As part of your car’s regular maintenance, knowing how to change a fuel filter is a very useful skill to have. Ensuring that it is changed out regularly will prolong the life of your fuel pump, as it’s working more efficiently.

Not sure how to get started? Here is how to change a fuel filter in just a few easy steps. 

Relieving Pressure in the Fuel System 

Before doing anything else, you will want to relieve pressure in the car’s fuel system. 

Start by locating the vehicle’s fuse box that contains the fuel pump fuse. It’s a vital step because you need to run the vehicle without the fuel pump functioning for a little while. Typically, most cars will have a fuse box in both the inside of the car and under the hood – your owner’s manual will tell you where to find the correct one. 

Then, remove the fuel pump fuse once you have found it in your manual or the diagram on the fuse box cover. It’s recommended to use either tweezers or needle-nose pliers to complete this task. 

Also, make sure that your vehicle is not in gear at this time. While, yes, you have cut off the fuel supply from the gas tank, there may still be enough fuel left in the lines for it to run briefly. For automatic vehicles, make sure they are in park. 

Lastly, start the engine and let it run for about a minute before shutting it off. Now that the pressure has been relieved from the fuel system, you can insert the fuel pump fuse back into the fuse box. 

Taking Out the Old Fuel Filter

At this point, you will need to take out the old fuel filter. 

To get started, disconnect your car battery. 

Then, find your fuel filter. Your service manual will be a great help as it varies from car to car. Typically, however, they are found along the fuel line under the car just beyond the fuel pump. 

If your fuel filter is located under your vehicle, jack up your car. Once you can access the area, place a bucket under the fuel filter for any dripping gasoline. Then, remove the clips holding the filter to the car and take out the fuel lines. 

Now you can slide the filter out of its bracket, and you’re ready to install the new one. 

Installing the New Fuel Filter

Take the brand-new fuel filter and slide it into the bracket – this should happen easily, without any force.

 Then, fasten it to the fuel line. Slide the lines onto the front and back of the filter, just as the old one was attached. Once everything is in place, slide the clips through the holes on the line’s nozzle to secure it. 

Lastly, if you have used jack stands to get underneath your car, lower your vehicle to relieve them of the weight. 

How to Change a Fuel Filter: Final Thoughts

Now that you know how to change a fuel filter, you have an essential staple of your car maintenance down. 

For those of you with cars that are past the point of basic maintenance and need to be replaced, you may want to consider selling the junk cars for money. While it is pretty easy to Google “cash for cars near me,” here’s a recommendation for you – US Junk Cars has locations all over the country, and can give you a great price for your vehicle. 

Consider contacting US Junk Cars today to sell your junk cars for money today!