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How Often Should I Replace My Air Filter?

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The engine air filter (which cleans the air going into the engine) should be changed every two years or sooner on most vehicles. Many manufacturers recommend every two years but say it should happen more often if most of your driving is done in a major urban area with heavy traffic and poor air quality, or under frequently dusty conditions. A clogged air filter will reduce the amount of air going into the engine and slow acceleration, though it likely will have little effect on fuel economy, based on tests conducted by the EPA. Air filters aren’t that expensive, so replacing them annually shouldn’t break the bank.

Rick Popely

Contributor Rick Popely has covered the auto industry for decades and hosts a weekly online radio show on TalkZone.com.

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