How often do you have to change the fuel filter of your car? – Jalopnik

You probably don’t think much about changing your fuel filter, unless the performance of your car seems a bit slow. It is not part of the maintenance routines of most drivers, such as changing the oil or rotating the tires. But fuel filters in older cars must be changed from time to time. So how often do you have to do that?

The answer varies, depending on the car you drive. If you control a newer car, you may never have to change the fuel filter, because many new cars are equipped with a “lifelong” fuel filter, which is not regularly changed. On older cars it varies from make to making and modeling to modeling, but replacement usually varies from every 20,000 to 40,000 miles or every two to three years. But that range applies to gas engines. Fuel filters for diesel vehicles are a completely different ball game and must be changed more often. Then there are other factors to consider, such as where and how you control your car. If you drive a lot on gravel roads in the country or your car drives low on gas too often, you can change your fuel filter more often. Moreover, cleaning gas is a lot easier in a fuel filter than dirty gas, so it pays to be picky about gas stations.

If you are still not sure how often your fuel filter should be changed, a good place to look is your manual for the owner – it will tell you when every maintenance task must be performed. The manufacturer of the car is always the best source for answers when you have these kinds of questions. However, there may be times when you have to change your fuel filter outside the recommended intervals.

Changing your fuel filter may not be something you should worry about if you have a late model gas vehicle. For example the Manual For the Ford Edge 2017 says: “Your vehicle is equipped with a lifelong fuel filter that is integrated with the fuel tank. Regular maintenance or replacement is not necessary.” Lifelong fuel filters nowadays become quite common. That said, “lifetime” usually does not mean the life of your car, but rather the life of your fuel pump. These filters are often part of the fuel pump composition, which is often in the fuel tank. So when the fuel pump goes out, which may not happen for 100,000 miles, the filter will be replaced with it.

However, it is different with older vehicles. The fuel filter is often not integrated in the gas tank and is somewhere outside. It must be replaced from time to time (usually every 20,000 to 40,000 miles or every two to three years, as stated earlier, although more precise recommendations can be found in most manuals of the owner).

A diesel vehicle is another beast when it comes to changing fuel filters. Ford vehicles with the 6.7L Power Stroke diesel engines each have, not one, but two fuel filters. Ford recommends that these filters are being changed to every third oil change or every 22,500 miles, depending on what comes first. The fuel system in RAM vehicles with the 6.7L Cummins diesel engine can be maintenance-intensive and is supposed to have the fuel filter change every second oil change, no more than 20,000 miles. But if you use biodiesel, the number goes off the 16,000 miles. Consult the manual of your owner again to see what the manufacturer recommends.

If you replace your fuel filter with a technician, it will cost on average between $ 227 and $ 300, from this letter. However, you can lower those costs in two by doing it yourself. Depending on your vehicle, especially older vehicles that do not integrate the fuel filter in the gas tank, the fuel filter is often reasonably accessible, although you may have to climb under your car -but that is not a problem for the most fearless doing -the -similar.

The manual of your owner will explain where the fuel filter is located, but the following instructions are generally applicable to most older gas vehicles that are the fuel filter externally (the process can be more complex for newer vehicles): to start, relieve the fuel pressure through the fuel pump fee and let it run until it is stuck. Switch off the engine and find your fuel filter – this is under the hood in some models, but you will often find it under the car at the gas tank or along the fuel line. Place a drop under the fuel filter and disconnect the fuel pipes. Remove the filter (often connected by bolts or clamps), then install the new filter and add the fuel pipes again. Do not forget to reset the fuse of the fuel pump. Start the engine and check for leaks.

How do you know when your fuel filter should be changed? If the engine of your car has problems, if it is approximately stationary or is performed slowly, or if your engine stops while driving, these may be indications that the fuel filter must be replaced. Don’t forget, check the manufacturer’s recommendations to know when you need to replace your fuel filter for the most accurate advice. Performing the right maintenance can make your car run smoothly.