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Regular engine air filter replacement is one of the keys to ensuring your car runs smoothly and burns fuel efficiently. Unlike other auto maintenance-related tasks, this one is painless if you know how to change an engine air filter. Should you do it yourself? What mistakes should you avoid? Which brands could you trust? Get these burning questions answered — and then some.
Top Engine Air Filter Replacement Cost Drivers
Replacing engine air filters may only set you back two digits. The gap between $10 and $99 isn’t eye-watering but adds up over time. Although you usually get what you pay for, you shouldn’t overspend. Remember these factors to find the perfect trade-off between cost and quality.
Filter Type
The automotive sector generally categorizes engine air filters by material and shape. You have more latitude in choosing filter materials, but your vehicle decides on the shape.
Paper, cotton, foam, metal and synthetic are the most common air filter media. Paper is the most popular option because it’s what original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) use. Made with pleated wood pulp, paper filters get the job done and are affordable. However, they’re prone to clogging and typically require frequent replacement.
Cotton gauze is a sought-after aftermarket filter material because it’s oiled and reusable. Its sticky surface attracts particulates and prevents them from entering the car engine — a departure from how dry paper filters work. However, the oil may enter the airflow sensor and interfere with its operation. Some manufacturers claim it can boost an automobile’s horsepower, but such gains are minimal at best and unproven at worst. While you must clean and re-oil it regularly, a washable cotton gauze filter is a one-time expense.
Foam excels in fine particle filtration, making it your safest bet in dusty environments like off-road terrain. In other locations, this material is less practical than paper or cotton gauze because it gets clogged up more quickly.
Metal engine air filters consist of interwoven stainless steel mesh. They’re the least popular because they have a reputation for not catching fine particles — those 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller — and can be pricey. What magnetizes some car owners is their easy washability and plentiful airflow.
Synthetic filters consist of proprietary material optimized for trapping most airborne contaminants. They can also be costly and need replacing occasionally.
Regarding shapes, air filters can be flat, round, conical or radial.
Vehicle
Your automobile’s year, make, and model dictate the dimensions of its engine air filter casing, limiting your options. For instance, round filters are synonymous with carburated engines, which you can only find in antique and classic vehicles like the 1969 Ford Mustang or 1990 Subaru Justy.
Source
Engine air filters come from automakers, OEMs and aftermarket companies. Car brands or OEMs produce authentic car parts, which fetch higher prices.
While aftermarket components may be non-genuine, their makers base them on original designs. These parts significantly cost less and are widely available in independent auto shops, mechanics and gas stations. However, aftermarket engine air filters may only sometimes fit, even when marketed to be compatible with specific vehicles.
Although OEM filters are more expensive, they come with warranty protection. If you buy a defective product, its manufacturer won’t leave you high and dry. Conversely, aftermarket filter makers don’t extend the same courtesy.
Labor
Outsourcing air filter replacement is an option. Many dealers and mechanics would offer to do it for a fee. Fortunately, you can buy a filter and install it yourself.
How to Change an Engine Air Filter
Changing an engine air filter is straightforward. Depending on your vehicle, you may need a socket set or a screwdriver. Either way, if you follow these four simple steps, you can finish it in a few minutes.
1. Locate the Air Filter Housing
For safety, park your vehicle on a dry, flat surface. Open the hood and find your engine air filter’s casing. If you can’t identify it, your owner’s manual should have instructions on locating it.
2. Unfasten the Housing
Once you find the casing, undo its fastening hardware with your hands or basic tools, as you would when detaching the terminals when changing car batteries. Modern vehicles secure this box with clamps or screws. Older ones may use a wing nut and clips.
3. Remove the Old Filter
Take the old air filter out of the casing. Note its orientation to determine where the replacement should face when you put it in. Clean the casing with a rag to remove debris and ensure nothing falls into other auto components.
4. Install the Replacement
Take the new engine air filter out of the box. Put it in the same direction as the old one. Close the housing and reinstall the fastening hardware to secure it.
Common Engine Air Filter Replacement Mistakes
Air filter replacement isn’t brain surgery. Still, you can blunder this simple task if you’re not careful. First-timers commit these rookie mistakes.
Changing the Wrong Filter
Your car has four primary filters — engine, cabin, oil and fuel. The two that confuse most people are engine and cabin filters because both remove impurities from the air. However, their similarity ends there.
An engine air filter keeps particles from entering the internal combustion engine. On the other hand, a cabin air filter purifies the air passing through your heating and air conditioning system. It keeps you and your passengers from breathing in volatile organic compounds and other harmful pollutants, irritants, and allergens.
As does keeping your radiator clear, having clean, clog-free engine and cabin air filters matters. However, changing one when you intend to replace the other is an honest mistake with considerable consequences. It can accelerate your car’s performance and accelerate engine wear, costing you more money on fuel and maintenance.
Following Replacement Schedules Strictly
How often do you have to change engine air filters? Consult your owner’s manual to know your manufacturer’s recommended frequency.
However, this recommendation is based on normal driving conditions. Traversing dusty roads during your daily commute clogs your vehicle’s engine air filter more quickly than expected.
Buying the Cheapest Product
The most expensive engine air filter won’t break the bank. However, purchasing a product from a lesser-known brand to save a few dollars isn’t worth it. Low-quality filters have questionable durability, stability, and filtration prowess. They can compromise your car engine’s efficiency and reduce its mileage, costing you more money in the long run.
Selecting an Incorrect Filter Size
A suitable filter replacement must be a perfect fit. Something undersized is ineffective and may hurt engine performance because it needs more surface area to catch most contaminants. Something oversized is less detrimental but may get in the way.
Again, check your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s ideal engine air filter specifications to buy an appropriately sized replacement.
Putting the Filter Backward
Engineers design air filters to face a specific way. You can’t expect it to do what it says on the tin when you get its orientation incorrectly.
Although it’s good practice to remember which direction the old filter faces before removing it, there’s a chance it’s in the wrong position. Instead, read the instructions on the replacement’s box to nail the installation.
Forgetting to Fasten the Filter
8 Best Engine Air Filter Products
The distinct nature of automobile designs means engine air filters are largely unexchangeable. You must look for something made specifically for your vehicle to ensure an exact fit.
Nevertheless, check out these eight trusted brands and their highly-rated products to get an idea of what to look for.
1. Bosch Workshop Engine Air Filter
This rectangular filter boasts high-velocity cellulose-cured media and optimal pleat distance, minimizing air resistance and capturing 98% of particles from incoming air. Its polyurethane foam lends it elasticity and boosts its seal performance, keeping heat and water from getting into the air intake system.
This Bosch product is compatible only with these Mazdas — 2012-2018 3, 2012-2018 3 Sport, 2013-2020 CX-5 and 2014-2020 6.
2. ECOGARD Premium Engine Air Filter
ECOGARD engineered this top-notch product in the mold of the Honda’s original rectangular engine air filter for the 2017-2021 CR-V (1.5L) and 2016-2021 Civic (1.5L). This automotive aftermarket leader covered all the bases to ensure this premium air filter matches the original’s fit, form and function.
3. Purolator PurolatorONE Advanced Engine Air Filter
This product isn’t just another rectangular filter. It features full synthetic or highly embossed media optimized to block up to 99% of dirt, debris, and soot caught by your car’s air intake system. Its gaskets ensure a tight seal, ensuring only clean air enters the engine. PurolatorONE owes its stability and durability to street grid backing, polyamide high-temperature glue beads, or ridge supports.
Purolator claims it meets and exceeds original equipment requirements. Although this aftermarket car part manufacturer doesn’t specify which makes, models and years this product is perfect for, it says it suits any vehicle that takes engine air filters that are 9.13 inches long, 6.77 inches wide and 1.53 inches high.
4. FRAM Extra Guard
This filtration technology juggernaut brags about this product’s ability to deliver protection against dirt and other contaminants 100% better than standard engine air filters for up to 12,000 miles. FRAM designed the Extra Guard filter with do-it-yourselfers in mind — it’s precisely what you need when you just learned how to change an engine air filter.
Moreover, this rectangular filter is quite versatile, for it’s compatible with these Toyota and Lexus models and years:
- 2007-2017 LS460 (4.6L)
- 2008-2016 LS600h (5.0L)
- 2010-2012 HS250h (2.4L)
- 2012-2017 Camry (2.5L)
- 2013-2018 Avalon (2.5L)
- 2013-2018 RAV4 (2.5L)
- 2013-2018 ES300h (2.5L)
5. EPAuto Rigid Panel Air Filter
This product is a top-rated substitute for the OEM and FRAM air filters for these Toyotas:
- 2003-2009 4Runner (V6 4.0L)
- 2005-2010 Tundra (V6 4.0L)
- 2005-2015 Tacoma (V6 4.0L)
- 2007-2009 FJ Cruiser
6. Motorcraft Air Filter
This multi-fiber, high-density filter is 10.5 inches long, 10.5 inches wide and 1.75 inches high. It uses phenolic resin to retain its pleated shape when exposed to heat and moisture. This product meets the rigorous requirements of ISO and SAE standards, ensuring peak performance throughout its useful life.
Its surfactant coating renders it moisture- and oil-proof. This square engine air filter can maintain airtightness and resist extreme temperature cycles, ranging from -40 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
Motorcraft is under the Ford Motor Company umbrella. That’s why this product comes with a 12-month warranty.
7. ACDelco Air Filter
This pentagonal filter enjoys General Motors’ approval. The American automaker’s engineers have validated its specs, making it suitable for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac models and years that accept engine air filters with these dimensions — 15.25 inches long, 10.88 inches wide and 2.19 inches high.
8. K&N Reusable Filter
This rectangular engine air filter comprises four layers of intricate cotton gauze mesh. It’s pre-oiled and only needs washing once every five years or 75,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions.
If you own a 2007-2009 Honda CR-V, switching to this premium filter allows you to marry engine protection with sustainability.
Changing Engine Air Filters Is the Easy Part
The most challenging aspect of air filter replacement is choosing the right product for your vehicle. Once you distinguish the good options from the bad, you can breeze through the process and rest easy knowing your car engine is safe.
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Author
Jack Shaw is a senior writer at Modded. Jack is an avid enthusiast for keeping up with personal health and enjoying nature. He has over five years of experience writing in the men's lifestyle niche, and has written extensively on topics of fitness, exploring the outdoors and men's interests. His writings have been featured in SportsEd TV, Love Inc., and Offroad Xtreme among many more publications.
