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6 minute read Published on Jul 23, 2026 by BrokerLink Communications
More often than not, a vehicle’s air filter doesn’t receive that much attention until something starts to feel off while you’re driving. Your car may feel sluggish, the air in your cabin may smell stale and your fuel economy may suffer.
The good news is that engine and cabin air filters are some of the easiest and most affordable vehicle maintenance tasks you can undertake. This guide outlines what each air filter does, how to replace them and what upgrades are actually worth your money, so you can maintain your vehicle, improve your comfort and prevent expensive repairs down the road.
Your car relies on clean air in two ways. The first is to ensure it operates correctly and the second is to keep you and your passengers comfortable when travelling. Here's what you should know:
An engine air filter is a vital component of your vehicle. Its purpose is to trap harmful contaminants in the air, like dust, dirt, sand and debris, from entering your air intake system. These filters are usually made of chemically-treated paper that is then folded into pleats. When the filter becomes clogged, airflow through your vehicle is restricted, which can lead to reduced fuel economy, performance levels and increased engine wear and tear over time.
Your car’s cabin air filter, on the other hand, cleans the air that enters your vehicle’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC). It also helps trap dust, dirt, pollen, smells, contaminants and exhaust particles before they can circulate in your interior, making it an essential part of your comfort levels, especially if you have allergies.
Important: A common misconception among Canadian drivers is that these filters have overlapping functions. In reality, they work in completely separate systems, meaning replacing one of the air filters does nothing for the other, which is why most drivers make the mistake of replacing their engine air filter but not their cabin air filter and vice versa.
Like most maintenance schedules, how often you replace your car’s air filters will depend on how often you use your vehicle. Here are two different scenarios to consider:
Under normal driving conditions, vehicle manufacturers often recommend the following replacement guidelines:
Most engine air filter replacements should occur within 20,000 to 40,000 kilometres or 12 to 24 months, depending on your vehicle and driving conditions. On the other hand, your cabin air filter replacements should be scheduled every 15,000 to 30,000 kilometres or every 12 to 18 months.
Important: Because car models vary, always reference your owner’s manual and keep in mind that time matters as much as your mileage travelled. Your vehicle’s air filters can degrade even if you don’t drive your vehicle often.
A large majority of Canadian driving conditions do fall into the severe service category, even if it doesn’t seem like it. For example, driving on gravel roads, near construction zones or in rural areas can expose your air filters to heavy dust conditions and debris.
At the same time, driving in the winter can expose your car to sand and salt, while driving in the summer and spring increases its exposure to pollen. In more recent years, as wildfires become more frequent and severe, the smoke is also something that can impact your car’s air filter and warrant increasing the frequency of how often you change your air filter.
Important: As a rule of thumb, you should have your air filters checked every time you go in for an oil change if you drive in dusty, smoky or during rush hour with lots of stop-and-go driving.
Unlike other car maintenance tasks, inspecting your engine air filter is quick and requires minimal tools:
Turn your engine off and open your car’s hood.
Locate where your engine air filter is stored. Typically, it will be in a black plastic box near your vehicle’s engine.
Once you’ve released the screws, carefully remove the filter from its box.
Hold your engine air filter up to a light. If minimal light passes through, you have a clogged filter.
Check for any dirt, leaves, insects or oil in the black box.
Wipe away any debris if needed with a clean cloth.
Fit the new air filter in the housing unit and re-secure the screws.
If your air filter is slightly dirty, that’s normal. Heavy buildup or packed debris is something you should pay attention to.
Important: Paper air filters need to be replaced, not washed.
Your cabin air filter access point will depend on the type of vehicle you have. Most of the time, you can find them behind the glove box, under the dashboard or near the bottom of your windshield:
Access the filter compartment and pay attention to the airflow direction arrow.
Remove the old filter carefully to avoid dumping debris in your car.
Inspect it for dust, dirt and other contaminants.
Install the new air filter.
Ensure the air filter is secure and fitted correctly to prevent rattling as air passes through it.
When it’s time for an air filter replacement, your vehicle will usually present warning signs you’ll need to pay attention to:
Symptoms associated with your car's engine include:
Poor engine performance (sluggish acceleration)
Reduced fuel efficiency levels.
Your vehicle may hesitate or idle roughly.
Keep an eye out for the following red flags:
Weak airflow from air vents.
Ongoing smells when your HVAC system is on.
Increased windshield fogging.
Worsening allergy symptoms.
Not all air filters are the same and a higher price point doesn’t necessarily always mean better performance levels. Types of air filters include:
Paper (OEM-style) filters: These filters are affordable, low-maintenance and effective. They meet manufacturer specs. and work well for most vehicles and everyday drivers.
Oiled performance filters: These air filters are reusable and specifically designed to increase airflow. They do require more work to maintain.
Carbon cabin air filters: These can be made with activated charcoal to help reduce smells and engine exhaust gases, making them a good option for those who live and travel in the city.
HEPA or high-efficiency cabin filters: These filters trap fine particles like smoke and allergens. They can be helpful during wildfire season, but must be installed correctly according to the type of vehicle you have, as they have a higher airflow resistance that can strain your HVAC system otherwise.
Replacing your air filter is a straightforward process that takes between 5 and 10 minutes at most. Typical costs can range from $15 to $40 for an engine filter and $20 to $60 for cabin air filters. HEPA filters will come with a higher price tag.
Having an auto body shop will increase the cost because you have to factor in labour, but it’s often convenient for drivers, as you can ask for a filter change when you’re changing your oil. Most filters can be disposed of in your household waste bins, but depending on where you live, you may have to follow certain recycling rules, which can vary.
A simple maintenance schedule can help keep your air filters from being neglected during the year. Here’s what you need to remember:
Spring: Check your cabin air filter, especially if you have allergies.
Summer: Check the engine filter after travelling in wildfire, construction or other dusty areas.
Fall: Replace the cabin filter.
Winter: Inspect the engine filter if you’re driving on salted or gravel roads.
Pro tip: Keep a maintenance log that notes the date, filter type and kilometres driven.
Want to learn more about your car’s air filter? Contact BrokerLink today. As automotive experts, we can help you decide when an appropriate time is to change your filter. In addition to helping you find a great policy, you can also request a free car insurance quote at BrokerLink. Reach out to us today and let us answer all of your car insurance-related questions!
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