Alternators & Car Starters Steering & Drive Products Tire Pressure Monitoring SystemsThere are at least 5 benefits of changing your air filter regularly; better gas mileage, reduced emissions, improved acceleration, increased engine life and overall improved driveability. For each gallon of fuel burned, the engine uses up to 10,000 gallons of air; thus why it is easy to understand how vital a clean air filter is to the proper operation of a car. One of the biggest reasons to change your air filter regularly. Some studies indicate that replacing a dirty air filter increases fuel mileage on older, carburated cars by as much as 14 percent if the filter is so dirty it affects driveability. In addition, changing a clogged air filter can potentially increase acceleration by 6 to 11 percent on modern fuel-injected cars. Other studies claim a 10 percent increase in gas mileage and up to 15¢ per gallon fuel savings. Regardless of the exact figures, it is obvious that a clean air filter improves air flow to the engine and increases engine performance and gas mileage.2.

Clogged air filters can reduce air flow to the engine, literally choking it, and as a result affect the emission control systems of the car causing an incorrect air-fuel mixture and spark plug ignition problems which can lead to serious driveability issues. Spark plugs can become fouled which often times result in an engine miss or rough idle, while also greatly affecting fuel mileage. It can also increase engine deposits caused by having too rich of a fuel mixture and may cause the "Service Engine Soon" light to illuminate. Increased air flow to the engine allows it operate properly reducing fuel consumption and reducing emissions. 3. Prolongs engine life:Changing the air filter regularly helps prolong engine life because the air filter is designed to trap damaging dirt and debris that can damage internal engine parts such as the cylinders and pistons. Engine damage can occur from particles as small as a grain of salt and result in costly repairs. 4. Inexpensive and quick fix:

An air filter is one of the least expensive maintenance components to replace and can be done by doing it yourself. It is important to make certain the replacement air filter is designed for your exact make and model of car. On newer, fuel-injected cars, the air filter is usually located near the top front or side of the engine by the throttle body. The air filter is rectangular in shape and enclosed in a rectangular, black plastic housing that will normally have clips or screws keeping it closed. On older, carburated cars, the air filter is round and located in a round metal housing above the carburator that is secured by a wing nut. Air filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or so, more often in dusty driving conditions. The owner's manual maintenance schedule will indicate how often the air filter should be replaced. A dirty air filter might appear clean but should still be replaced at the recommended intervals. A new air filter will increase gas mileage, reduce emissions, allow optimal air flow and improve engine performance.

In addition, changing your air filter regularly will protect the engine and vital internal engine parts from excess wear and damage that result in driveability issues and potentially expensive engine repairs.The car cabin air filter in your vehicle's ventilation system is used to filter dust, allergens, mold, particulates and sometimes even odors from the air entering your car's passenger compartment. home ac unit weightThe cabin air filter is used whether or not you use the air conditioner or heater in your car, as there is always air flowing into and out of the passenger compartment. best ac units 2014Most vehicle manufacturers recommend changing the cabin air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. buy window unit air conditionerYou can check the condition of the air filter by removing it and tapping it lightly.

If dust falls out, you should change it.There is no need to replace an air conditioner filter in your car if you've already replaced the cabin air filter. The reason for this is because these are two names for the same air filter. Other names that car air conditioner filters are known by are micron air filters, cabin air purifiers, passenger compartment air filtration systems and cabin air dust filters. These filters should be changed every 12,000 to 15,000 thousand miles. They are usually located either under the dashboard on the passenger side, or right up against the cowl, under the hood, on the passenger side.Cabin filter, when should it be replaced Every motorist knows that a car has an engine air filter that needs to be kept clean if you want your engine to perform at its best, but what is a cabin filter and what does it do? Does it have any effect on your car’s performance? A cabin filter is installed in your car’s heating and air conditioning system. It filters outside air that enters the cabin.

The cabin filter is probably the only maintenance item that has no effect on your car’s performance, so why do you have to worry about it? There are a few reasons: first, when the cabin filter is plugged up, it causes reduced airflow from the vents, even with the blower motor running at full speed. A dirty cabin filter can also cause unpleasant smell from the air conditioner. Health concerns are the most important issue, as the air you and your passengers breathe inside your car passes through the cabin filter. Dirt on the cabin filter can promote mold, fungi, and bacteria growth on its surface. This can cause allergic reactions and other health issues. Keeping the cabin filter clean is especially important if you’re driving with kids. Cabin filter replacement can be done at your dealership or in an independent repair shop. It can cost from $60 to $95, depending on the car. Recommended replacement intervals vary between 15,000 and 30,000 miles. Some car manufacturers recommend cleaning the cabin filter every 12-18 months.

For example, for the 2010 Camry, Toyota recommends cleaning the cabin filter every 18 months or 15,000 miles and replacement every 36 months or 30,000 miles. The cabin filter should be replaced more often if you regularly drive on dusty roads or if you often park your car under trees, as was the case with this car in the photo above. Can it be done as a DIY project? The answer is yes, however a lot depends on the car. In older Volkswagen New Beetle, for example, you’d have to take apart the whole top portion of the dash to get to it. In some Nissan and Mazda vehicles, the cabin filter is located in the lower portion of the dash, closer to the firewall, which makes the replacement quite difficult. On the other hand, in many Toyotas, the cabin filter can be replaced within five minutes, as it’s located right behind the glove box: squeeze in the glove box edges, swing down the glove box (in the photo), release a few tabs that hold the filter cover, remove the old one, slide the new one in and it’s done.