The air filter in your car is the one component that is almost always overlooked in routine maintenance. Even when it’s time for a new filter, many people are understandably hesitant to throw away their perfectly good filter. However, the cost of repairing an air filter that has seen too many years of abuse outweighs the cost of replacing it. If you’ve noticed a significant drop in performance, or if your car has been emitting a foul smell for a while now, it’s probably time to replace the air filter. Even if the car is still running well, it could be saving you from a breakdown at some point in the future. Read on to learn more about common air filter repairs so you can stay informed about what to expect when it’s time for your next oil change.

Worn-out filter

The most common air filter repair is when a car’s filter has exceeded its life expectancy. A car’s air filter typically lasts between 100 and 150 miles before it needs to be replaced. If you’ve been going on long road trips, or if you live in an area with high pollution, you may be putting your car’s engine and the passengers inside at risk. Worn-out filters can lead to a build-up of carbon dioxide and other harmful substances. This could lead to a number of different issues, including a drop in performance and an increase in the amount of exhaust gas emitted from the engine. If you’ve noticed a significant drop in performance, or if your car has been emitting a foul smell for a while now, it’s probably time to replace the air filter.

Loose filter ring

A loose filter ring can be a result of a number of issues, including the use of an incompatible filter, or a faulty mounting bracket. If your filter ring is loose, it won’t be doing its job, and dust, dirt, and other harmful particles will be entering your engine. Loose filter rings can be a serious hazard and should be replaced as soon as possible. If you notice that the filter ring on your car is loose, it’s best to replace the entire filter. Even if the rest of the air filter is in good condition, it’s more efficient to replace the entire unit.

Loose filter mesh

Loose filter mesh is often a result of a faulty mounting bracket, or a filter that has been installed in an improper manner. If the filter ring on your car is loose, it’s best to replace the entire filter. Even if the rest of the air filter is in good condition, it’s more efficient to replace the entire unit. Loose filter mesh can lead to a decrease in performance, and can also cause issues with the amount of exhaust gas emitted from the engine. If you notice that the filter mesh on your car is loose, it’s best to replace the entire filter.

Damaged filter media

If the filter mesh is damaged, it’s best to replace the entire filter. This is especially true if the filter has been installed in an improper manner. If the filter ring on your car is loose, it’s best to replace the entire filter. Even if the rest of the air filter is in good condition, it’s more efficient to replace the entire unit. A damaged filter can lead to a decrease in performance, and can also cause issues with the amount of exhaust gas emitted from the engine. If you notice that the filter mesh on your car is damaged, it’s best to replace the entire filter.

Dust build-up

Dust build-up is a common problem that can be caused by a number of issues. If the filter ring on your car is loose, it’s best to replace the entire filter. Even if the rest of the air filter is in good condition, it’s more efficient to replace the entire unit. If the filter ring is damaged, it’s best to replace the entire filter. Even if the rest of the air filter is in good condition, it’s more efficient to replace the entire unit. Dust build-up can lead to a decrease in performance, and can also cause issues with the amount of exhaust gas emitted from the engine. If you notice that the filter ring on your car is damaged, it’s best to replace the entire filter.

Conclusion

The air filter in your car is the one component that is almost always overlooked in routine maintenance. Even when it’s time for a new filter, many people are understandably hesitant to throw away their perfectly good filter. However, the cost of repairing an air filter that has seen too many years of abuse outweighs the cost of replacing it. If you’ve noticed a significant drop in performance, or if your car has been emitting a foul smell for a while now, it’s probably time to replace the air filter. Even if the car is still running well, it could be saving you from a breakdown at some point in the future.

Frequently Asked Question

You should change your air filters every 90 days. However, if you have allergies, you better change them after 45 days. It also depends on the MERV rating of the filters you are using. On average, it is highly recommended to change your air filters every 90 days. 
Yes, it does. There are many types of air filters and their performance is based on their material and most of the time their MERV rating. Choosing the best one will make a huge impact on how long your HVAC system will last.
HVAC air filters have different variations depending on their quality and sizes. Most HVAC manufacturers would recommend buying a new air filter that is compatible with HVAC. These air filters have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value or MERV which will tell you their overall performance in filtering contaminants in the air.
Most likely it will not filter the air properly. Dust will accumulate on your filter thus affecting some parts of your Air Conditioning unit. Aside from not being able to work properly in filtering the air, it will damage the system of your AC, because the airflow is affected.