How Often Should I Change My Car’s Air Filter?
Your vehicle’s air filter is central to both your engine health and overall vehicle protection. While it is often considered a small service matter, neglect to this vehicle component can pose a severe risk to your engine. The experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here with insight on “How often should I change my car’s air filter?” and other air filter questions.
Benefits of Clean Vehicle Air Filters
Air filters benefit a multitude of vehicle components, making them necessary to pay careful attention to. Regular care for your air filter can boost your vehicle’s health. Here are a few advantages of providing regular care for your car’s air filter:
- Improved Gas Mileage—By keeping dirt and other harmful particles out of your air/fuel mixture, a clean air filter can help you save money at the pump. This can also help you pass your NC Emissions inspection.
- Engine Protection—Dirt and particles can harm the engine if not properly filtered, leaving you with much larger damages and repair costs down the line.
- Vehicle Longevity—Regular air filter service can help extend your car’s lifespan by helping to prevent damage.
- Improved Performance—A clean engine and a healthy air/fuel mixture allow your vehicle to run more smoothly.
With these benefits in mind, it is easy to see how a small air filter service can save you a significant amount of money on larger services and repairs.
How Often Should I Get My Air Filter Changed?
While there is no exact science to the change in air filter, on average, you should get your car’s filter changed each year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. However, if you live in an area with heavy smog or dirt roads, you should consider changing your air filter more frequently. These external factors will expedite the decline of your filter and cause an enhanced threat to your vehicle’s health.
Signs it is Time for an Air Filter Change
Your car will often display the need for any service in its performance, appearance, and the sounds it makes. It is always best to pay careful attention to what your vehicle may be trying to tell you. Here are a few signs that might signify the need for an air filter change:
Lower Fuel Efficiency—If you find that your car is not operating at the fuel efficiency you are used to, this could be due to an unbalanced air/fuel mixture and serve as a sign that you require an air filter change.
Emissions Inspection—When your NC emissions inspection is coming up, you may need an air filter change. A dirty air filter (or the resulting air/fuel mixture problems) can cause you to fail your emissions inspection.
Dirty Air Filter—Perhaps the most obvious sign of the need for an air filter change is the appearance of your air filter. If it looks worn out and dirty, it is best to replace it as soon as possible.
Engine Issues—If your engine begins to show signs of decline, take a look at the air filter. This could be causing or contributing to these engine issues, and it is best to replace it as a preventative or restorative measure.
As a best practice, maintenance and inspection visits each year should help you keep an eye on your air filter. If you begin to have car troubles between these yearly visits, take a second look at your air filter or bring it to an expert to examine. The experts at Chapel Hill Tire even take a look at your air filter for free with each oil change visit. This cautionary measure could save you thousands on repairs down the line.
Where to Find a Car Air Filter Change | Air Filter Service Near Me
For a quick, affordable, and convenient air filter change, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire have what you need! Our experts can get you in and out in no time, and we proudly serve drivers in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, Carrboro, and beyond. Make an appointment with our air filter experts to get started today!