Changing the fuel filter is part of the repair and maintenance schedule for your BMW. To maintain good day-to-day performance, many car companies recommend changing the fuel filter every 5 years/50,000 miles, but you may want to check it – or have it cleaned – more often based on where you live, your driving habits and so on. Of course, your owner’s manual will give you more specific information about the maintenance interval on your BMW.

The average cost nationwide to change a vehicle’s fuel filter is between $90 and $207 (including parts and labor). The good news is that KBB.com has analyzed 100s of repair orders to establish the Kelley Blue Book Fair Repair Range to show you what you can expect to pay to change the fuel filter on your BMW. Of course, the best way to get a very specific estimate for your particularBMW is to visit your local service center.

There are a variety of answers, from the simple to the catastrophic for why you might suspect a fuel leak in yout BMW .

• If the amount is small, you might’ve just spilled a little fuel when you were filling up. Or maybe your fuel cap is off.
• It could be a clogged fuel filter or busted fuel pump
• A fuel line might be leaking or something is wrong with a fuel injector.
• Worst of all, there could be a hole in your fuel tank itself.

Obviously, a fuel leak is serious business. A fuel leak could cause a fire or explosion. It’s not really like you see in the movies, but it’s not something to mess with.

The fuel filter is always going to be found between the fuel tank and the engine. For most vehicles, the fuel filter is located inside the top of the fuel tank, right where it connects with the fuel line, although on some cars if might be elsewhere along the fuel line.

The fuel filter holds an important place in your car’s engine: The fuel filter filters the fuel that the fuel pump pumps. (Got that?) If the fuel filter isn’t doing its job, fuel can’t get to the engine in sufficient enough quantities to give you the performance you expect. Think about a window screen caked with mud and you’ll start to get the picture.

If the fuel filter needs changing, you might start seeing certain symptoms:

• Problems with Starting: Or maybe you BMW does start, but it takes a few attempts.
• Stalling: Your definitely don’t want your car to die at the wrong time. Pay special attention if you stall while idling at a red light or stop sign.
• Excessive Vibration While Driving: If you feel the engine idling roughly or lurching forward, that can be a sign of a clogged fuel filter.
• Rough Slow-Speed Cruising: Highway cruising might be fine, but struggles at slower speeds could mean you need to replace your fuel filter.

For more about diagnosing if your car needs a new fuel filter, read the full expert article