How To Replace Your Engine Air Filter: A Complete Guide

Step 2: Find your engine air intake system

The exact location varies from vehicle to vehicle, so consult your manual to find it in your car. You can generally find your intake system under the hood near the front of the engine bay. In my Ford E250 van, it’s the big cylinder right on top of the engine. (The fact that the outside was so dirty was my first clue that the filter was dirty, too.)

If you need some help finding the engine air intake system on your vehicle, or you’d like an expert to walk you through how to change your air filter, check out FIXD. For just $19.99, you get an OBD2 diagnostic sensor that translates your check engine light into plain English, plus access to our certified Mechanic Hotline free for 14 days.

Step 3: Open the air box

The airbox is a large square or cylinder in the air intake system, located near the front of the car. This box contains your engine air filter. In most cases, no tools are required to open it. One or more simple clips that you can open by hand hold it closed, as shown here. In rare cases you may need a simple screwdriver or wrench to open the air box.

Step 4: Remove and replace the air filter

Once the air box is open, you can pull the filter right out. Remove the old one, and install the new one in the same direction and orientation as the old one.

Step 5: Reassemble the air intake system

Now that the new filter is in, put together everything you took apart, and you’re done. 

Next, be sure to get the FIXD Sensor app set up with your car so that you’ll get an automatic alert the next time you need to replace your engine air filter. FIXD is on sale right now for just $19.99, and it’s really the easiest way to keep your car running smoothly, while saving you time and money.

What Is the Engine Air Filter?

Your engine breathes air the same way you do. While you breathe air through your nose, your car breathes in through the air intake system. This is a series of tubes that bring air from outside your car into the engine. A simple filter, usually made of paper, sits near the beginning of your engine’s air intake system. It makes sure that only clean air goes into your engine, with no dust or debris that might cause damage to sensors or the engine itself. It works rather like the face masks we all got used to wearing in 2020.

For modern cars, changing the air filter has been shown to increase gas mileage by 10% and boost acceleration by as much as 11%.

Is It Safe to Drive with a Dirty Air Filter?

When you breathe dirty air, you cough, sputter, and get dirt into your lungs. That’s also what happens to your engine when you drive with a dirty engine air filter. The engine may run rough. You might lose power or fuel economy. The check engine light may turn on, particularly if your engine misfires. The trouble code may also indicate a lean condition, which is a sign that your mass air flow sensor is dirty or has failed.

A mechanic or oil change shop can replace your engine air filter for you, but it’s so quick and easy to do, you might as well save some money and do it yourself.

How Often to Change Your Engine Air Filter

If your air filter looks like the one on the right, it needs replacement right now. This is the one I took out of my recently acquired Ford E250 van when I cleaned the mass air flow sensor to cure a check engine light. When I saw this, I bought a new air filter and replaced it immediately.

Generally speaking, you should replace your engine air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. This may vary, however. Check your vehicle maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, and go by what the manufacturer recommends. If you find yourself driving on a lot of dirt roads or putting your car under high levels of stress, check your air filter more often than the factory recommends. 

Our automotive specialists recommend changing your air filter once or twice a year, regardless of mileage, to make sure it’s operating properly. If you’re looking for an easier way to keep up with routine maintenance items, such as when it’s time to replace your engine air filter, the FIXD sensor and app will keep track of all this for you on the maintenance timeline inside the app. You’ll automatically be alerted when it’s time for a new filter, oil change, tire rotation, car battery, and more so you never forget.

What Are Common Symptoms Indicating You Need to Replace Your Engine Air Filter?

If your engine air filter is dirty, you may experience the following:

• Loss of power
• Poor fuel economy
• Rough running
• Check engine light

Keep in Mind

Remember to always follow the manufacturer recommended maintenance schedule, and change your engine air filter as advised for your particular make and model.

Since it’s generally located near the engine air filter, now is a good time to clean your mass air flow sensor. You may also want to clean the throttle body while you’re in there since it’s in the air intake system as well.