Automobiles, like people, need clean air to breathe. One of the easiest routine-maintenance jobs you can perform is replacing an old air filter with a new one...
An automobile's air-filtration system is important to engine performance and -- in recent models, with the addition of passenger-cabin air filters -- the health and comfort of the passengers. For every gallon of fuel a car burns, about 9,000 gallons of air pass through its air filter. A filter clogged with dust or other pollutants will lower your gas mileage considerably.
Check your vehicle's service manual for the location of the air filters and their recommended service intervals. The interval may vary according to the region where you live. In dusty, rural or heavily polluted environments, the filter may clog more quickly. And it won't hurt to replace the filter more frequently. It's one of the simplest and least expensive ways to improve your car's performance.
Materials:
- Screwdrivers
- Replacement filters
- Shop vacuum
1. Locate the engine air filter. In our demonstration vehicle (1999 Mercury Mystique) it's located just behind the battery.
2. Remove the clamps holding down the plastic housing, and lift up the top (figure A). Take care not to damage or kink the wires leading to the mass airflow sensor that may be adjacent to the filter housing.
Figure A
3. Pull out and inspect the old filter (figure B).
Figure B
4. Gently install the new filter (figure C). Make sure it faces in the proper direction, according to the directions that come with the filter.
Figure C
5. Clamp the housing back down.
Many people are not aware that their car has an air filter designed to remove particles from the air entering the passenger compartment. This filter, more common on newer vehicles, is sometimes called a pollen filter. It should generally be replaced about every 12 months to improve air quality inside the vehicle.
1. Check the owner's manual for the filter location. In our demonstration vehicle, it's located in front of the windshield on the passenger side, under the vent-screen cowling (figure D).
Figure D
2. Remove the screws holding down the cowling, and lift the cowling clear (figure E).
Figure E
3. Unclip the filter and lift it out (figure F).
Figure F
4. Use a shop vac to clean any debris from the filter compartment (figure G).
Figure G
5. Install the new filter and reattach the cowling.
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