Performing regular car maintenance is the key to many happy years of driving. And one simple task that can have a big impact is changing your air filter. Many people don’t realize how vital this single car part can be. Some people don’t realize that their car has not one but two air filters. Learn more about your air filters and how often you should change them.
Every Car is Different
Many people think they should change their air filters after a certain number of miles regardless of their car model. However, this method could mean you don’t change your air filters often enough. You also risk changing the air filters before necessary, which could be costly.
Your owner’s manual is the best place to start when figuring out how often to change the air filters. If you no longer have your owner’s manual, a quick online search of your car’s make and model can help you. You might be surprised that some manuals recommend changing the air filters every 15,000 miles. Others may recommend a much longer gap of 45,000 miles.
And Every Driver is Different
Other factors to consider when changing your air filters are where you drive and how often. If you commute long distances daily on crowded roads, you’ll probably notice your air filters getting dirty more quickly. In addition, a scorching summer can cause you to run your air conditioning more. Using the AC more also speeds up how quickly the filters get dirty and clogged.
How to Determine if You Need to Change Your Air Filters
There are several ways you can figure out when it’s time to change your filters. While your owner’s manual is a good guide, you can also do a visual check. Your filters should be white or off-white. Air filters that are past their prime will often be dark gray. The filters may also have visible debris on them. Remember that you have an air filter in your engine area and a cabin air filter. As a result, you will need to check both. However, it’s normal to change both air filters simultaneously.
If you are unsure if your filters are dirty enough, you can ask your service technician for help. Most people can find their air filters without much trouble. There are often videos online that show you how to find your car’s air filters and check them. However, if you don’t know how to find them in your car, ask your service technician to show you the next time you bring your car in for service.
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Partner with a Trusted Technician for Your Car Maintenance
While you can do a lot of car maintenance on your own, it always helps to have a trusted service technician guide you. Our service technicians at Huber Motor Cars in Fredericksburg, Virginia, are professional and experienced. They’ll check every part of your car and make sure you get your filters changed when you need them. Make an appointment today, and breathe easier on your next drive.
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