Filters
Engine air, cabin air and the markup between DIY and shop pricing.
Filters are the cheapest maintenance on the car and the most reliably marked up. A cabin air filter that costs $15 to $30 on the shelf routinely appears on shop invoices at $60 to $120, because the labor line is real even when it is four minutes of work behind the glovebox.
That does not make filters optional. A clogged engine air filter restricts airflow enough to hurt throttle response, and a saturated cabin filter is the single most common reason an air conditioner blows cold but weak.
Filters services
Cabin Air Filter Replacement
A $15–$30 filter that shops routinely bill at $60–$120; replace it every 15,000–25,000 miles or once a year.
6 min read
Engine Air Filter Replacement
Every 15,000–30,000 miles, or sooner on dusty roads — a $15–$40 part that most owners can change in under ten minutes.
6 min read