Car and Truck Air Filters
Air filters, also known as air cleaners, are essential parts that keep your vehicle running properly. Both the cabin and engine filters should be changed regularly to optimize your car’s performance and keep your car’s air clean. Choosing the right air filter for your car or truck is essential for it to function properly.
What does an air filter do?Air filters keep dirt and other debris from harming your car or truck. Vehicles will have the following types of filters:
- Engine filter: This keeps harmful elements such as dirt and debris from entering your car’s intake.
- Cabin filter: This keeps dust, mold, dirt, and other particles from entering your car’s heating and air conditioning systems.
A fresh engine air filter will keep your intake working properly. This can improve your car or truck’s efficiency and overall performance. A clean cabin air cleaner will keep your cabin air fresh. To keep your vehicle performing at its peak, filters should to be changed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If you drive your car or truck on unpaved roads or live in an area with poor air quality, you may need to change the filters more often. Your car’s service manual will also have guidelines for how often to change the filters.
How do you choose the correct air filter?Filters are custom fit to the make and model of your car or truck. Choose the replacement filters that are designed to fit your particular make and model. Your car’s service manual will have the specifics as to what air filters your vehicle needs.
How do you change the cabin air filter?The exact location of your cabin air cleaner depends on the make and model of your car or truck. Typically, they are found in the glove compartment or beneath the dashboard. These filters can be replaced without using any tools; you simply pull out the old filter and insert the new one. Occasionally, cabin filters are under the hood, and to access it you may need to remove parts, such as wiper blades or the washer bottle. Your car’s service manual will give you the exact location of the cabin air filter, which may also be referred to as an air cleaner or filtration system.
How do you change the engine air filter?To change your engines air filter, follow these steps:
- Open the hood and locate the air filter housing.
- Take off the top of the housing.
- Remove the old filter.
- Insert the new filter.