How to Clean Your Car’s Air Filter

The air filter of your car is designed to supply clean air to your car’s engine. The air will then be mixed with the fuel to produce power. Eventually, the air filter will be filled with dirt, dust, and other particles found in the air. Once it becomes clogged, it is recommended to clean the air filter of your used cars in Calgary to maintain its MPG and performance.

How to Clean Your Car’s Air Filter

Important Tips When Cleaning an Air Filter

If you have a clear understanding of the mechanism of your car, cleaning your car’s air filter should not be difficult. Pay attention to this step-by-step guide provided by used car dealers. Hopefully, this will make it easier for you to complete the cleaning process.

Finding the Air Filter

The location of the air filter is just above the engine of your car. It should be easy for you to reach it. If you are having trouble locating it, you have to read the car's manual. The manual should come with an illustration of the car and the different components with proper labels. If you have a used car in Calgary, there is a chance that you have not been supplied with a manual. If that is the case, there should be a digital version of the manual online. For those who don’t want to browse the manual, you can also watch a video tutorial on YouTube. 

How to Remove the Car’s Air Filter

Your air filter may be enclosed with a metal or plastic housing. You will have to open this casing before you can access the air filter. If you have a newer model, removing the filter should be simple. Usually, you will just have to remove the clip. For those who have an older model, the best used car dealership in Calgary will tell you that there are bolts and screws on the housing. You may have to unscrew this to open the housing and pull the filter out.

Using a Vacuum Cleaner

Perhaps the simplest way to clean your air filter according to the used car dealers would be with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Simply connect the hose connection to your vacuum cleaner and you are now armed with the best tool to clean the ridges of your filter. Clean both sides of the ridges for about two minutes. Be sure to eliminate all the debris and dirt. Once you are done, examine the filter while holding it up to the bright light. It will reveal all the dirt that you have missed. Clean it once more before placing it back again.

How to Use Water to Clean the Air Filter

If the air filter is just too dirty and you are not in a hurry, it is recommended to use water to clean the filter of used cars in Calgary. Once you consider the drying time, understand that the whole process will be a lot longer. Nonetheless, it will give you the result that you want. Add laundry detergent in a bucket of water and submerge the air filter into it. Using your hand, remove the materials that accumulated in your filter. Take out the filter from the water and shake it vigorously to dislodge the excess dirt. Rinse it in clean running water. Once you are happy with the result, set it aside and allow it to dry for about 24 hours. The filter should be completely dry before you can place it back into your car.

The air filter of used cars in Calgary should be cleaned every 24140 kilometers. Read your manual first since it should have the recommended service schedule. For those in rural areas, you may have to clean the filter more frequently.