How Much Will a Car Air Filter Replacement Cost?
Last Updated on December 11, 2023
Your car has two air filters that need to be replaced semi-regularly, including cabin air filters and engine air filters.
You can expect to pay around $100 to $200 to replace an air filter in your vehicle. Generally, it costs $20 to $85 for the replacement air filter and less than an hour of labor to replace the filter.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the average cost of air filter replacement.
Key Takeaways:
- Vehicles have two air filters, cabin and engine, which require regular replacement to maintain vehicle performance and air quality.
- The cost to replace a car air filter ranges from $100 to $200, including parts and labor, but DIY replacements can significantly reduce costs to $20 to $50 for filters.
- Cabin air filters, costing $20 to $50, should be replaced annually, while engine air filters, ranging from $40 to $100, need replacement every 15,000 miles or every three oil changes.
- Replacing air filters is a simple task, often requiring only 30 to 60 minutes of labor, and can be done at home with online tutorials, potentially saving hundreds annually.
It Costs $100 to $200 to Replace a Car Air Filter
Generally, you can expect to spend $100 to $200 to replace an air filter in your vehicle, including parts and labor.
Any mechanic or dealership can replace a cabin or engine air filter. You may want to change your filters during an oil change, for example.
Alternatively, you can replace your own cabin or engine air filters yourself. By changing the filter yourself, you could spend as little as $20 to $50 on the filters, helping you save on the cost of labor.
A cabin air filter costs $20 to $50 and should be replaced annually. An engine air filter, meanwhile, costs $40 to $100 and should be replaced roughly every 15,000 miles. Some drivers replace their cabin air filters with every oil change and their engine air filters with every three oil changes.
Types of Car Air Filters
Your car has two air filters, including:
- Cabin air filter
- Engine air filter
You need to change both filters regularly to ensure optimal performance of your vehicle.
Your cabin air filter affects the air you and your passengers breathe. As air passes through the filter, the filter traps contaminants like airborne particles, dirt, dust, and noxious fumes, making the cabin air safer for you to breathe. The cabin air filter also improves the efficiency of our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems within your vehicle.
The engine air filter, meanwhile, cleans the air that enters your engine. You want the air entering your engine to be clean to reduce particle buildup in your engine. Your engine needs air for the combustion process. If your engine air filter is dirty, then the air entering your engine is dirty, which could increase the risk of long-term issues. Engine air filters come in three varieties: round, conical, and flat.
How Often to Change the Cabin Air Filter
Some experts recommend changing the cabin air filter every time you get an oil change. Others recommend it every two or three oil changes.
If you live in a dirtier environment – like a city with air pollution – then you may need to change your cabin air filter more frequently. People living in wildfire-prone areas and areas with similar hazards may also need to clean their cabin air filters more frequently.
Check your owner’s manual to verify cabin air filter change frequency. Frequency changes depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
How Often to Change the Engine Air Filter
You should expect to change the engine air filter roughly every 12,000 to 15,000 miles – or every three oil changes.
Check your owner’s manual to see exactly how frequently to change your engine air filter. Newer vehicles may require fewer changes than older vehicles.
How Much Do Air Filters Cost?
When replacing an air filter, you’ll need to pay two costs: parts and labor.
Cabin air filters typically cost $20 to $50, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
Engine air filters, meanwhile, cost anywhere from $25 to $100, which again depends on the make and model of your vehicle.
Many manufacturers offer special, approved versions of air filters. These versions tend to cost significantly more than other versions.
How Much Labor is Involved in Air Filter Replacements?
Replacing an air filter is a straightforward job regardless of your automotive skills.
Some drivers save hundreds annually by regularly replacing their air filters at home. Others prefer working with a dealership or mechanic.
Generally, you can expect to pay for 30 to 60 minutes of labor to replace an engine or cabin air filter.
If you want to replace your air filter yourself, then you can find plenty of tutorials online. In many vehicles, replacing the cabin air filter is as easy as opening the glove box, removing the hooks holding the glove box in place, sliding away the old cabin air filter, and replacing it with a new air filter. On other vehicles, however, the cabin air filter may be harder to access.
Final Word
You need to replace cabin and engine air filters regularly to ensure your vehicle continues to run its best.
If paying a mechanic to replace cabin air filters, you can generally expect to spend $100 to $200, including parts and labor.
Alternatively, if you replace the air filters yourself, you can expect to spend around $20 to $80 on the filters themselves and then save on labor.
Contact your dealership or local mechanic to get a quote for air filter replacement.
