How to replace clogged air filters
Modern cars have two air filters. One for the cabin, filtering all the air that goes to the air vents keeping away dust and pollen. Another for the engine is filtering the air inside the combustion chamber, keeping it contaminant free.
These air filters have tiny holes that keep the smallest of debris out only allowing air to pass through. However, these filters get dirty and clogged, collecting everything from dust, debris, and moisture.
How long does the air filter last?
As most OEM filters are paper filters that use a paper-like filter made of plated wood pulp, they are not meant to last forever. The paper inside gets degraded over time and needs a replacement for once in a year or between 12000-15000 miles. Other types of air filters are washable in nature and need regular cleaning rather than replacing.
When living in dusty areas or places full of vegetation, the filter can get clogged faster due to more suspended particles in the air. The airflow becomes poor in-cabin filters with unwanted odour while engine misfire, bad mileage and lack of power are felt with clogged engine air filters.
This is the right time to replace your air filter and here is How to replace clogged air filters?
Replacing Engine Air filters:
Engine air filters are of many types. When replacing your engine air filter, you can stick with your OEM recommendation or add a different type of filter mentioned below.
Air filter types based on shape: Based on shape, you have the classic conical-shaped air filter, then cylindrical and rectangular air filters. OEM air filters are generally cylindrical or rectangular types while conical air filters are used as performance mods.
Air filter types based on material: Apart from Paper air filters that need regular replacement, you have air filters made of foam and cotton gauze.
Foam air filters are finer than paper air filters, offering better filtering and can also have better dust holding capacity. They are great in dusty environments and can be cleaned regularly. The only issue is that since they are finer and collect more dust, they get clogged faster.
Cotton gauze air filters on other hand last a vehicle’s lifetime. These are made of cotton that is later infused with oil to make them sticky and have fewer pores. Simply they offer fine filtering and keep the dust stuck to them. Cleaning cotton gauze filters are also easy and they last a lifetime.
Instructions:
Replacing Engine Air filters
Step 1: Start by locating your air filter. These are put inside your airbox, which are closed plastic box cavities. You can find its location with google’s help, through user manuals, or by its distinctive shape running a big hose to the engine.
Step 2: The airbox generally is closed with plastic hooks or metal tabs keeping them closed. Using a screwdriver, remove those clips and take off the cover.
Step 3: Carefully remove any electrical connectors, and physical connectors, holding the hose attached to them. Once you disconnect the hose, simply squeeze and pull the filter out.
Step 4: Now, clean the airbox using a vacuum to suck off all debris around. Then, replace the filter with a new one, or after it's clean if washable and put it back.
Step 5: Connect the hose back along with any electrical connector and close the filter securing it with the clips/tabs.
And there you have it, you have successfully replaced your engine air filter.
A new OEM air filter (paper air filters) runs around $15-$30 while the cost of replacement is about $50 if done professionally.
Replacing Cabin Air filters:
Cabin air filters, similar to engine air filters, are also of many kinds.
Types of Cabin Air filter:
The standard ones are called particulate air filters that are able to trap dust and pollen upto 0.3 microns. Generally there are three other types: Charcoal air filter, Activated Carbon air filter and electrostatic air filter.
While the unique name sounds like different face wash, each has unique properties. The Charcoal air filter, other than fibrous layer, has a layer of charcoal, absorbing harmful contaminants.
Activated Carbon air filters have a better tendency to absorb gases and are fine enough to stop microorganisms. They eliminate bad odour and keep pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide out. These types of filters are best for urban use.
Electrostatic air filters simply use an electrostatic charge to catch all sorts of microorganisms, dust, debris, and pollen and are great at removing allergens and odours.
Instructions:
Replacing Cabin Air filters
Cabin air filters are located inside the cabin under the dashboard of the car right behind the glove box. In some cars, it can be under the hood or the dashboard. Refer to the user manual for the accurate location. To replace it,
Step 1: First open your glove box and empty it. Then just grab both sides of the glovebox and squeeze them together and it will just fold down. In some older cars, you might have to completely remove the glove box.
Step 2: Once the glove box is out of the way, your cabin air filter would be right behind in mostly a black-shaped cover. Different filters have different opening mechanisms, but most of them are simple squeeze and release. You can refer to your user manual for better understanding.
Step 3: Just pull the air filter towards you and it will slide out. It might be a lot dusty, so use a facemask to avoid allergies.
Step 4: Now replace the cabin air filter with a new one and reinstall it. Don’t forget to vacuum the area before that. And also, don’t put it upside down. There are clear mentions on the air filter of what side is up. Generally, the arrow is pointed downward when installing.
Step 5: Put back the air filter, connect the dashboard and your replacement is complete.
Cabin air filters come cheap at around $30 max and replacements are done for under $70 for most cars if done professionally.