Thursday, January 13, 2011

Replacing Your Car’s Air Filter

It seems odd that so many people pay to have this done at a shop when they can easily do this at home with most cars.  Why is this important to do once a year?  A dirty or clogged air filter can decrease gas mileage and overall performance.

Your only cost is that of the air filter itself, which varies based on the model of car.  Some are as little as $10, some are much more.  You will want to buy a filter that is specifically designed for your car.  Any large auto parts store will have a huge variety of options, most likely containing what you need.

When I did this, my hands got pretty dirty – so if you are the tidy type, you will want to wear gloves for this. 

-  The first step is to location the air filter compartment, usually a box that is black in color and contains a hose that connects to the engine.  Usually they are a good size and easy to locate.  See your owner’s manual if you need help finding it, or go online for images.

-  Then remove the clips on the air box. When you open it up, you will find the filter.  Some are round, some are rectangular.  Simply remove your air filter.  Be sure to make a mental note of how it was situated.

-  Place the new air filter inside, then close the air box.  That is it!  Very easy, and saves you a few bucks on labor costs. 
 

If you want to see this for a better demonstration, here is a brief video to help you out: 

 


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