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Although many car repairs are best left to a professional mechanic, changing a car's air filter is one task that even the novice car repairman can complete themselves. If you're up to the challenge, this guide will teach you how to change an air filter.
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Although many car repairs are best left to a professional mechanic, changing a car's air filter is one task that even the novice car repairman can complete themselves. If you're up to the challenge, this guide will teach you how to change an air filter.
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Introduction
- Your air filter should be replaced every year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Failure to replace your air filter regularly can have an adverse effect on your gas mileage and can lead to a dirty engine, which, in turn, may affect the performance of your vehicle. Some mechanics will charge up to $30 over and above the cost of the air filter to replace it, but you can easily save this cash by making the change yourself.
Step 1: Gather Materials
- You'll only need a few basic tools to replace your vehicle's air filter:
- Two screwdrivers: A Phillips head and a flat head
- A wrench
- Your replacement air filter
Step 2: Remove the Old Filter
- Before you begin to do any work on your car's engine, allow the engine to cool if you have recently been driving the car. Next, you'll need to locate the air filter. If your car is over 20 years old, the air filter will be located in a circular casing atop the engine. If your car was made later than about the mid-1980s, the air filter will be located in a black plastic casing near the top of the engine. The casing may have the vehicle maker's name on it; regardless, it will be the largest non-metal engine part. Once you have located the air filter's casing, you'll have to remove it:
- Examine how the top of the casing is attached to the bottom: It will either be held on with metal clips, screws, or both
- If the casing is held in place with clips, slide your flat head screwdriver under the clips and gently pry them open
- If the casing is held in place with screws, remove them and place them in your pocket or somewhere else where they won't roll away or get lost
- If your filter casing is round, it will likely be held in place with a wing or standard nut. Use a wrench to remove the nut
- Remove the filter casing
- You should now see your air filter. Gently lift it out, trying to avoid allowing any debris in the filter from falling into the engine. As you remove the filter, make note of how it fits in to the casing so that you have a better idea of where and how to place the new filter
Step 3: Put in the New Filter
- Believe it or not, the hard part is over. All you have to do now is put in your new filter and replace the screws, nut, or clips that you removed or opened when you removed the old filter. The filter should easily in the casing and the casing cover should fit on snugly, but without any forcing. If the filter does not fit properly, you may have bought the wrong one. Luckily, it is safe to drive your car a short distance without an air filter, so you can zip over to your local auto parts store and buy the correct one if need be.
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