Does changing the filters help with fuel economy??
Asked by Liam Oct 28, 2013 at 04:01 PM about the 1999 Honda CR-V
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My girlfriends Honda CRV is getting 240 miles to the tank...she has no clue about the
sevice history or does not remember details on its service history...im wondering if, by
changing the filters, will it improve the fuel economy of the vehicle??
1 Answer
Yes, but don't expect dramatic results. There are lots of factors that go into overall fuel efficiency, everything from driving conditions, driving style, tire pressure and wear, passenger/cargo load, you get the picture. It used to be standard to recommend changing the fuel filter in your car once a year or every 30,000 miles. With newer cars it may be a longer interval requirement, or you may not need to replace it at all so check with the car manufacturer guidelines for your specific model and year. Many CRV's have the fuel filter in the tank or right next to it and it may just be a screen that doesn't need to be changed. Check with Honda service center for more info or a good honda mechanic in your area. For engine air filters it is recommended to change every 10,000 miles or so, some crvs can go much longer before being changed unless visibly dirty. Oil filters should be changed at every oil change and for most cars every 3000 miles or so unless you use synthetic oil or a synthetic blend and it may be longer between intervals. Again, check the manufacturers guidelines for recommended maintenance intervals. I say it's a good idea to start fresh and at least change the engine air filter, oil and oil filter, and cabin air filter. Peace of mind is a great thing to have when it comes to car performance IMOO.