Where is the vehicle air filter located?
2 Answers
The location of the car's air filter element varies depending on the intake form and engine structure. It is generally located in the air cleaner on the engine intake pipe. There are two types of air filters in cars: dry and wet. The dry type is made of paper or organic materials, while the wet type is made of metal mesh. The air filter should be replaced every 10,000-20,000 kilometers or during each maintenance interval. However, it is recommended to clean the air filter every 5,000 kilometers to reduce the formation of throttle sludge. Function of the air filter: It filters out particulate impurities in the air, ensuring that sufficient clean air enters the cylinder and preventing floating dust in the air from being sucked into the engine, which accelerates the wear of the piston group and cylinder. Air filter: It is a type of filter, also known as an air filter cartridge, air cleaner, or style. It is mainly used in engineering vehicles, cars, agricultural vehicles, laboratories, sterile operating rooms, and various precision operating rooms as an air filter. During operation, the engine inhales a large amount of air. If the air is not filtered, the suspended dust in the air will be sucked into the cylinder, accelerating the wear of the piston group and cylinder. Larger particles entering between the piston and cylinder can cause severe cylinder scoring, especially in dry and sandy working environments. The air cleaner is installed in front of the carburetor or intake pipe to filter out dust and sand particles in the air, ensuring sufficient and clean air enters the cylinder. Dirty air cleaner: Using an excessively dirty air cleaner while driving can cause insufficient engine intake, incomplete fuel combustion, leading to unstable engine operation, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. Therefore, the car must maintain a clean air cleaner. The car air cleaner is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air, consisting of one or several clean air filter components. Its main function is to filter out harmful impurities in the air before it enters the cylinder, reducing early wear of the cylinder, piston, piston rings, valves, and valve seats. Therefore, before air enters the cylinder, it must first pass through the fine filtration of the air cleaner. An excessively dirty air cleaner can cause poor engine performance, excessive fuel consumption, and engine damage. When inspecting the air cleaner, if you find little dust and mild clogging, you can use high-pressure air to blow it clean from the inside out and continue using it. An excessively dirty air cleaner should be replaced promptly.
I remember the first time I changed the air filter myself, it was quite easy—it's inside that big black plastic box in the engine bay. Usually, you can spot it connected to the intake pipe once you pop the hood, looking like a rectangular lid. Just loosen the clips with a screwdriver or even by hand, gently pull the lid open, and there lies the filter. Back when I drove an older car, I’d check it every six months because clogged dust makes the engine work harder and increases fuel consumption. The manual mentioned that locations might vary slightly between cars, like SUVs possibly having it near the front wheels, but generally, it’s around that area. DIY replacement saves money—a new filter costs just over ten bucks, and it’s a five-minute job. The key is ensuring smooth airflow so the engine runs happily.
