Phil,, first the fuel filter a combination of fuel filter and fuel regulator, so make sure you get the right one Needswings.com iif your car shuts off after start , you may have a filter slightly clogging up or a vapor lock, not a reason to change the fllter , but if it shuts down and will not start for 5 min. or so ,,,RCM or could be fuel filter,( let the car sit for at an hour then turn on the key while llistening for the fuel pump if u do not here the pump it coukd be the pump or a clogged fuel filter) you will find most fuel filter/regulator will last 3 to 400,000 miles. some people just replace it just as a routine maintenance. as for me i removed mine replaced it with a manual adjustable regulator and a good high flow filter.. jim