When it comes to air filters, the general consensus is that they should be replaced every 90 days or 3 months. However, this may vary depending on the location of your home, if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the house, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and for households with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend changing the filter every 20 to 45 days. Vacation homes or vacant homes that don't have much use can usually wait to change filters every 9-12 months. The ideal is to change your air filter every three months, however, there are certain factors to consider when determining when to change an old filter.
A general rule of thumb is to keep track of how long the air filter has been in place. The recommended average length of service is approximately 10,000 to 15,000 miles, which for most people is approximately every year. But keep in mind that, as with most things related to your car, this is just a recommendation and doesn't take into account your individual driving situation. If you can't tell by looking, but it's been more than three years or 30,000 miles, you should probably buy a new one (especially if you can save money doing it yourself). However, you should be careful if every time you change the oil, the repair shop says you also need a new air filter. A typical manufacturer recommends replacing air filters every 30 to 90 days; however, this depends on the life of the filter and other environmental factors inside the home.
The strongest filters are reusable, usually with metal frames, and can be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions. The easiest way to know for sure how often to change your engine air filter is to consult the maintenance section of the owner's manual, or simply Google the manufacturer's recommended service interval. You can visually check the engine air filter to see if it looks dirty or if it is full of debris. As air moves through a building's HVAC system, air filters trap and pick up large and small particles, such as dust, allergens and microorganisms. This is especially true if homeowners begin to notice particles floating in the air and subsequently cause allergic reactions. If you've driven more than that since the last time you changed your air filter, it's probably time to change it.
A good indication that the air filter needs to be replaced is the presence of black smoke coming from the exhaust pipes when you start the engine. Maintenance schedules for different vehicle brands differ in how often the air filter needs to be changed. Replacing your engine air filter is an often overlooked maintenance item, but a dirty air filter can have a negative effect on your car's performance.
