How Often to Change Your Engine Air Filter

It’s easy for many Mount Pleasant area drivers to overlook replacing their engine air filter, but it is a crucial part of maintaining your car, truck, or SUV. So, how often should you change the engine air filter? The schedule varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle, but most automakers recommend that a new air filter be installed at least every 15,000 to 45,000 miles. 

It’s best to check your owner’s manual to find the recommended schedule for how often to change the engine air filter in your particular vehicle. If you need help replacing your engine air filter just stop by Porcaro Ford and let our certified auto technicians take care of the job for you.

What Does an Engine Air Filter Do?

An engine air filter works to keep dirt, dust, sand, and other contaminants from getting inside the engine. The filter can get dirty and clogged over time, reducing its effectiveness and negatively affecting your vehicle performance. Some of the warning signs that indicate your engine air filter should be replaced include:

• Sluggish acceleration
• Misfiring spark plugs
• Black smoke from the exhaust
• Service Engine light comes on

A clogged or dirty engine air filter can also affect gas mileage, although the change may be slight and not readily apparent to most drivers around Kenosha.

Air Filter Replacement Schedule

The recommended schedule for how often you should change your air filter will be in your owner’s manual, but if you often drive on dirt or gravel roads, or in heavy traffic on hot days, you should change the filter more often. On most cars the engine air filter is easy to access, so visually checking it from time to time is a good idea. It’s also easy to replace the filter yourself. Just open the air filter compartment, remove the old filter, and drop in a new one. Of course, if you’d rather have a professional handle it, just stop by the service center at Porcaro Ford.

Keep Your Car Running in Top Condition at Porcaro Ford 

In our state-of-the-art service center near Caledonia we can take care of all your recommended vehicle maintenance in an efficient and timely manner. Whether your car requires an oil change, engine or cabin filter replacement, or tire rotation, we’ll get the job done ASAP and have you safely back on the road. Schedule an appointment online today!