Changing the filters in your automobile is as important as any other preventative maintenance. Rick’s Auto Center can replace your car, truck, or SUV’s filters when they need it. Let’s talk about the different filters found in automobiles below and what they do. We will also list the general recommendations for their changing schedules. This being said, it’s a good idea to consult with your owner’s manual to see what filters are in your car and when they need to be changed.
Air
The air filter is located in the engine and it is used to purify the air that is burned in the combustion chamber. The air filter needs to be changed every 12,000 miles. If the odometer has not turned over this amount of mileage in a year, have the air filter changed then. Failure to change the air filter can clog it and create engine performance problems and poor fuel economy.
Cabin
Most cabin air filters are located behind the glove compartment. This being said, not all vehicles have a cabin air filter. The general recommendations for changing this filter very between 6,000 miles and 30,000 miles. Your owner’s manual will list whether your vehicle has a cabin air filter and when it needs to be changed. Stick to the schedule.
Fuel
All automobiles have fuel filters to purify the fuel before it is burned in the combustion chamber. The fuel filter needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. If you don’t drive 30,000 miles in two years, have the fuel filter changed then. A clogged fuel filter will also affect how well your engine performs and your vehicle’s fuel economy.
Oil
The oil filter is a filter that you don’t really have to think about because it is changed when the oil is changed. The two go hand-in-hand. As such, the oil filter is changed every 3,000 miles. If the oil filter gets clogged, it will be unable to purify the motor oil before it circulates through the engine again. This can cause damage to your engine and increase your vehicle’s harmful emissions.
Transmission
Finally, the transmission filter is another filter that may or may not be in your automobile. If your vehicle has a filter in the transmission, plan to have it changed every 30,000 miles with the transmission fluid.
Call Rick’s Auto Center today to set up an automotive filter check for your automobile. We will inspect all of the filters and replace the ones that are dirty.
