How to Replace Your Air Filter

Changing the air filter should be part of any major tune-up, but if you drive on dirt roads or in other dusty conditions, you will need to replace it more frequently. On most cars, this is a fairly simple procedure.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New Air Filter
• Rag
• Phillips Screwdriver

1. Pop the hood and find the air-filter housing. It will be either square (on fuel-injected engines) or round (on older carbureted engines) and about 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter.

2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws or clamps that hold on the top of the housing.

3. 

   Take out the old air filter (see illustration) and clean any dirt and debris from the housing with a clean rag.

4. Put the new air filter in.

5. Screw or clamp the lid of the air-filter housing back on.

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[fadil.salih]

on 8/17/2008 We use compressed air from the tyre repair shop to clean the paper air filters. The time inerval between cleans depends on the driving environment; fortnightly would be reasonalbe for towners.
Another way is to bathe the air paper filter into a bucket of water and liquid or powder soap for around 10 minutes. Then move it up and down the water several times until it seems clean. You may need to change the water and soap according to the dirt level of the filter. Use the compressed air to dry it before use, otherwise let it out in the air to dry.

on 8/22/2006 These filters do not always have the filtering capacity of the OEM filter! Also, any excess filter oiling will contaminate the MAF (if equipped) of a gasoline FI engine. Very little oil is really needed to treat these filters. A diesel (such as the PS Ford) can suck an overly dirty filter right through the turbocharger causing serious damage.

on 7/22/2007 Another good way to make your air filter last is to actually use a vacuum cleaner. Simply take the filter out and with the small attachments from the vacuum, suck out the dust and dirt. Good as new and it will make your filter last a littler longer.

on 11/22/2005 K&N reusable air filters cost more than disposable filters, but if cared for correctly, they can last for over 50,000 miles.