You should check your car's air filter at least once a year. Many people choose to replace the filter right away, but some mechanics suggest that an air filter can last between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. Depending on how much you drive, you may not reach those numbers in a year. To help you stay on top of your vehicle maintenance, here are some tips and suggestions from Jiffy Lube.
This is a practical, functional and surprisingly great gift. Here are some tips and suggestions on how to keep your life running smoothly, at least when it comes to getting from point A to points B, C, D and E. Jiffy Lube has the vehicle maintenance tips you need to keep you on the road. Everyone has questions when it comes to preventive maintenance. Access all the information you need about your vehicle, all on your mobile device.
Get service quotes quickly, find service recommendations, and access current and past services for your vehicle. Allow your local Jiffy Lube equipment to provide routine preventive maintenance to help keep your car, SUV, minivan or truck running as designed. This way, a small problem can be corrected before it becomes a costly repair. Now you know how often to change the car's air filter, but what about the cabin filter? Here's an article that tells you what you do and how to maintain it. In addition to the blog posts, Tips in a Jiffy has videos with car care tips.
Your owner's manual is a good starting point. Most automakers will recommend replacing the air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. However, there are individual conditions that need to be considered. The frequency with which the engine air filter will need to be replaced varies. Maintenance schedules for different vehicle brands differ in how often the air filter needs to be changed.
On most Chevrolet engines, for example, the recommended change interval is every 45,000 miles, but Ford says it should be done every 30,000 miles on many of its engines. Hyundai also says every 30,000 miles, but shortens it to 15,000 for “severe” driving conditions such as heavy traffic in hot climates and frequent driving on unpaved roads or dusty conditions. These rules will apply to other brands as well. If you drive in such conditions, it will often be necessary to replace the air filter before. A dirty engine air filter will usually look dirty with dirt, dust or stains visible inside the folds. The easiest way to know for sure how often to change your engine air filter is to consult the maintenance section of the owner's manual or simply Google the manufacturer's recommended service interval. Some mechanics will recommend that you change the cabin air filter during your routine shop visit for regular maintenance.
Another common sign that an air filter needs to be changed is when you notice odors in your vehicle. Technicians love this kind of thing and will be happy to help you first decide how often to change the car's air filter and then replace it with a new filter based on the manufacturer's recommendations. However, you should be careful if every time you change the oil, the repair shop says you also need a new air filter. According to Prokopenko, the air filter is “one of the most overlooked maintenance items in a car”. There are some telltale signs that will indicate it's time to replace your vehicle's air filter.
The good news is that most engine air filters are easy to access and you can check their location in your owner's manual if you need help. The filter helps keep the air free of dirt, bugs and debris that may be dragged into your car's intake system. This removes dust, pollen, air pollution and other airborne particles from the air before they enter the engine. To locate the engine air cleaner housing look for a large plastic housing usually black that sits above or to one side of the engine. If the air conditioner blows weakly even with the highest fan setting then it may be clogged.
The purpose of an engine air filter is to prevent dust dirt and other environmental contaminants from entering the engine.
