How often to change your air filter car

Good question! When replacing your car’s air filter, you should check your owner’s manual for recommended change times. Different cars may have different needs, but the general rule is that you should swap out your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles.

However, it’s important to clarify that your car actually has two air filters. They both serve distinct purposes and should be changed periodically for the sake of health, safety, and driving performance.

Cabin air filters collect pollen and dust that might come inside through the air conditioning, heating, or ventilation systems. Your problem is likely related to the cabin air filter. Changing this filter is especially important if you live in an area with poor air quality.

Engine air filters stop particles of dust and dirt from getting into your engine. It’s hard to make a universal rule for changing your engine filter because the recommended time varies from car to car. However, it may be a good idea to get your filter checked if you’ve driven more than 30,000 miles without changing it. Clogged engine filters can lead to decreased mileage, lower acceleration, and higher emissions.

Alternatively, clogged cabin filters could damage your air conditioning system. Failure to replace air filters can be pricey and rarely covered by insurance. However, policy add-ons like mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI) may provide coverage, depending on your provider’s definition of wear and tear.

If MBI sounds like a must-have, try calling your insurance provider and asking if they offer it. Make sure to ask about its range of coverage and any exclusions before making a final decision.

If you can’t find what you need at your current provider, check out the Jerry app. We’ll get you customized quotes from top insurers in seconds, so that all you need to do is pick the plan that works best for you. And once you pick one, we’ll even help you switch!

Best of luck with getting that air filter taken care of!

Updated: October 23, 2022

The engine air filter should be replaced when it's dirty or every 20,000-25,000 miles depending on the driving conditions. If you have a turbocharged engine or often drive on unpaved roads, change the air filter more often. The air filter should also be replaced every 3-4 years regardless of the mileage, as with age it becomes brittle and can tear apart. If in doubt, ask your repair shop to check the condition of the air filter during your next oil change service.

The air that enters your engine flows through the air filter. The engine air filter catches sand and other debris protecting your engine and helping it last longer. The air filter is installed inside the air filter box. It's made of pleated paper-like material. The air flows from the bottom up, so the dirt and larger objects are trapped in the box under the filter.

As the air filter gets dirty and gradually clogs up, it restricts the air flow into the engine. This adds strain to your engine, making it harder for it to "breathe." Due to increased vacuum, some dirt particles could be sucked through the filter and scratch the engine pistons and cylinder walls. For the same reason, the engine may start consuming more oil. Having a clean air filter is even more important if you have a turbocharged engine.

Symptoms of a dirty air filter include a lack of power on hard acceleration and at higher RPMs, although it's not always noticeable.

The fuel economy may also be affected, although not by much. In extreme cases, the "Check Engine" warning light may illuminate on the dash.

The air filter is inspected during your regular oil changes. Your mechanic can check its condition and let you know if it needs to be replaced. It the filter looks clean, leave it; if it's very dirty, change it. Anything in between is a judgement call. Some mechanics test the condition of the air filter by looking through it at the light source; if no light is visible through the filter, it must be replaced.

For example, compare these two air filters in the photo below. The filter on the right was changed one year ago, but the owner of this Honda drives over 24,000 miles a year. Now it does look dirty, so the owner decided to replace it again.

If you want to check it yourself, your vehicle's owner's manual has the engine compartment map. In some cars, to open an air filter box you will need some tools, like an 8-mm or 10-mm socket or a screwdriver. In other cars, the air filter box cover is held by a few clips. In most cars, it's not a very difficult job. Whenever an air filter is replaced, it's a good idea to clean any debris that may have accumulated inside the air filter box.
If you change your air filter yourself, make sure it fits properly and the air box is closed tight after the job is done. If the air filter box is not closed properly, the Check Engine light may come on.

Replacing an air filter in the repair shop is not very expensive: $10-$30 labor plus $19-$45 part.
Is it important to have an air filter replaced at a dealer or can a fast lube shop do the job? Replacing an air filter is fairly easy in most cars and can be done in any repair shop, however using a factory (OEM) part from a dealer will ensure that it fits properly. If you opt for an aftermarket part, invest a little extra for a premium brand for better engine protection.

Are washable air filters better? If it's a high-quality filter and is installed properly and cleaned regularly, it will work. However, we have seen problems related to washable filters or their installation. We also know cases where having a washable air filter caused some issues with the warranty coverage. Considering this, we recommend doing some research before and keeping the OEM filter and the hardware if you do install a washable filter. The air filter is not an expensive part, but it does a very important job of protecting the engine. We prefer using OEM air filters.

Is it necessary to replace a cabin (pollen) filter whenever an engine air filter is replaced? It's not necessary, however if the engine air filter is dirty, the cabin filter is likely to be in the same condition.