Your car requires air just as much as it does fuel; air filters keep dust and insects out of the engine. To maintain air flowing freely and your automobile running at its optimum, replace or clean your air filter at the recommended interval. You can perform this routine maintenance yourself because air filters are affordable and easy to replace.
Step 1
If you need help identifying the correct filter for your vehicle's airbox, go to an auto parts store or go to the company's website. To get the greatest engine life and fuel efficiency out of your vehicle, try to get the OEM filter that came with it.
Step 2
Make sure the vehicle is secure. Apply the parking brake and park the automobile on flat ground. Turn off the ignition and shift into first gear (manual gearbox) or Park (automatic transmission).
Step 3
With the lever on the inside of the car, open the bonnet. To complete the release, move the external bonnet catch. Lift the bonnet and use the prop rod to secure it (if necessary).
Step 4
Find the air box. Typically, the air box housing is located near the engine, following a duct that runs from the front of the vehicle.
Step 5
Remove the hose clamp that seals the air conduct and loosen it. Remove all of the screws that keep the air filter cover in place. Some air filters feature wing nuts, while others are simply glued on with a quick-release system. So you can find screws and other parts later, keep them together and in a safe place. Lift the cover off the lower half of the housing by pulling it out of the air conduit. If you don't know how to lift the cover, seek assistance from a mechanic.
Step 6
A round or rectangular filter consisting of cotton, paper, or gauze may now be seen. The interior of the unit is sealed by a rubber rim on the filters. Simply remove the filter from the housing by lifting it out.
Step 7
Connect the air hose to the compressor and blast out the dust with compressed air, or vacuum out any dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Step 8
Remove the old filter and replace it with a fresh one. Simply place it into the housing, rubber rim facing up. Ensure that the rubber rim seals the edges.
Step 9
Replace the cover in the air conduit with care, then press the entire piece against the lower part of the air filter unit.
Step 10
Check the filter regularly to keep the dust out of your car's breathing system.
Step 11
Every 50,000 km (30,000 miles), or roughly once a year, replace the filter. It will need to be replaced more frequently if you drive in a dusty environment. Recommendations for your car should be found in your owner's manual or in a periodic maintenance guide.
Replacing a clogged air filter can increase fuel efficiency and improve acceleration, depending on your car make and model. When you realise that, it makes sense to regularly replace your air filters.
How can an air filter make so much difference? A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your car’s engine, making it work harder and, therefore, using more fuel. As your engine needs more than 10,000 litres of oxygen to burn every litre of fuel, it’s important not to restrict this air flow.
Dirty or damaged air filters reduce the air flow to the engine, changing your car’s air-fuel balance. This imbalance can pollute spark plugs, causing the engine to miss or rough idle; increase engine depositions; and cause the ‘Service Engine’ light to turn on. More importantly, the imbalance also has a direct impact on your car’s exhaust emissions, contributing to the pollution of your surrounding environment.
A particle as small as a grain of salt can get through a damaged air filter and do a lot of damage to internal engine parts, such as cylinders and pistons, which can be very expensive to repair. That’s why regularly replacing your air filter is so important. A clean air filter is designed to capture dirt and debris from the outside air, preventing them from reaching the combustion chamber and reducing the likelihood of you receiving a large repair bill.