Keeping the air filters of your car in good shape is crucial to keeping your car running, as they ensure that both the air you breathe in the cabin and the air that reaches the engine is clean. But how do you know when to change those filters?
When to Change Engine Air Filters
Engine air filters clean the air heading towards the engine, where it will help the fuel to burn efficiently. The filters need to keep this air as pure as possible, so the tightwoven fibers are able to capture particles as small as 5-10 microns. However, even enough of those will eventually clog up these filters, and the filter will need to be replaced. For most vehicles, the recommendation is to swap your air filter every 12-15,000 miles, or once a year, whichever comes first, though it may be more frequent if you drive in a particularly dusty or polluted area.
If you have concerns about your filter, you can always just take a look at it. If it is visibly clogged, then it is definitely time for a replacement. Additionally, if you start to notice your car is slow to accelerate, you are smelling gasoline, your check engine light is on, and/or your engine is misfiring, these can be signs that your engine is not getting the oxygen it needs. Check on your filter, or have Pearson Auto take a look for you.
When to Change Cabin Air Filters
A car’s cabin filter prevents dirt, pollen, even bugs from entering the cabin along with the air you breathe. But, as to be expected, by blocking these things and keeping them from coming in, they start to clog up the filters. They can even start to grow mold or mildew if they get especially waterlogged, which certainly does not help the air quality, so it’s important to change the cabin air filter on time.
We at Pearson advise changing the cabin filter at the same interval as your engine filter — every year, or every 12-15,000 miles, whichever comes first — to keep things easy and up to date. However, if you start to notice that the air coming through your vents has a moldy or rotten smell, your vents are producing less air, or you’re finding things are making it past the filters, then it is definitely time to change, regardless of your last maintenance check. Additionally, like the engine filter, you can always find the filter — the location varies depending on the vehicle — and give it a visual check to see how clogged or dirty it is to determine if it’s time to replace.
Pearson Auto Can Replace Your Car Filters
Are you coming up on your annual milestone? Or have you forgotten the last time your car filters were replaced? Pearson Auto doesn’t judge, and we’re here to help. We just want you and your car happy and healthy out there on the road, and we have the filters you need. Just give us a call or swing by for your car filter replacements.