How to Keep Your Car Running Smoothly: Change Your Engine Air Filter

Keeping your car running smoothly is essential for a safe and comfortable ride. One of the most important maintenance tasks is to change your engine air filter regularly. This filter helps keep the air your engine “breathes” clean and free of dirt, dust, and other particles. Depending on how much you drive, you should check your car's air filter once a year and replace it when necessary.

Many people choose to change the filter right now, but some mechanics say an air filter can last 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If you've driven more than that since the last time you changed your air filter, it's probably time to change it. The easiest way to know for sure how often to change your engine air filter is to consult the maintenance section of the owner's manual or simply Google the manufacturer's recommended service interval. A dirty engine air filter will usually look dirty with dirt, dust, or stains visible inside the folds.

Fortunately, changing the filter is one of the simplest and most economical items of routine maintenance to deal with. When the engine air filter is dirty, air cannot pass through the filter to the engine, which affects the entire emission control system of the car. The location of the air filter varies by vehicle, so refer to the owner's manual to find out exactly where the filter is located. Consult your owner's manual to help you choose the correct engine air filter replacement or ask a Jiffy Lube technician.

In addition to changing your engine air filter regularly, you should also check your cabin air filter. This filter helps keep the air inside your car clean and free of pollutants. Generally speaking, it should be changed every 30,000 miles. In most vehicles, the cabin air filter is usually placed behind the glove compartment or under the dashboard.

Be sure to monitor your air filters and replace them when you start to notice signs that they are clogged. This way, a small problem can be corrected before it becomes a costly repair. Let your local Jiffy Lube team provide routine preventive maintenance to help keep your car running as designed for as long as possible.