How Often to Change Your Engine Air Filter

It’s generally agreed upon that it’s a good idea to install a new engine air filter at least once every 30,000 to every 45,000 miles, or roughly every three to four years. Knowing how often you should change an engine air filter can go a long way to protecting your engine, so it’s wise to not skip this important step. If you have any questions about when to change your engine air filter, you can either take a look at your owner’s manual, or contact our service center today near North Myrtle Beach. Not sure how long it has been, then schedule service today and let our team handle it. 

What Does an Engine Air Filter Do?

Your engine pulls in air from the outside world and uses it to combust the fuel in your chamber. The engine air filter ensures that this air is free of dirt, dust, sand, and other contaminants that could hinder ignition or cause grime to build up in your engine. Since the engine air filter is responsible for filtering out whatever is in the air, it stands to reason that more frequent engine air filter replacement is warranted in some cases. 

If you regularly drive in an area with many allergens, lots of dirt or gravel roads, or polluted air near Conway, it may be a good idea to visit our service center more often than your owner’s manual recommends. Keep in mind that your engine air filter and your cabin air filter are two different components with two different purposes. You’ll need to replace both on schedule.

Signs of An Expired Cabin Air Filter

Perhaps you’re not sure when your current cabin air filter was installed. If you’ve recently purchased a used vehicle, you’ll want to be on the lookout for the following signs of a dying air filter:

• Sluggish acceleration
• Misfiring spark plugs
• Black smoke from the exhaust
• Check engine light

Continuing to drive with an expired engine air filter will prevent your vehicle’s air intake from functioning properly, potentially lowering your gas mileage. It will also cause increasing amounts of grime to build up in your combustion chamber, potentially leading to damage or costly repairs.

Can You Replace Your Engine Air Filter at Home?

We’re more than happy to inspect your cabin air filter and install a new, manufacturer-approved air filter at our service center, just a short drive from Surfside Beach. However, since the engine air filter is usually easy to access, you might feel comfortable replacing it on your own. Here’s what to do:

1. Check your owner’s manual to find out where your engine air filter is located.
2. If it’s in a spot that you can reach without too much trouble, pick up an approved air filter from our parts department.
3. Making the switch is as easy as popping out the old air filter and installing the new one—just make sure that you have a garbage bag at the ready, or you’ll end up spreading dust and contaminants over everything nearby.

Trust Our Team To Keep You Running Smoothly

Myrtle Beach Chrysler Jeep has some of the best factory trained service personnel that are here to make sure that your vehicle continues to run smoothly for years to come. Find out more about how we can help you, or ways we can keep your vehicle running longer and better than ever, by contacting us today.