When it comes to engine air filters, it's important to understand that you get what you pay for. Expensive filters are made of better quality materials than cheap air filters, often using fiberglass which is a porous material that can trap more dust and pollen than other materials such as cardboard or paper. You'll pay more for a washable air filter because it will last you for years, rather than months. While this is a good idea in theory, it has several drawbacks such as lower MERV rates, frequent maintenance requirements, and the possibility of attracting mold to the air unit. Replacing the air filter is usually a quick and easy job.
It won't cost you much if you take it to the store or do it yourself. Often, you can do this at the same time you change the oil, in which case it won't take any longer. But you can save a lot of time and money if you do it yourself. Contrary to popular belief, an expensive air filter with more surface area does not let more air through. Instead, it provides better filtration by trapping more particles using fairly loose pores.
The car owner's manual will provide the mileage marks for the recommended changes to the cabin air filter, although they vary depending on the type of vehicle and the manufacturer. This is especially true in homes with older HVAC units, which weren't built to accommodate thicker air filters. Those who drive in congested urban areas or in places with poor air quality may need to replace their filters more often. Expensive high-quality air filters not only provide clean air to the engine, but also to the user by removing mold spores, dust allergens and other air pollutants that all car passengers inhale. Although both go hand in hand, since they remove dirt and offer clean air to the engine, any branded air filter will offer its services for a longer period compared to an inexpensive, unbranded one. If you can find a reusable filter that captures the types of contaminants you need to filter for your family, you could pay more money upfront but save in the long run.
You can find the air filter in the cold air manifold box located on one side of the engine, in the case of newer vehicles, or in the circular air filter above the carburetor, in the case of older vehicles. The cheaper filters are made of spun fibreglass which does very little to filter air compared to materials such as paper, cotton or polyester. FilterBuy sells more expensive air filters for a reason: they're worth it because of their quality and comfort. The filter not only provides clean air to the combustion process but also helps your vehicle provide better mileage. A dirty filter can't do its job properly and filter out contaminants so it's important to replace your car filter frequently. Any expensive and durable air filter will not only increase the life of the engine but will also protect it from costly engine repairs.