5 Easy Steps to Replace Your Engine’s Air Filter
You don’t need to be a professional mechanic to perform basic maintenance on your car. For simple tasks like changing air filters, all you need is a helpful guide — like this one! Here’s how you can replace an engine air filter on your car, truck, or SUV in five easy steps. It’ll save you about $30 and only takes a couple of minutes.
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Step 1: Purchase a new filter
You need a brand-new filter to replace the old one you’re throwing away. You can buy it at any car part store for around $15. To determine the correct filter model — since there are a hundred different ones — you can use the reference guide provided at the store. Look up your car’s manufacturer, year, and model; that’ll give you the correct product number.
Step 2: Pop the hood
Let your car cool off for an hour before popping the hood and going to work. It’s dangerous to work on your car when it’s been recently driven since the engine is still hot. Once it’s cooled off, lift the hood and find the old air filter. Its housing looks like a black plastic box sitting near the motor with a large duct running out of it.
Step 3: Remove the old air filter
Unclasp the metal locks on the housing and remove the entire filter. If it’s been a while since the filter has been replaced, it’ll be dirty and filled with debris. Chuck that thing in the trash!
Step 4: Clean up
Before you shove the new filter in, take a moment to clean out the housing. Use a vacuum to remove any debris that’s settled in the crevices.
Step 5: Slide the new engine air filter in
Insert the new filter with the rim facing up, and make sure the rubber rim seals all edges. It should fit as snugly as the old filter did. Then, snap the cover back into place and replace all screws or clamps.
Your car needs clean air just as much as we do. Air filters keep your car’s engine free of bugs and dust, so replace yours every year to keep air flowing and your car running smoothly and fuel efficiency high.
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Aaron is unashamed to be a native Clevelander and the proud driver of a Hyundai Veloster Turbo (which recently replaced his 1995 Saturn SC-2). He gleefully utilizes his background in theater, literature, and communication to dramatically recite his own articles to nearby youth. Mr. Widmar happily resides in Dayton, Ohio with his magnificent wife, Vicki, but is often on the road with her exploring new destinations. Aaron has high aspirations for his writing career but often gets distracted pondering the profound nature of the human condition and forgets what he was writing… See more articles by Aaron.