Why Changing Your Car’s Air Filter Matters

Just like humans need oxygen to breathe, a car engine needs oxygen for the combustion process. The air filter ensures that only clean air enters the engine by blocking insects, dust, sand, or debris. This helps maintain the right balance of air and fuel for optimal performance.

Air filters come in different shapes—panel, circular, or cylindrical—and are typically made from pleated cotton, synthetic paper, or foam.

Benefits of Replacing Your Air Filter

1. Improve Car Performance

A clean filter allows more oxygen to reach the engine, supporting efficient fuel-air combustion. This means your car delivers maximum power and responsiveness.

2. Save on Fuel

A clogged filter reduces airflow, causing the engine to burn more fuel. Replacing it helps maintain proper combustion, reducing fuel consumption.

3. Reduce Black Smoke and Emissions

When the filter is dirty, fuel doesn’t burn completely. This leads to black exhaust smoke, a sign of poor combustion and increased pollution.

✅ Tip: Most car manufacturers recommend changing your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (or about once a year), but this can vary based on driving conditions. If you drive in dusty or sandy areas, you may need to replace it more often.

**Canadian Auto / NAPA AutoCare

Shop Policy, Terms, and Conditions of Service (Legal/Compliance Version)**
AMVIC Licence No. B2008146 | GST No. 82868 9471 RT0001
Applicable to All Retail and Fleet Customers

The Customer (“Customer”) acknowledges and agrees that, by requesting, authorizing, or accepting any services performed by Canadian Auto / NAPA AutoCare and Canadian Auto Remarketing (CAR) Ltd. (“Canadian Auto”), including but not limited to signing a repair estimate, repair order, work order, or accepting return of the serviced vehicle, the Customer shall be bound by the following terms and conditions, which collectively constitute the Shop Policy & Service Agreement.

1. Wheel Retorque Requirement

1.1 Following installation of wheels and/or tires, the Customer shall return the vehicle to Canadian Auto after 100–150 kilometres of driving for a mandatory wheel fastener retorque.
1.2 This service is provided without charge and without appointment.
1.3 Failure by the Customer to comply with the retorque requirement may result in wheel loosening or related hazards. Canadian Auto accepts no liability for any damage, injury, or loss arising from the Customer’s failure to complete the required retorque.

2. Pre-Existing Wheel, Fastener, and Stud Damage

2.1 Canadian Auto shall not be responsible for any pre-existing condition involving wheel rims, studs, lug nuts, or related components, including cross-threading, stretching, seizing, prior over-torquing, corrosion, or damage arising from any previous service provider.
2.2 The Customer acknowledges that such conditions may result in breakage during removal or installation and agrees that Canadian Auto shall bear no liability for damages or failures resulting from such pre-existing conditions.

3. Damage Arising From Rust, Corrosion, or Seized Components

3.1 Canadian Auto shall not be liable for breakage or damage to parts or components that are excessively rusted, corroded, seized, weakened, or otherwise compromised due to age or condition at the time of service.
3.2 Reasonable care will be exercised; however, the Customer acknowledges that breakage under these conditions is unavoidable and outside the control of Canadian Auto.

4. Refusal of Unsafe, Inadequate, or Improper Parts

4.1 While the Customer retains the right to select parts for installation, Canadian Auto reserves the exclusive right to refuse installation of any parts deemed unsafe, inadequate, incompatible, defective, or inappropriate, in its sole professional judgment.
4.2 Canadian Auto assumes no liability for claims arising from refusal to install such parts.

5. Authorization for Additional Labour or Parts

5.1 In the event that additional parts or labour exceeding $100.00 above the Customer’s approved estimate are required, Canadian Auto shall make reasonable efforts to obtain prior authorization.
5.2 No further chargeable work shall proceed without approval unless the Customer is unreachable and delaying such repairs would create a safety hazard.
5.3 The Customer is financially responsible for all authorized parts, labour, and associated charges.

6. Disposition of Replaced Parts

6.1 Customers may request return of replaced parts at the time the vehicle is picked up.
6.2 If no such request is made, all removed parts shall be recycled, scrapped, or disposed of immediately and shall not be retrievable thereafter.
6.3 Hazardous waste or cores subject to manufacturer or environmental return conditions shall not be provided to the Customer.

7. Post-Service Inspection and Warranty Limitations

7.1 Canadian Auto will, upon Customer request made within 30 days of service completion, inspect workmanship for compliance with service standards at no additional cost.
7.2 The following limitations apply:
a. No refunds shall be issued after the vehicle leaves the premises.
b. Warranty applies solely to workmanship performed by Canadian Auto.
c. Warranty shall not apply to failures caused by unrelated issues, part defects, wear and tear, environmental conditions, or actions by third parties.
7.3 Warranty claims require the vehicle to be returned to Canadian Auto for evaluation.

8. Warranty Void Due to Third-Party Intervention

8.1 Any warranty offered by Canadian Auto is void where the Customer or any third party has performed adjustments, modifications, or repairs to components previously serviced by Canadian Auto prior to warranty inspection.
8.2 Canadian Auto shall be the sole arbiter of whether third-party intervention occurred.

9. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Canadian Auto shall not be liable for any loss or damage to the vehicle or its contents resulting from:
a. Fire, theft, vandalism, collision, or other events beyond reasonable control
b. Incidental damage occurring during repair where such damage relates to the vehicle’s pre-existing condition
c. Loss of personal property left inside the vehicle
9.2 Customers are advised to remove all valuables prior to leaving the vehicle.
9.3 Under no circumstances shall Canadian Auto be liable for consequential, indirect, special, or punitive damages.

10. Privacy Compliance

10.1 Personal information is collected, stored, and used in accordance with the Alberta Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA).
10.2 Information shall be used solely for service records, communication, billing, and regulatory purposes.

11. Repair Order Authorization

11.1 By executing a repair order or estimate, the Customer authorizes Canadian Auto to:
a. Perform all labour described therein
b. Obtain and install required parts and materials
c. Operate the vehicle for testing, inspection, quality control, and/or delivery
11.2 Canadian Auto shall not be liable for loss or damages caused by circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, theft, or weather-related events.

12. Warranty Policies

12.1 In-House Warranty (Parts & Labour)

• Coverage: 30 days or 3,000 km, whichever occurs first.
• Warranty consideration requires vehicle return to Canadian Auto.
• No refunds after vehicle release.
• Excludes third-party or Customer-supplied parts.

12.2 NAPA “Peace of Mind” Nationwide Warranty

• Coverage: 12 months / 20,000 km.
• Valid at participating NAPA AutoCare / NAPA AUTOPRO centres in Canada and the U.S.
• Exclusions include:
  a. Internal engine or transmission repairs
  b. Commercial vehicles exceeding 1.5 tons
  c. Racing/off-road vehicles
  d. Glass, bodywork, or structural repairs
  e. Used, customer-supplied, or third-party parts

13. Estimate Disclaimer

13.1 All estimates are approximate and subject to change based on inspection, diagnosis, or discovery of additional issues.
13.2 If costs are expected to exceed the estimate by more than $100, Customer approval will be obtained as per Section 5.
13.3 The Customer acknowledges the existence of a Garage Keeper’s Lien on all vehicles and parts until all charges are paid in full.

14. Tire and Wheel Policy

14.1 The Customer must return for a wheel retorque as stated in Section 1.
14.2 Canadian Auto shall not be liable for stud breakage, wheel damage, or related failure due to prior improper torquing or corrosion.

15. Teardown Authorization

15.1 Where teardown or disassembly is required for diagnosis, the Customer agrees to be responsible for associated charges.
15.2 Acceptance of teardown does not guarantee repair feasibility or cost limitations.

16. Payment Terms

16.1 Payment in full is required prior to vehicle release.
16.2 All parts remain the property of Canadian Auto Remarketing (CAR) Ltd. until paid in full.
16.3 Balances past due are subject to 2% monthly (24% annual) interest.
16.4 Returned payments or NSF transactions will incur applicable fees.

17. Storage Fees

17.1 A storage fee of $70.00 per day + GST applies when a vehicle is not collected after work completion, or when a non-repairable vehicle remains on-site beyond a reasonable timeframe.

18. Shop Supplies Fee

18.1 A standard charge for “Shop Supplies” will be applied to all repair orders.
18.2 This fee covers consumables, minor hardware, environmental materials, and disposal costs not practical to itemize.
18.3 Shop Supplies shall not include major parts or billable fluid quantities.

19. Customer Acknowledgment

By authorizing service or accepting return of the serviced vehicle, the Customer:
a. Confirms legal authority to authorize repairs
b. Acknowledges lien rights in the event of non-payment
c. Authorizes collection and use of vehicle/operator data for billing and accountability
d. Agrees to be financially responsible for all charges, fees, parts, taxes, and services authorized
e. Confirms understanding and acceptance of all terms herein