How often:
Changing the air filter
should be part of any tune-up. Change
it every 15,000 miles or once a year.
If you live in an especially dusty or
dirty area, change it more often.
Air filter test:
Shine a flashlight from
the inside out of your air filter. If
you can't see any light or very little
light, it needs to be replaced. Change
the breather filter and check the PCV
at the same time. On most cars, this
is a fairly simple procedure.
Things
you will need from your garage or your
local NAPA AUTO PARTS Store:
- Flat-Head/Phillips screwdrivers
- Adjustable or open-end wrench
- Pliers
- New air filter
- New breather filter (if so equipped)
Pop the hood and
find the air filter housing.
It will likely be square
(on fuel-injected engines) or round
(on older carbureted engines) and
about 12 in. (30 cm.) in diameter.
On older vehicles, it will be in a
large round housing on the top of
the engine. On newer vehicles, it
will be on the end of the large black
intake hose opposite the engine mounted
on one of the fender wells.
Use a screwdriver
to remove the screws or clamps that
hold on the top of the housing.
If you have an older
vehicle with the round air filter
housing, remove the wing nut holding
the air filter cover and any other
clips.
Take out the old
air filter and clean any dirt and debris
from the housing with a clean rag.
Be careful that no dirt
or debris falls into the carburetor
or the intake. Remove the breather
filter.
Install the new
air and breather filters.
Replace the air cleaner
top. Reinstall attaching hardware
and air intake hose (if applicable).
Important Tips:
- When the air filter is out, you
should replace the PCV filter as well.
It should only take 5 minutes.
