Replacing your engine air filter is a quick and affordable way to keep your car running smoothly. Most replacements cost $20 to $85, depending on your vehicle, the filter type and whether you do it yourself or pay for installation.
Regular engine filter replacement can improve fuel efficiency, boost engine performance and help prevent more expensive repairs.
Factors that influence engine air filter replacement costs
Replacing your vehicle’s engine air filter is a relatively simple and low-cost maintenance task that should be on your to-do list once a year or so. The cost can vary based on the vehicle you drive, the type of filter you choose and whether you tackle the repair yourself or take the car to a mechanic.
Type of filter
Within each filter style, shape and size, drivers can choose from a range of engine filter types. The most common are paper filters, which are disposable and need to be swapped out regularly. These are usually the most affordable option.
You can also choose reusable filters with rigid or flexible frames, which are slightly more expensive up front. These usually have a gauze medium that filters contaminants, which need to be cleaned regularly with a special solution, and possibly oiled, before reinstalling them.
Labor costs
Changing an engine air filter takes a few minutes and requires basic tools, if any. If you feel confident opening your hood and getting your hands a bit dirty, you can probably change your own engine air filter and avoid paying for a mechanic’s labor — potentially saving $35 to $55.
What is an engine air filter?
Designed to trap dust, dirt and debris before they enter your engine, the engine air filter protects your engine’s internal components and ensures the right balance of air and fuel for combustion. In more extreme cases, leaves and pine needles could have been sucked into the air filter. Mice have even been known to nest in the air filter box.
This is different from your vehicle’s cabin air filter, which traps dust and debris before the air reaches the inside of your vehicle, where you’ll breathe it in.
Replacing an engine air filter is quick and affordable, and is also something that many drivers can handle on their own. The filter is usually located under the hood of your vehicle, on top of the engine compartment in an enclosed plastic box or housing near the vehicle’s air intake hose, and can usually be accessed by removing a few quick clips or screws.
How often should you get your engine air filter replaced?
You should replace your vehicle’s engine air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or according to your manufacturer’s instructions. If you live or regularly drive in an area with a lot of dust or smog, you may need to replace your air filter more often.
Regularly replacing your engine air filter improves fuel efficiency and prolongs your engine’s life. Here’s how.
Fuel efficiency
Modern combustion engines rely on a combination of air and fuel to power the vehicle. If your vehicle’s engine isn’t getting adequate air flow due to a dirty engine air filter, throttle body or other aspect of the air intake system, it will burn fuel inefficiently, wasting gas and reducing your engine’s power.
Think of it like trying to run a marathon with a mask over your mouth: You’ll probably make it to the finish line, but it’s going to be a lot harder and more miserable than if you could breathe clearly.
Engine longevity
A dirty engine works harder to perform, which can prematurely wear it down. This can result in premature engine failure or expensive repairs.
Consider swapping the filter out if you notice any of the following:
- It’s visibly dirty.
- The engine whistles when idling.
- Decreased fuel efficiency.
- Decreased vehicle power and performance.
- Strange exhaust smells or visible smoke.
- The check engine light comes on but no other issues are apparent.
How to save on engine air filter replacement
In terms of vehicle maintenance, engine air filters are one of the cheaper expenses you’ll encounter. Still, there are some ways you can save money on this recurring cost.
Be prepared for a mechanic or dealership service advisor to recommend an air filter replacement when you have your car in the shop for other services such as an oil change. This is a common upsell because it takes them only minutes to perform and they can charge a premium for the filter and labor. Decline the service if you plan on tackling it yourself or have replaced the air filter recently.
Get quotes from multiple shops
Call around to get pricing from local shops to see who offers the best deal on an engine air filter replacement. Keep in mind that a good chunk of your cost will be the part itself, and different shops will offer a variety of brands and filter types — so make sure you’re comparing apples to apples.
Check the math on reusable filters
Reusable filters may cost more up front but can save you money in the long run, depending on how often you change your filter. If you’re comfortable cleaning and maintaining a reusable filter, you may recoup your costs in two or three maintenance intervals.
Do it yourself
With the help of online guides and YouTube tutorials, even a beginner can change out their engine air filter. This could save you an average of $35 to $55 in labor costs.
FAQs
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Are engine and cabin air filters the same?
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Can I drive with a dirty engine air filter?
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How do I know what size engine air filter my car needs?
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Is replacing an engine air filter part of a tune-up or oil change service?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Forbes, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry with more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. Her past work has appeared in the Associated Press, USA Today and The Washington Post. Her work has been cited by NorthWestern University and Harvard Kennedy School. Annie served as a spokesperson for NerdWallet during her time at NerdWallet and has been featured in New York Magazine, MarketWatch and on local television and radio stations.
Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California and Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
Phil grew up fixing lawn mowers, motorcycles and cars. He began his journalism career as a night police reporter in Chicago and Denver. Moving to Los Angeles, Phil ghost-wrote several how-to books about car buying. He then was hired by the consumer automotive site Edmunds.com where he worked as an “undercover” car salesman. This led to a series of articles called “Confessions of a Car Salesman.” Additionally, he wrote DIY articles about car maintenance and repair and took high-performance driving lessons on race tracks in Nevada and California. Later, he wrote a syndicated automotive column for Nerdwallet. He recently he authored the book Electric Cars: How to Get Rolling Today. For Jerry he will use his experience to help car owners make smart decisions about driving, repairing and maintaining their vehicles. Phil lives in Long Beach, Calif., and still enjoys turning wrenches and helping his son change the oil in his 2016 Mazda3.
