Your car’s air filter gets rid of dirt, pollen, sea salt and any other air impurities.
Your engine needs air just as much as it needs fuel, so having a clean air filter is vital for your engine to run efficiently. The cleaner the air your engine takes in, the better it will run.
A visit to your mechanic is necessary for complicated repairs and a regular service but changing your car’s air filter is a simple job that you can do yourself.
How to change your air filter
You should change your car’s air filter at least once a year. If you live in a particularly dusty area, drive near the sea or on dirt roads a lot, you may need to change it more frequently.
Changing the air filter is a quick job that doesn’t require any specialised tools. Simply follow these steps.
Step 1
To get the correct replacement filter, consult your user manual or get advice from your parts supplier. They will recommend a generic replacement filter that will fit your car based on the make, model and year.
Step 2
Before doing any kind of car maintenance, always make sure that your car is parked on a level surface, the engine is off and the handbrake is engaged.
Step 3
Open the bonnet of your car and locate the air filter box. The air filter box looks like a square or rectangular plastic box, usually found between the engine and the front grill. It should have a big hose coming from it. It may differ slightly in each make of car.
Step 4
Remove the air filter box cover. The cover might be screwed down or held in place by clasps. Either way, it’s easy to remove. If there are screws, put them in a safe place while you replace the filter.
Step 5
Underneath the cover, you’ll find the old air filter. Remove the old filter – it should lift out easily – and put the new filter in, making sure it sits in the same way as the old one. The new filter should slot into place with no trouble.
Step 6
Replace the air filter box cover the same way it came off. Make sure it’s properly closed and secured before you close the bonnet. An old filter might not look dirty to the naked eye, but it should be replaced regularly anyway.
Air filters from Masterparts
Even a partially clogged filter can affect your car’s fuel efficiency and performance. At Masterparts, we stock a wide range of high-quality air filters from several suppliers to fit any make and model of car. The brands we stock include:
- Febi Bilstein
- KS
- Mobis (used by Kia and Hyundai)
- Wix Filters
- Euromann.
To get advice on which air filter you should buy for your vehicle, contact us on 021 657 5757 or visit your nearest branch.
