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Hi, how often should I change the air filter in my 94 Acura Integra (155k miles on the odo)? I drive 3k to 5k miles per year in the city/surburb. The environment is not dusty typically, but in the winter there can be a mist of road salt kicked up by other cars when the snow melts. Thanks in advance.
Your owners manual should give a maintenance schedule for all aspects of the car including the air filter.
I usually change mine once a year its not expensive and easy to replace, i do it before winter in my annual maintenance blitz on the car.
I live in southern NH and change oil, oil filter and air filters (engine and AC/heater) every spring after the rains have washed the salt/sand/debris off the road. Our winters are very dirty due to the salt and sand used to make the roads drivable. Actual mileage is not a major factor in change interval due to local conditions.
It's hard to give a specific time or mileage figure because the life of the filter depends on how much crud it ingests. A filter that lasts 20,000 or even 30,000 miles on a vehicle that's driven mostly on expressways may last only a month or two in a rural setting where the vehicle is driven frequently on gravel roads. Changing it annually or every 15,000 miles for preventative maintenance may be a good recommendation for the city driver, but not its country cousin.
Regardless of the mileage or time, a filter should be replaced before it reaches the point where it creates a significant restriction to airflow. But when exactly that point is reached is subject to opinion.
A slightly dirty filter actually cleans more efficiently than a brand new filter. That's because the debris trapped by the filter element helps screen out smaller particles that try to get through. But eventually every filter reaches the point where it causes enough of a pressure drop to restrict airflow. Fuel economy, performance and emissions begin to deteriorate and get progressively worse until the dirty filter is replaced.
Many heavy-duty trucks have a "restriction" meter on the air filter housing that signals when the filter is dirty enough to need replacing. But lacking such a device, the best you can do is guess.
Removing the filter and holding it up to a light will show you how dirty it is. If it's really caked with dirt, it obviously needs to be replaced. Trying to shake or blow the dirt out is a waste of time because too much of it will be embedded in the filter fibers.
NOTE: Many filters that appear to be dirty are in fact still good and do not really need to be replaced. So it's up to you. If you think it's dirty, replace it. If you don't think it's dirty enough to need replacing, then don't.
Air filters are usually in a very convenient place to get to.
Instead of going by mileage or time intervals, I would just inspect them every now and then and replace when necessary.
I've yet to see a quick lube or dealer that charges a reasonable fee for a filter change (it requires zero tools, and no more labor than what it takes to check it, yet these places charge $40 a pop for filters that run 15-20).
The effect of an air filter on fuel economy or power is grossly exaggerated. There is a reason most manufacturers recommend a new one only 15000-30000 miles. It is because they don't get that dirty and a moderately dirty one doesn't affect the engine much at all. Your engine needs maximum airflow when it needs maximum fuel - during full throttle operation. Since your car doesn't typically spend much time at all in a range where it needs maximum airflow a moderately dirty air filter has no effect.
The effect of an air filter on fuel economy or power is grossly exaggerated. There is a reason most manufacturers recommend a new one only 15000-30000 miles. It is because they don't get that dirty and a moderately dirty one doesn't affect the engine much at all. Your engine needs maximum airflow when it needs maximum fuel - during full throttle operation. Since your car doesn't typically spend much time at all in a range where it needs maximum airflow a moderately dirty air filter has no effect.
And depending on your car it's no so easy for crap to get to the filter. On my civic the intake is 20" or so below the filter (just behind the bumper) and has a resonater that lessens noise and acts as a barrier to large particles).
Thanks for all of your responses. I will definitely do the change myself and not let the shops rip me off.
The last time I changed it, I remember the filter which had been in there 5+ yrs looked slightly gray color with no crud / leaves on it. It's now up to the 5 yrs mark again (well, roughly since I lost track), so wondering if I should do another change.... it sounds like I should from your answers.
Check it once a year and if it's dirty, replace it. If not, wait 6 months and check it again.
Or substitute your own timeframe. Point is, it's easy to check, rather than buying the filter first. Unless you want to buy one and store it away.
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