An engine air filter is a device that is designed to remove dust, dirt, and other contaminants from the air before it enters the engine of your vehicle. The filter is typically located in the air intake system of the engine, and its purpose is to prevent these contaminants from entering the combustion chamber and damaging the engine. It acts like a sieve to strain out particles from the air that would otherwise flow right into the intake in the air – things like bugs, leaves, pollen, dirt, and moisture.

An air filter can look like a short cylinder or a flat, rectangular box, or even like a cone. It’s made of pleated synthetic fibers in most cases, although some can contain natural cotton fibers or foam, sandwiched between plastic or metal mesh to maintain its shape and structure. A replacement air filter has a massive price range depending on what you drive, and it could be as little as $6 or over $150.

A clean air filter is essential for maintaining the efficiency and performance of the engine, and it is usually recommended to replace the air filter at regular intervals to ensure that it is functioning properly. In most cases, the air filter needs to be replaced once per year, and sometimes even more often than that. These are signs that your air filter is ready for a replacement or past due.