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| Air Filter, Cleaning an |
| This DIY Basic, brought to you by K & N Engineering, will provide tips on cleaning an air filter. |
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To improve gas mileage, you may want to help your vehicle "breathe" better by cleaning the air filter. - Your vehicle’s air filter can easily be used for 15-30,000 miles and is supposed to look dirty.
- You’ll need to clean it if you notice a measurable decrease in gas mileage or when the dirt is caked on the filter.
- By checking the owner’s manual, you’ll be able to locate the air filter.
- It’s either held in place by clamps (figure A) you can flip up or with a wing-nut you can unscrew.
- Once the air filter is out, you can clean it by tapping it to remove loose dirt.
- Some washable filters come with a spray-on cleaner that takes about 10 minutes to loosen up the gunk.
- The cleaner comes off after rinsing with cool, low-pressure water (figure B).
- Excess water can be shaken off and the filter should be dry naturally.
- Some manufacturer’s recommend using a special oil (figure C) that creats a sticky barrier to help capture dust.
- With proper care, it’s possible one of today’s filters will be the last one your vehicle will ever need.
Web Extras - Other mileage saving tips include: Making sure your tires are properly inflated and removing any unused accessory racks or heavy items.
- If you track your mileage, you do not need to service your air filter until you see a decline in MPG and that may take a long time.
- For most diesel vehicles, there is a gauge located on the air box that will pop up when the filter needs serviced.
- Another way to see if your air filter needs to be services is to lift it out and hold it up to the sun or a strong light. Is light streaming through it? Try dropping it lightly to jar some loose dirt. If the filter is still too dirty to see through, you probably need a new one.
- Look to buy well-known, quality air filters and make sure the filter matches your old filter’s size and shape.
- The amount of dirt that gets into the engine determines the life or the car.
- Unscrew the wing nut and other hold-down devices and lift the entire air cleaner up.
If it doesn’t move, look for other clamps or screws to disconnect. If you have to take off more than one hose, draw a sketch before you detach anything, this will help you remember.
RESOURCES :
K & N Engineering Information
Website: www.knfilters.com
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