When to Change Your Car’s Filters

Cars are equipped with a variety of parts. Some components have aesthetic purposes; others are needed for efficient operation. Various types of filters fall into the efficient operation category. Addressing the air, oil, gas, and cabin air filters during auto service visits will help lessen auto repair work and result in a properly running vehicle.

The air filter in a car cleans air entering the car engine. This air is needed to burn fuel. Cleaner fuel results in better engine operation and gas mileage. The air filter should be checked every 10,000 to 12,500 miles to determine whether or not it needs to be replaced.

The engine oil in a car lubricates moving engine parts and lessens the likelihood of friction. As oil flows through the engine system, the oil filter captures contaminants. The crud remains there until the oil is changed. During an oil change, the filter should also be changed as well. Most vehicles need an oil change every 3000 to 7500 miles and the auto mechanic should replace the oil filter as well.

The gas filter assists in optimizing vehicle performance. Gas coming from gas stations is mostly clean, because it’s filtered at the pump, but as cars age, corrosion and wear and tear on parts can result in debris in the fuel. Because of this, fuel filters should be changed every 5 years or 50,000 miles.

Finally, many cars have a cabin air filter. This filter cleans air circulating through a car. The filter traps dust and allergens resulting in cleaner, healthier to breathe air. This filter should be changed yearly or every 15,000 miles.

Driving conditions may also require more frequent changes. The air quality along the Main Line, in Pennsylvania, is good and the roads are paved, so you shouldn’t need to change your filters as often as you would if you lived in a rural area.

If you’re close to Wayne, PA, come visit Lament’s Auto Service & Repair, Inc. to have your filters checked. Clean filters can improve your car’s performance and gas mileage. A Lament’s mechanic will inspect all your car’s filters and make recommendations.