Your air filter effectively pulls out debris as the engine sucks in air for the combustion cycle. But it can only work at peak efficiency when replaced at regular intervals. Luckily, that’s easy to do with the correct filter on hand.
What’s the best air filter for the 2020 Mazda3?
You can get a replacement original equipment manufacturer air filter for your 2020 Mazda3 for about $15 from DiscountedMazdaParts.com. If you’re looking to go with an aftermarket air filter instead, you can’t lose with K&N, which is available for $56 from Amazon.
Do you need to go with an OEM filter or is aftermarket okay? When is the best time to change your 2020 Mazda3’s air filter? Is it hard to change? If you’re looking for answers to these questions, simply read this guide to learn everything you need to know.
Air Filter Service Interval for Your 2020 Mazda3
The 2020 Mazda3 uses a vehicle status monitor that lets you know when to complete certain maintenance tasks. When it comes to your air filter, you can replace it at every third maintenance interval.
If you’re going by the mileage alone, you’ll want to replace this filter every 30,000 miles under normal driving conditions. In extreme conditions, decrease the service interval to every 10,000 miles or 12 months.
Even while carefully tracking your mileage, it’s important to check the integrity of your air filter at every oil change. With just a peek, your technician can easily tell if the filter needs replacement or still has some life in it.
If you’re comfortable working on your own car, you can easily check and replace the engine air filter by:
- Removing the clips at each corner of the airbox
- Lifting the lid and pulling out the old engine air filter
- Using the tabs to align the new filter with the airbox
- Putting the lid back on and securing it with the clips
Once you finish with these steps, you can take your car for a spin and verify that all is well. If it doesn’t seem to drive just right, check the airbox and filter to make sure everything is installed correctly before driving any more miles.
Aftermarket vs. OEM: Which is Better for Your Mazda3?
At only $15, the OEM air filter is a good buy for your 2020 Mazda3. When you purchase an OEM product, you know it will fit perfectly in the airbox and provide your engine with the right amount of airflow.
If you want to send even more air flowing into your engine, you can go with an aftermarket filter from K&N. These filters are just under $60 but are designed to last up to 10 years or 1 million miles.
Since they are reusable, they can help you reduce your carbon footprint and potentially save you money over the years. You do have to put in a little bit more work at each service interval when you go aftermarket.
Instead of pulling out the filter and tossing it like you would with an OEM disposable filter, you have to clean the aftermarket element to remove all the debris.
Then, you must let it fully dry and reoil the pleats before reinstalling it in the airbox. All that takes a whole lot more time and could even cost more if you take your car into the shop for service.
There’s no one right choice when it comes to selecting between OEM and aftermarket air filters for your Mazda3. You just have to reflect on your preferences to decide which one will serve you best.
Photos: Mazda
