The engine and turbocharger in your BMW have no other defenses against dangerous debris beyond the air filter. As it draws air in from the outside, the air filter will eventually become clogged with dirt, decreasing the engine’s airflow and its capacity to keep hazardous particles out. The smallest dust and dirt particles can harm your engine if they are allowed to enter, and monitoring the condition of your filter is as easy as keeping note of how many miles it has traveled.
On your BMW with an F30 chassis, changing the air filter is as simple as it gets. The airbox is located directly in front of the engine bay, and accessing it simply requires a flathead screwdriver. The ideal do-it-yourself project to get you or a friend started with vehicle maintenance is changing the air filter.
In This Article...
What is the price of changing a BMW air filter?
Depending on your BMW model and model year, a cabin air filter change might cost anywhere from $30 to $70. Keep in mind that visiting a licensed BMW repair shop like Rusnak BMW can help you save money on the cost of new filters and cabin air filter replacement services.
In a BMW, where is the air filter located?
Either beneath the glove box, under the dashboard, or under the hood of your car is where you’ll find the cabin air filter. Most frequently, it will be behind the glove box.
When should I replace the air filter in my BMW?
Generally speaking, your BMW’s cabin air filter needs to be replaced every 15,000 to 20,000 miles. However, this might not always be the case. When to replace a cabin air filter depends on a variety of circumstances, including the type of BMW, the driving environment, and the time of year. Drivers need to be aware of how crucial filter replacement is if they want to get the most out of their BMW all year. Make an appointment for an inspection with a BMW expert.
It’s simple to forget when you own a BMW that it needs regular service and maintenance to keep running at its best because they are year-round outstanding automobiles and hardly ever need major repairs or maintenance.
Which air filters does BMW employ?
BMW is making improvements to a feature that has long been included as standard in the cars of the company. Previously restricted to only the most expensive car model ranges, cabin-air filters have filtered through lineups throughout the years to become an almost universal equipment. They are now standard in what seems to be the majority of cars now on the market, and several high-end automakers have boasted that their systems can filter out the allergens that regrettably annoy so many of us. Without discussing Tesla, which boasts its bioweapon protection mode, any discussion of cabin-air filtering would likewise be incomplete.
While BMW is boosting the availability of so-called nano-particle cabin-air filters within its portfolio, Tesla’s systems rely on HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, which are readily accessible in the aftermarket from a variety of original equipment manufacturers like Bosch. The filters, which will be unveiled in the fall of 2020, use what is known as nano-fleece formed of nano-fiber laying on top of a conventional activated carbon layer. The filters were initially standard on the X7 and were available as an option on the 7 Series and 8 Series, along with the X5 and X6, and all of their respective M derivatives. They are now only available with optional four-zone temperature control.
BMW’s nano-particle design takes things to the next level, catching particles as small as 100 nanometers in size, or 0.1 micron, while HEPA filters can remove particles from the air as small as 0.3 micron. According to BMW, its nano-particle filters can remove 40% more dangerous airborne particles than current standard filter technology, including soot, emissions particulate, ultra-fine dust, bacterial microorganisms, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide.
BMW has been actively developing cutting-edge filter systems since the early 1990s, according to Dr. Christian Rosskopf, a specialist with the BMW Group. But because of recent developments, including—and possibly especially—those in the fight against urban pollution, “we have accelerated the adoption of our latest filter technologies.”
In 1998, BMW debuted combination filters, which combine traditional air particulate filtration with activated carbon to create a single unit. BMW responded by making fine-dust filters standard equipment in China in 2015 and in South Korea starting in 2020 as a result of the deteriorating air quality that had become a regional problem in Asia. The same year, fine-dust filters were made optionally available for all BMW markets.
How many air filters are there in a BMW?
The engine air filter and the cabin air filter are the two air filters on a BMW that need to be replaced on a regular basis. First, let’s talk about the cabin air filter.
Can I replace the air filter on my own?
Even if you might not be prepared to handle tasks like changing the oil or the spark plugs in your automobile, you can easily change the engine air filter. Making this repair yourself can save you a lot of money. For changing an air filter, many fast lube shops charge up to $25 or more.
The engine air filter in your car makes sure that only pure air gets to the engine. Your car needs clean air to operate effectively. Without an air filter, your engine would suffer harm from the air induction system becoming clogged with bugs, leaves, dirt, and other material.
The right amount of clean air cannot reach the engine when the engine air filter is unclean, which can cause a variety of issues for your car. You can notice poor engine performance or a lack of power, decreased gas mileage, or your Check Engine light turning on if your car’s air filter is unclean.
Checking your engine air filter should be the first step in troubleshooting should you experience any of these symptoms. At each oil change, it is a good idea to inspect the air filter.
Your engine air filter should be replaced once a year or every 12,000 miles. You should replace the engine air filter more frequently if you reside in a dusty environment. Your engine stays clean by having a clean air filter. Bottom line: Your engine’s first line of defense against dirt and optimal operation is a clean air filter.
Maximum engine performance is ensured by replacing your air filter with a high-quality Champion air filter. You may be certain to locate a Champion air filter for your automobile thanks to the company’s coverage of 95% of the U.S. auto market.
What does a BMW filter cost?
Cost of a BMW air filter Depending on the type of filter needed, engine air filters normally range in price from $20 to $45 while cabin air filters typically cost between $15 and $35.
How long is the lifespan of a BMW engine air filter?
The owner’s manual for the majority of BMWs specifies 30,000 mile maintenance. But sometimes it’s too much to wait for the filter to become obviously soiled. Another criterion is to check for a filter replacement every three years if the vehicle does not travel more than 30,000 miles per year.
What does a BMW oil filter cost?
After discounts, a BMW oil filter typically costs between $8.99 and $19.99 depending on a number programmable factors. The cost of labor is typically more expensive than the filter itself in most situations.
Has BMW ever used gasoline filters?
In essence, it is advised that BMWs have their gasoline filters replaced every three years. However, depending on how many miles you put on your car, this could be wholly false.
What happens if your engine air filter isn’t changed?
The engine won’t be able to pull in enough air to the combustion chamber when the air filter is too dirty and becomes clogged. When this occurs, the engine will utilize less air and more gas, lowering its performance and decreasing its fuel economy. Your check engine light will probably come on. Even though lasting harm is unusual, if the air filter is neglected for a long enough period of time, the engine may completely shut off. Over time, external debris might accumulate and seriously damage the combustion chamber.
How do you determine whether your automobile requires a new air filter?
Many auto owners are unsure about the ideal time to change their car’s air filter. There are methods for determining whether your car needs a new filter. Here are five indicators that it’s time to replace your car’s air filter.
- A brand-new air filter will be off-white or white. The filter will get darker as more dirt builds up inside of it. Make sure to replace your filter with a fresh one if it appears dark. There may occasionally be dirt in the deeper levels that is difficult to see. If this is the case, a mechanic can investigate.
- Turning on the check engine light
- The air filter may be to blame occasionally for the Check Engine Light to illuminate. Lack of air might cause carbon to accumulate and turn on the warning light. When you bring the automobile in for maintenance, the mechanic can investigate what set off the warning indicator.
- reduced horsepower
- If there isn’t enough air, the automobile will jerk when you hit the gas or won’t react as effectively. The air filter should be changed to resolve this issue.
- Exhaust Pipe Emitting Black, Sooty Smoke
- If there is not enough oxygen present, fuel may not burn as it should. If you see this, you should clean or replace the air filter right away. Additionally warning of this issue, popping noises or flames at the tailpipe can be quite dangerous. If you detect this right away, take your automobile to the shop for repair.
- gas smell when the engine first starts
- You need to change your air filter if your car starts up with a gas smell. The scent is the result of the fuel that failed to burn due to a lack of air leaving it and exiting through the tailpipe.
What symptoms indicate a faulty air filter?
When oxygen has a hard time getting to the engine, fuel may not be burning off quickly enough. Some of the fuel may end up seeping through the system and out of your exhaust pipe as a result of this. As superheated fuel is released through your exhaust system, you can also hear popping sounds.
This problem wastes gasoline and poses a serious risk to the environment and your car. Be sure to investigate any strange exhaust fumes.
Can air filters impact how well an automobile performs?
Your car’s performance may significantly change depending on your air filter. Clean and properly installed air filters improve acceleration, fuel efficiency, and engine life while lowering pollutants. Impressive for a part that is typically disregarded.
For an internal combustion engine to operate, about 10,000 liters of air must be mixed with each liter of fuel. The air filter allows air to enter the engine. Without sufficient air intake, the engine won’t get the oxygen it needs to burn the fuel mixture correctly because it will be excessively fuel-rich.
The majority of manufacturers advise changing your air filter either every 12 months or every 12,000 miles (19,000 km), whichever comes first. However, if you live in a rural location or anywhere where there is a lot of dust or other impurities in the air, you might think about changing your air filter more frequently.
Can a dirty air filter allow me to drive?
Can a dirty air filter harm my engine while I’m driving? It is conceivable, yes. If an air filter isn’t working properly, it can be allowing debris, dust, and other pollutants into your engine, possibly resulting in damage.
What occurs if the engine air filter gets clogged?
The amount of air delivered to the engine is reduced by a dirty air filter. This may result in more unburned fuel, which eventually develops into soot residue. Spark plug tips may accumulate soot, which prevents them from producing a strong spark. In response, the vehicle may jerk, idle, and under some conditions, misfire.