MAIN Cars Car Repair & Maintenance How to Replace an Air Filter

Opinions differ on how often a car air filter need to be replaced. Where you live and how often you drive obviously effects how much dirt and dust your car is sucking in every day.

The rule of thumb to changing air filters is every 12,000 miles - or once a year - to keep your car running smoothly and at proper acceleration.

In studies, it's been shown that keeping it clean can improve acceleration time by around 6 to 11 percent.

No doubt about it, a clean air filter affects your car's performance. If your car is responding more slowly or your not getting the same pick up you're used to, a new air filter might be the answer.

Get back up to speed by following these step-by-step instructions:

How to Replace an Air Filter

• Open the hood, prop it up safely, and locate the filter housing (usually in a black plastic case secured with metal clips on the sides and/or wingnuts on top.)
  
  
• Use a flat-head screwdriver to flip the clips downward. If there are wingnuts on the top of the filter housing, carefully unscrew them and immediately place them in a pocket or some other place where they won't go missing.
  
  
• Remove the old filter and take note of how it sits in the housing (for when you replace it with the new air filter.)
  
  
• Put in the new filter and secure by pushing it down snuggly into the rubber gasket
  
  
• Put the casing back, flip the clips back and/or hand tighten the wingnuts, and you're done.

- What you'll need: new replacement air filter, and a flat-head screwdriver (optional)
- Cost: around $40.
- Time: 5-10 minutes

More about replacing car air filters around the Web:

How To Change Your Air Filter

How to Change Your Air Filter (w/video instructions)

How often should I replace my air filter?

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For informational purposes only. For complete expert advice,
see your car dealership or professional auto mechanic.