How often to change the engine air filter: rules and recommendations

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In order for the car to work efficiently, its maximum power, it is necessary to carry out periodic maintenance. During this action, several operations are performed. One of them is to replace the air filter. This is an important detail, which directly affects the power of the car, as well as the amount of fuel it consumes.

In order for the machine's systems to work like a Swiss watch, you need to know how often the engine air filter is changed. This process can be done on your own. This will save on visiting a specialized center.

Purpose of the air filter

To understand how often the engine air filter is changed, you must first find out the purpose of this part. This element is present in any model of the machine. It prevents dust and road dirt from entering the combustion chamber of the engine. If there were no filter, foreign particles would enter the motor and interfere with its operation.

During fuel combustion, oxygen is consumed (after all, this process is impossible without it). For 100 kmrun the engine consumes 12-15 m³ of air. Therefore, monitoring the condition of the filter is extremely important. Over time, the dust clogs inside it. The motor cannot run at full power. More fuel is consumed than with a new filter.

Also, the air filter, in addition to the listed functions, performs the function of a silencer. In gasoline engines, it also regulates the heating temperature of the fuel.

Main types of filters

When asking how often to change the engine air filter, you should also consider the types of this part. There are three types in total. The filter is easy to find under the hood. This element is located at the top of the engine (sometimes on the side). It looks like a dark colored plastic case.

There are cylindrical, frameless or panel filters. Due to certain features of the operation of this element, each manufacturer chooses one or another variety.

The most common material from which such parts are made is cardboard. But in many countries, synthetic fiber materials are considered preferable. Manufacturers must indicate the frequency with which these elements must be replaced.

Classification

Considering how often the engine air filter in a car is changed, it should be said that there are several classifications of these parts. To choose the right one or the othervariety, you need to choose the appropriate option for a particular car.

Filters vary in shape. They can be flat, square, round, etc. According to the method of filtration, direct-flow, inertial-oil, and cyclone are distinguished. Depending on the operating conditions, there may be heavy or conventional cleaners. Filters also differ in the level of their deterrent capabilities. They are single or multi-stage.

This diversity is due to the constant development of technologists in the field of extending the performance of the car. New views on the problem of providing high-quality air purification are constantly emerging. But older car models work with filter versions that were developed by the manufacturer during the vehicle's production period.

Replacement factors

When looking at how often an engine's air filter should be changed, consider the factors that affect it. In some cases, cleaning elements become clogged faster than indicated by the manufacturer in the instruction manual. This may be due to the severe operating conditions of the engine.

During the summer season, the dust from the road rises more strongly. If the vehicle is driven in snow, the air filter becomes clogged much more slowly. Also, in addition to dirt from the external environment, engine oil can get on the cleaner. This also leads to the need to replacethis motor element.

When the engine is new, it runs in a relatively clean environment and needs to be replaced much less frequently. For high mileage vehicles that drive on dusty roads, this process will need to be done more frequently.

Manufacturer recommendation

There are clear manufacturer recommendations for the cleaner. The instructions provide all the necessary information about how much this element can be used. Therefore, before servicing the engine, it is necessary to look into the accompanying documentation and familiarize yourself with the statements set out there.

It happens that the cleaner did not have time to get dirty for the mileage indicated in the instructions. In this case, the question may arise as to how often a clean engine air filter is changed. The unequivocal answer will be the generally accepted opinion that in this case it is possible to continue to operate the purifier.

Usually, in domestic cars, the filter needs to be replaced every 10 thousand kilometers. For new car models, this figure can increase to 20-30 thousand km. The newer the car, the less often you will need to change this part.

Signs for replacement

If the owner of the vehicle did not pay attention to the recommendations on how often to change the car engine air filter, characteristic signs of engine malfunction will appear over time. This should not be allowed.

First of all, the driver may notice an increased consumption of the combustible mixture. When the filter is dirty, the fuel inside the motor begins to enrich, which leads to insufficient power of the mechanism. For combustion to take place properly, it needs sufficient air.

The next sign is the appearance of a large amount of carbon dioxide in the exhaust masses. If this results in a reduction in engine power, it is time for an immediate inspection. If even after the appearance of such signs, the owner of the car does not take any measures to maintain the filter elements, he will soon have to change the engine.

Danger of the old filter

Experienced technicians give advice on how often to change the engine air filter. Expert recommendations indicate the need for a one-time use of this element. Even if the driver flushes the cleaner, this does not guarantee its effectiveness. Even the outwardly light filter, which the owner of the car receives after washing the material, still remains unusable.

Particles remaining in the structure of such a device will adversely affect the electronic control system for supplying air into the combustion chamber. In this case, the flow meter suffers first of all. It will have to be changed soon.

The recycled filter harms the combustion chamber. Microscopic scratches appear on the pistons, the walls of the sleeves. Then they become cracks. Over time, this can damage the entire engine.

How to change the filter

Considering how oftenyou can change the engine air filter, it should be said about the very procedure of this process. If necessary, contact the technical service. To save money, it is quite possible to do all the steps yourself. There is no difficulty in this.

The hood needs to be opened. The filter is usually made of dark plastic. It is located at the top or side of the motor. The body of the cleaner is held by several metal clips. Open them with a screwdriver. The filter is easy to get out of the housing. In some cases, it is fixed with screws. In this case, they are simply unscrewed.

The filter material is usually bright, so that drivers can judge the degree of pollution for themselves. By looking at the purifier in the light, you can easily determine the need for replacement.

Expert advice

Experienced motorists are ready to give advice on how often to change the engine air filter. They recommend combining this procedure with changing the engine oil. As a rule, this happens once every 10-15 km of run. In this case, it will be possible to service the entire engine, ensuring its long reliable operation.

In order for the procedure to go quickly, you must first read the manufacturer's instructions, understand the structure of the engine. It is necessary to purchase an air filter in accordance with the brand of your car. More modern devices may also be on sale. But before buying them, you need to determine whether such filters are suitable for the system of a particular motor model.

Also, experts advise againstsave on the purchase of such spare parts. After all, the operation of the entire motor depends on the quality of the filter. It will be very expensive to repair or even replace it.

A few more features

There are a few more subtleties in the question of how often the engine air filter is changed. Depending on the type of motor, there are some recommendations about the frequency of this process. If the engine is new, not operated under severe conditions, then the oil is changed more often than the air filter. The cleaner is put in a new one every time when lubricants are filled.

Turbo-charged diesel engines require a more serious attitude to such a procedure. Features of the operation of such mechanisms require a reduction in the duration of the operation of the air filter. For diesel engines, machines with a turbine, the oil and filter are changed every time during maintenance.

The cost of repairing or purchasing a new motor today is very high. Therefore, it is better to change the air filter in time, perform maintenance regularly. The cost of such a procedure is incomparable with the possible losses caused by the failure of the car engine.