How can you tell if you need a new air filter?

Question

I have a 99' Dodge Caravan if that makes any difference.

Answer 1

Going by milage wise, it should be changed every second oil change, or every 10 000km. This number has a few factors to concider as well, if you are driving in very dusty and dirty conditions, the filter will get dirty faster, and my only last 5000km or less. If you don't drive in a dirty, dusty environment, that number may be 15 000km or 20 000km.

Going time wise, it should be changed every 6 months, that also works out to every second oil change, as said above. Changing it twice a year is somewhat good practice. Again, it also depends on the conditions you drive in as well.

When checking the filter (on this vehicle it is buried, and you have to romove a few things to get to it. its a pain to get) there are a few ways to check. Most air filters are white, not all of them are, I have seen yellow, pink, red, blue, and orange, thats not to say they are the only colours too, white is the most common however. If the filter has a grayish tinge to it, change it. If you hit it against you hand and dust comes off of it, change it. if there is a black tar like substance on it, it should have been changed a long time ago (I'm amazed at how often I see this). When checking the filter, DO NOT EVER blow compressed air through it, you will damage the poors in the filter, and it will allow larger particles through and into the engine. Tap it against your hand until no dust comes out of it when you tapp it against your hand. Air Filters are very important and should not be over looked. Also, from what I have seen, K&N filters are more of a gimmic then anything else, sure you get a longer lasting filter, but it still cloggs up at the same speed as a normal paper or fiber filter. They should be cleaned at the same intervals as standard filters are changed. And you should never over oil a K&N filter, follow the directions exactly how they are on the box. I have also seen the oil (from over oiling) blow into the engine, and damage the MAF sensor and cause the engine to run rough. I work in a garage, and no one I work with have a K&N or equivilent filter on thier vehicle, the paper/fiber ones work jsut at well (unless you're into racing, or getting major preformance, that is for a vehicle that will never, or hardly ever see the street). For what its worth, a reuseable filter is a gimmic to me. Just keep on checking (or having checked) the air filter every oil change, and change as needed. The air filter for this vehicle isn't expencive (about $15 CDN, give or take, depending on teh company). Its not a big expence, and it is one of the msot important parts of your engine.

Answer 2

First by mileage and driving conditions. Usually my air filters go a minimum of 20,000 miles under normal driving conditions (no extra off road dust etc). I just removed an air filter from my daughter's 2003 Hyundai at 14,000 miles and held it up to direct sunlight. If you can see sunlight coming through the filter, you've got miles left in it in my opinion. An air filter actually filters better as it traps more and more dirt particles (believe it or not). Of course if it gets too loaded with dirt, enough air can't get through it and some may be drawn around the filter edges (as in your home HVAC filters). Hold a new air filter up to direct sunlight to compare to the used filter. One option is to buy a K&N reusable air filter. Then you'll have full air flow all the time and get maximum performance just by cleaning your air filter. I recommend them.

Answer 3

Hold it up to a bright light or droplight and see if you can see the light very well through the filter compared to a new one. A dirty filter for your engine is like trying to run with a hand over your mouth....normally, I replace them once a year but it depends on your area....if you live where you drive on dusty roads, replace every 6 month's or so.
Hope this helps, Paul

Answer 4

Look at the filter on the vehicle now. If it is dirty, replace it. Filter paper, when new is almost white. Then keep a record and change regularly, maybe every third oil change or 9,000 miles.

Answer 5

Hold your air filter up to a bright light. If you can't see light shining throught the paper, then you need to replace it. Unless you've recently replace it, I'd go ahead and do so, it can make a difference in your gas mileage.

Answer 6

Hold it up to the light and if you can see light areas through the pleats you are o.k. it may look dirty but it still has a lot of filter capacity left, while you have it out blow it out with compressed air, I have used the same filter for years by doing this.

Answer 7

It is common to replace the air filter every 20,000km, provided that you use the air blower/compressed air to clean the filter at every 5,000 km.

The difference - Poor combustion of air-fuel mixture. Less air and lower air speed/turbulance due to partial blockage in the air filter). Result = Heavy fuel consumption, lesser power.

Do not wait till there is tear on the air filter!!!!!

Answer 8

By looking at the old one. If it has a lot of dirt or is dark grey, then it needs replaced. Get a K&N, they cost more but have a million mile warranty, literally. And they only need cleaned every 50,000-100,000 miles, literally.

Answer 9

Air filters should be replaced like every 10,000 miles.

Answer 10

I change my air filter every 3 months along with my oil, Lube, and oil filter. That is your safest bet.