We’re all trying to squeeze more miles out of our cars these days, as well as more mileage out of each gallon of gas. One thing you can do that will help on both fronts is to regularly replace your air filter. Your car’s engine needs air to run, and that air is drawn in through the air filter to keep impurities from getting into the engine. The dirtier your air filter, the harder your engine has to work. The harder your engine has to work, the worse your gas mileage and the less gusto your car has when you need it.

Fortunately, changing your air filter is a fairly simple process. A quick peek at your owner’s manual will help you locate your air filter. Beyond that, you’ll need a new air filter, a flat head screwdriver, and a cool, refreshing beverage. Stop by your local auto parts store for the air filter – if you can’t figure out which one is right for your car, ask a sales person for help.

Replacing your air filter is best done when your engine is cool and you have plenty of light. Your car engine should be turned off. Open the hood of your car and fasten it in the upright and opened position. Look for the housing that contains the air filter – this is usually a black plastic case that’s held in place with metal clips on the sides. Unfasten the metal clips to remove the top of the housing. You may need your screwdriver to help flip the clips open.

Some housings are held in place with a nut and washer. If that’s the case with your car, be sure to keep track of any parts you remove. There are few things more frustrating than putting down a small part and then not being able to find it when you need it later.

With the housing lid open, take a good look at the air filter. The air filter will look like a ring, tube or box of folded white paper held together by a rubber fitting. Pay special attention to how the filter sits inside its housing and what the top looks like. When you’ve got that memorized, remove the filter carefully. You may be surprised at how much comes out with the filter – you’ll find dirt, bugs, trash and more. Be careful to get everything out and then set the used filter aside.

Now, put the new filter in place. Since you took a good look at the old filter’s position before you removed it, it should be easy to position the new filter. Make sure the rubber ring and gasket are sitting in the correct position and consult your manual if you aren’t sure.

Your final step is to replace the housing lid and fasten it into place by replacing either the clips or the washer and nut you removed before. Once everything is firmly in place, you can close your car hood. The older filter and the box from the new filter can be discarded – a lot of folks pop the old filter in the box to help keep the dirt contained, preventing the need for lots of cleanup once you’re done.

That’s it. You’ve just replaced your air filter – now you can enjoy that cool refreshing beverage as your reward, along with improved gas mileage and a sense of satisfaction you’ll get from doing your own auto maintenance.