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Home Blog Air Filter Buyer's Guide

Air Filter Buyer's Guide

Looking for information about engine air filters? You no longer need to rely on shops to take care of air filter inspections and replacements. This buyer’s guide will help you take the reins on air filter maintenance! Inspecting and replacing your air filter is so much easier than it sounds. Any car owner can do it right at home.

What Is An Air Filter And Why Is It Important?

If you look into the cold air collection box, you’ll find an air filter. It’s a flat filter with pleated filter media inside. It has two components:

  1. A plastic and rubber frame (in most cases)
  2. A tightly packed pleated filter material

The air filter may look like a simple part, but it serves an important purpose. It cleans the air that goes into the engine. This helps keep the engine in good shape. This post has a more thorough explanation of what an air filter is, how it works, and why it’s important.

How To Diagnose A Failing Air Filter

An air filter can last anywhere between 6,000 and 30,000 miles. That’s why it’s not quite a good idea to replace it at regular intervals. Instead, you want to check your air filter at every oil change. This way, you’ll get to replace the filter as soon as it gets too dirty.

This tutorial will walk you through the process of checking your air filter. It’s a very easy process that takes only a few minutes.

How To Change Your Air Filter

The proper way to change your air filter is outlined in this guide. Basically, all you need to do is:

  1. Find the cold air collection box
  2. Open the cold air collection box and then remove the old filter
  3. Clean the excessive dirt and debris out of the cold air collection box
  4. Put the new filter in

It’s quite a straightforward process. The guide has more details if you need.

Are OEM Air Filters Better Than Aftermarket?

Engine air filter

When it’s time to find a replacement air filter, you have two options:

  1. Buy an aftermarket air filter
  2. Buy an OEM air filter

One option is much better than the other. OEM air filters deliver so much more value than aftermarket air filters. This post explains why. In a nutshell, it’s because:

  • OEM air filters have exactly the right dimensions for your car
    • Aftermarket air filters rarely have the right dimensions for your car
  • OEM air filters are built with quality materials
  • OEM air filters have a high pleat count
    • It’s common for aftermarket air filters to be made with shallow, widely spaced pleats
  • OEM air filters contain the right amount and size of pores to filter effectively

Do you have any questions that weren’t answered in this guide? Please contact us. We’ll be happy to answer your questions and help you find the right air filter for your vehicle!