When should you change the air filter in your car?

The importance of air filters for car engines

Without a car air filter, the engine will quickly lose power, the creation of waste and carbon during operation will occur quickly, combined with dirt from the air affecting the engine will cause the engine to quickly deteriorate and have a short lifespan.

Air filtration is also one of the conditions for a vehicle to save fuel. If a vehicle has a good air filtration system, the fuel consumption will be less than a vehicle with a poor air filtration system.

Therefore, taking care of the air filter is a way to better preserve the car, and is also a way to save costs in replacing and using fuel on the car.

Signs you need to change your car's air filter

-Car consumes a lot of gas

When you discover that your car suddenly consumes more fuel than usual, it is one of the signs that the air filter in the car's engine is not working effectively, dirt accumulates, making the air not filtered clean, which leads to the engine needing more fuel to burn while operating.

In this case, you need to check the air filter. If the air filter is still good, you just need to clean it. If the air filter is badly damaged, you need to replace it with a new one to ensure working efficiency.

- Engine gets hot quickly

The rapid overheating of a car engine can be due to a lack of coolant or a problem with the cooling system. However, it can also be due to a damaged engine air filter, allowing dust and dirt to enter the engine compartment and combustion chamber, causing the engine to operate poorly and overheat.

In this case, you need to check both the cooling system and the air filter to find the exact cause. Add coolant if you see a lack of coolant; clean or replace the air filter if the cause of the problem is in this part.

- The engine often turns off suddenly, unstable power

When the engine air filter is damaged, torn and covered with dirt, it will cause the dirt to fill the filter's air vents, reducing the amount of air needed for the engine, leading to reduced engine power, creating a lot of carbon in the combustion chamber and spark plugs, causing the engine to often suddenly shut down.

At this time, you should check and replace the new air filter to ensure better vehicle operation and avoid serious damage.

- Car air conditioner is not cool, not cold enough, engine is hot

If the car has a phenomenon when the air conditioner is turned on but it is not cool or cool but not deep, there is an unpleasant smell in the car, the engine heats up quickly... that is a sign that the car's air conditioner filter has a problem. At this time, it is necessary to check, clean, and replace the air filter if necessary.

In addition, to ensure that the air filter on the car operates stably and has few problems, it is necessary to regularly check and clean the air filter periodically every 5,000 km/time and replace it after every 20,000 km/time. This number of km can change shorter or longer depending on the conditions of each person's vehicle use, but it should not be left for too long as it will cause other damage to the vehicle's systems.

How to clean air filter at home

Every driver can clean/replace the air filter themselves very simply and safely, following the instructions of auto experts.

Step 1: Locate the air filter in the engine compartment (usually located in a plastic, rectangular or circular box with a lid).

Step 2: Remove the filter. There are usually two ways to attach the air filter cover, one using a nut and one using a snap (usually 3-4 snaps). After removing all the nuts/snaps, carefully lift the filter cover and take the filter out.

Step 3: Clean the filter. Use compressed air nozzle, spray from inside (cleaner side) to outside (dirtier side). Note, do not wash with water, do not let grease stick to the surface or sharp objects puncture the filter fabric.

Step 4: Use a rag to clean the dust in the air filter box before installing the cleaned/new filter in the same direction as when removing and re-attaching the air filter box cover.