Why It's Important To Check or Replace Your Engine Air Filter

Checking and replacing a car's engine air filter is often overlooked. You may even be able to DIY a car's air filter with no tools. Today we look at why checking and or replacing your engine air filter is so important. A dirty air filter can lead to reduced performance in your car.

~This shop has been compensated by FRAM. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerCarCare

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[rudolfhuijs]

Recently watched a ProjectFarm video in which the guy tests and compares 6 air filter brands, including K&N, Fram, purolator. Fram got the 2nd lowest rating. I only replace my B5.5 Passat with Man filter made in Germany. Other option is Mahle.
One tip: I write the mileage in the filter itself with a Sharpie or pencil, as well as in the service record.
Stay safe.

[KingsportMan]

A dirty engine air filter can be vacuumed out with a vacuum cleaner a few times. Debris has a tendency to settle in the grooves of the filter. That junk is really what needs to be cleaned out to improve airflow. Any used air filter is going to look dirty. That doesn't mean it needs to be replaced immediately. Washing a dirty engine air filter made of paper would be a bad idea.

[peterrudy]

You could use a wet/dry vacuum to clean out the fair filter housing . And / or all purpose spray cleaner, Spray Nine and a microfiber towel .

[gaborhardy]

Good info and clear directions. Maybe talk a bit more on what a dirty air cleaner looks like.

[KingsportMan]

There is a difference between an engine air filter and a cabin air filter. Some people had bought a cabin air filter. They didn't understand why that type of filter did not fit where the engine air filter belongs. I doubt a person would need to replace the cabin air filter unless someone usually smokes cigarettes inside the vehicle. The cabin air filter is located behind the glove compartment.

[buesonavy]

it is possible that the car engine overheat because I have not change my engine air filter? I have a 2009 tiguan and recently the needle start going after the middle sligtly I got scared and turned on the heater and inmediately came down to normal, somebody told me it might be the engine air filter?? txs

[Tilet_Real]

Would a dirty air filter cause the car to jerk when accelerating over 3000 rpm? or cause rumbling when stopped?

[Boz]

one you took out was almost new. engine air filters last very long in my experience, while my cabin air filter gets dirty very quickly. and i would say im driving in average driving conditions

[touchdownsgame]

I got my 3rd dui and my wife left me. was this because of dirty air flighter or spoodervalve?

[GarthGoldberg]

Charles: I had some oil on my air filter, and you said it might be a bad PCV valve. You were right. I changed the PCV valve and noticed the driveability difference right away. Idle is better, and on/off throttle transition is a lot smoother.

Should I change the filter (which wasn't that old) because it got some oil on it?

[troytavarez]

🙂Thank you so much for the advice 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[jaredj.]

Nice vid! quick and straight to the point....I have a rather odd question, I had a new timing belt, waterpump, etc put on my car...including the thermostat and air filter and oil change. Now I have the strangest thing with my 2000 opel vectra. When the car is warm and I drive 55-60 mph for about 5 mins onwards at this speed and push in the clutch to either brake or down shift- the tacho for my RPM drops to 0 and the car dies. It will start right back up or I simply let the clutch out, but any idea as to why the idle is not catching and keeping it at 6-900 rpms? I'm guess crank shaft sensor, or the timing was not done properly. but either way its driving me crazy so any help would be much appreciated.

[MarzNet]

Just keep a service and repair log in a notes app on your phone. Makes things so easy.

[ron]

Would the map air sensor or other air intake sensor cause hesitation when going up a slight elevated hill, and or under any load, cause random missfire? Im not getting any codes and computer working ok. I changed ignition module under coil pack, no change in condition cept slightly. Seems worst when engine is hot. Mechanic drove car and said it was fine but as iv stated it is random but i can 95% get it to miss. Also i can tell while idling it randomly misses. Seems a good Ole mech does the same. Like tuning an instrument.

[ArizonaLizardMan]

I just want to know what is bad and needs changing looks like. I know what clean looks like I just don't think mine looks that bad right now but Idk.

[Mr.MSTER]

It makes sense to change your air filter every service. They are so cheap and easy to fit. The worst air filter I ever saw was on a 02 Mitsubishi Charisma. The guy had the car roughly 10 years and said "Oh I didn't know that air filters ever had to be changed" The air filter was literally black.

[mohdfarzankhan]

Can I check air filter with torch light not passes and not give reflection to other side means its choke I'm right 👍 or not

[buesonavy]

everythingis up to date oil change recently done, all liquids etc, hot weather now so is getting really hot any ideas??

[Evolvedmindz]

Im a tech in Houston and if we check air filters once a year here we would have alot of blown up cars every other oil change!!! I notice a difference in my car after 3 to 4k miles

[cookiehead]

I changed my last one after 20, 000 miles and it was still pretty clean.