Clean filters are a must if you want your car to perform its best. Most cars have four filters: the engine air filter, oil filter, cabin air filter, and fuel filter. When a filter gets clogged, it can affect the way your vehicle runs—or in the case of the cabin air filter, your cabin air quality. Here’s a closer look at these filters and why it’s important to replace them regularly. 

Engine Air Filter

Just like we need air to breathe, car engines need air for the combustion process. The air filter catches any dust, dirt, insects, or other debris that’s in the air and prevents it from making its way into the engine, while also ensuring the engine receives the proper air-to-fuel ratio. When dirt, debris, and other contaminants get into the engine, they can cause damage to the cylinder walls, piston rings, and other vital parts—which can be expensive to repair or replace!

Clogged engine air filters can cause other problems, too, like reduced acceleration and overall poor performance. More importantly, there’s the possibility of incomplete fuel combustion. When the fuel doesn’t fully combust, it can create harmful carbon monoxide and soot—it also makes your vehicle run less efficiently. Although engine air filter change intervals vary by manufacturer, they’re typically recommended every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. If you drive in dusty conditions a lot, you’ll want to change your air filter more often. 

If your car’s air filter is dirty, you may notice the following signs:

Fuel Filter

Similar to the engine air filter, the fuel filter removes impurities (like dirt, rust, and other debris) from the fuel. This keeps the fuel injectors cleaner for longer, resulting in more power and better gas mileage. Fuel injectors have close-fitting parts that can become clogged easily; when this happens, the engine has difficulty getting the amount of fuel it needs. This causes the fuel pump to work much harder than it would otherwise, which puts it at a higher risk of failure. 

Most manufacturers recommend replacing the fuel filter every two years or 30,000 miles. Some common signs you need a replacement include:

Oil Filter

In addition to the right amount of air and fuel, engines need clean oil to operate at their peak efficiency. Motor oil keeps the moving parts of your engine lubricated, but it also keeps it clean. As the oil circulates through the engine, it collects metal flakes and other debris from the passageways. However, oil breaks down over time—which creates more particles. The oil filter captures these particles and prevents them from clogging up the engine. 

Unfortunately, oil filters can only hold so much debris before they’re essentially useless. Once an oil filter reaches its capacity, unfiltered oil can enter the engine’s lubrication system and wreak havoc on the rings and bearings, or get stuck in the chain tensioners or lifters. This is why it’s always recommended to have the filter changed every time you get an oil change. Since the recommendations for oil changes can vary quite a bit depending on your make, model, and driving habits, it’s always best to follow what’s listed in your owner’s manual.

Some common signs you may need your oil filter replaced include:

Cabin Air Filter

The cabin air filter is similar to your engine’s air filter—it’s designed to keep dirt, pollen, and other debris from entering the inside of your vehicle. It also helps prevent debris from clogging the air conditioning system. Changing your air filter regularly is essential for maintaining good air quality—and it’s especially important if you or a family member has respiratory issues, like asthma or allergies. 

Most manufacturers recommend replacing the cabin air filter every 12,000 miles, but if you notice any of the following signs, it may be time to replace it:

Need a Filter Replaced?

Although the filters probably aren’t the first thing on your mind when it comes to maintenance, they’re essential for a well-maintained, smooth-running vehicle. To keep your car performing its best, follow the replacement schedules listed in your owner’s manual—or ask our knowledgeable service advisors!

For questions about your vehicle’s filters or to schedule an appointment, contact Johnny’s Auto Service at (626) 966-5212!

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