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How often should an air filter element be replaced. I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and the last two times I have had it serviced the mechanics have replaced the air filter - not a cheap experience!

I just wondered how often this should be done, and if there's anything I can do to prevent the need for replacement.

Megan

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 26 August 2009

It's a fair question as often air filter elements are replaced for the wrong reasons in my experience.

There is no time factor when it comes to a replacement period, it depends on distance travelled and the environment the car is driven in.

As the name suggests an air filter element filters the air entering the engine, so if a car was being driven on a metal / dusty road on a regular basis then the element is going to need replacing at regular intervals.

If however the driving has been done mainly on sealed roads and the total distance travelled per year is less than 10,000km's then the filter could last several years. My wife's car for example is just over 5 years old but has only travelled 25,000km's and the filter has never been changed.

Servicing comes down to having a trusted service provider who will only change parts like this as required. Quite often it's not that you are being taken advantage of deliberately, it's simply lack of attention to detail and people assuming these parts need to be replaced without checking.

If you have a high mileage vehicle that is driven on unsealed roads then the replacement may well be justified.

If not, I suggest you ask to speak to the workshop foreman or similar and discuss your concerns about future servicing costs.

Also ask for parts to be retained in future and to be shown the reason for replacement when the car is collected