When to Change Filters in Your INFINITI Vehicle
When an Oil Filter Needs Replacement
Oil filters need to be replaced during every oil change. Occasionally, filters can clog between oil changes. If your oil filter has clogged, your vehicle will utilize a bypass valve that opens up and allows the oil to bypass the filter if it is clogged which may trigger the oil pressure light. If there are issues with your oil filter, it's best to go ahead and schedule an oil change to ensure the oil filter and engine oil are new and working correctly.
When an Engine Air Filter Needs Replacement
Check your INFINITI owner's manual to know when your vehicle needs a new engine air filter, and follow your manufacturer's recommendations. If you notice a decrease in gas mileage or if the filter is full of dirt and debris upon a visual check, it may be time to replace the engine air filter regardless of the miles driven since its last replacement.
When a Cabin Air Filter Needs Replacement
In general, it's recommended that cabin air filters be changed every 15,000 miles. Filters can be changed more regularly if you're driving in highly polluted areas, on dirt roads, or you suffer from allergies. It may be time to replace your cabin air filter if you notice that your heating and air conditioning performance has slowed or diminished, if a whistling sound is coming from the cabin air intake, there's reduced circulation inside your INFINITI, or if the cabin of the car starts to smell dusty, musty, or old.
How to Check and Change Filters
Oil Filter — Difficulty: 3/5
To change the oil filter, you'll want to change the vehicle's oil as well. This repair is completed half below the car and half under the hood, so it might be necessary to drive your INFINITI onto a ramp or blocks. Once you've created the space you need, pop the hood of your vehicle and loosen the oil fill cap. Use your owner's manual to locate the oil drain plug on the underside of the engine block. Place an oil pan below the plug. Remove the oil plug to drain the oil, then, once the reservoir is drained, replace the plug.
With your oil reservoir empty, find the oil filter coming off of the engine block either by consulting your owner's manual or looking for the labeled filter. It's often black, blue, white, or orange. Remember that the filter will likely be holding additional oil, so move the oil pan beneath the filter as you remove it. Screw off the oil filter by hand. Use a filter wrench to loosen the oil filter if you can't loosen it by hand.
Lubricate the gasket of the new filter with fresh motor oil. This will help it fit tightly and ensure no oil leaks to the engine block. Screw the filter by hand until you feel it make contact with the engine block. Tighten the new filter three-quarters of a turn to finish tightening it. Fill the engine with fresh motor oil using the oil fill reservoir under the hood.
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Engine Air Filter — Difficulty: 1/5
To change the engine air filter, pop the hood using the interior hood release located below your steering wheel. Your air intake filters are protected by one or two housings with clips. Release the clips to open the air filter housings and replace the old filters.
Cabin Filter — Difficulty: 2/5
To change cabin filters, open the glove box on the passenger side of the car to access the under-dash cabin air filter. If replacement is required, it is recommended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
The filter is in a housing that opens by way of a pressurized flap that easily lifts out. Remove the dirty filter and use a clean shop towel, paper towel, or rag with rubbing alcohol to clean out the cabin filter housing. Then, insert a clean filter with the air flow down. Replace the pressurized flap on the housing and the rigid rear insert of the glove box before reconnecting the cables and springs of the glove box.
Is it time to replace your INFINITI's filters? Shop genuine INFINITI Parts for OEM cabin and engine air filters and oil filters to help keep your INFINITI running as it should.