Do you really have to change the air filter in your car?

Can't you just clean it out and put it back in?
Do you really have to change the air filter in your car?
If it is the standard paper type then yes. They can be blown out if dusty but considering the price of a new filter (not a lot) and the price a gas today then replacing the air filter when needed is not a lot to pay for the benefits it can deliver over a filthy air filter I.E. decreased gas mileage and I have even seen the 'Check Engine' be caused by an air filter that is extremely dirty so you decide if 10 or 15 dollars every couple of years is too much.
Do you really have to change the air filter in your car?
If you have a paper one, you cant wash it out. So you have to replace it. If you have an intake or short ram air filter, you can wash them out and oil them up. But im guessing you have a stock paper air filter. Paper ones are not expensive at all, just replace it so your engine will get all the air it needs to perform at its peak.
only if you have a filter designed for that. and most basic filters are not.
yes because they are made paper fiber only the k%26amp;n air filters are the one you wash. if you dont change the air filter you get bad gas milage and will suck dirt into the intake.
you'll never clean it as well as having a new 1
uh. HAHA, yeah right!



Please excuse my sarcasm, but as a hobby mechanic, I know for a fact that you can't just clean it.



UNLESS!!!! You purchased a K%26amp;N performance air filter, these CAN be cleaned, but only with a cleaning solution; compressed air will destroy the filter.



Standard air filters trap air between the fibers, eventually these particles will work themselves free and begin to affect engine performance. If a filter is older than it should be, it won't even function at a fraction of what a new one would. If you do run an old filter, dirt will enter your engine, damaging crucial engine parts. These include fuel injectors and many others, it will even cause excess wear on the cylider walls.



If you did clean an air filter water would destroy it, and compressed air would shred it also.



Filters are cheap, around 6- 15 dollars, I wouldn't risk having to clean and replace these expensive parts just to save enough money for one days lunch.



~Radley
yes you have to un less you have a reusable one then you have to wash it out that will help your gas milege
replace it! the paper filter does wear out after a period of time. most air filters are very reasonably priced. proper mantainance will keep your vehicle around a long time.
If the filter is the paper type, yes this has to be done on a regular basis of service. There are sleeve type or flat sheet filters which can pe purchased and put on the intake side (the front) of the paper filter. The ones I use cost 18 cents a dry sheet and are made by Swiffer (Procter %26amp; Gamble). This allows the dry paper type air and cabin filters to have an extraordinary life of usuage.