When it comes to taking care of your car, it always helps to look for inexpensive ways to do things. There’s nothing wrong with trying to save money since owning and maintaining a vehicle can take a hit on your wallet if you’re not paying attention. An easy way to save money on car maintenance costs is cleaning certain filters instead of replacing them. Some filters, like the oil and fuel filters, should be replaced by your mechanic, but there are others that can be cleaned. Let’s take a look at which car filters can be cleaned instead of just replaced.
Cabin Air Filter
Your first instinct might be to replace a dirty air filter, but cleaning it can extend its life and save you some money in the long run. A cabin air filter lasts about a year without cleaning, so if you decide to clean it quarterly using a vacuum and cloth, you can extend its life by about six months. If you notice a musty smell coming from your vents, it’s probably time to take a look at your cabin air filter.
Intake Air Filter
Although a severely neglected intake air filter should just be replaced, you can extend the life and keep it working more efficiently by cleaning it every couple months. Your intake air filter is meant to keep everything outside from getting in your engine, so it gets pretty saturated with gunk. Once you remove your air filter, shake it out in an open outdoor area to get the larger pieces of debris loose. Then use the small suction attachment on your vacuum to clean each crease. You can use a cleaning solution and cloth to remove any remaining dirt. Be sure your air filter is completely dry before putting it back in your car.
Cleaning your air filters will extend their lives and keep your car running smoothly, all while saving you a little money.