Your engine air filter is an essential component of your car's performance and longevity. It helps keep your car's air clean by trapping dirt, debris, and other harmful contaminants before they enter the combustion chamber of your engine. Without a clean air filter, your car can suffer from a drop in power, a decrease in fuel efficiency, and difficulty starting the vehicle. Replacing your engine air filter regularly can help extend the life of your engine, improve fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and allow optimal airflow for better performance.
A dirty air filter may appear clean, but it should be replaced at recommended intervals. Generally, it is recommended that you change your vehicle's air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you live in a dusty area, you should change the engine air filter more often. In newer fuel-injected cars, the air filter tends to be located near the top front or side of the engine near the throttle body.
When the engine air filter is dirty, air cannot pass through the filter to the engine, affecting the car's entire emission control system. This can cause a number of problems for your vehicle, including engine failure. By changing the air filters in your car, it helps extend the life of the engine by trapping dirt and debris that causes damage to internal engine parts such as cylinders and pistons. Replacing your dirty cabin air filter on a regular basis can increase fuel consumption by 15%.
Many people don't realize how much their air filter contributes to a better, less expensive, and healthier car trip. It is also important to note that pollen can enter your vehicle if you don't have a properly functioning air filter to stop it. If you've recently noticed that you need to refill your gas tank more often than usual, it's probably time to check your air filter. Keeping the air filter clean keeps the engine free of dirt and helps ensure optimal performance.
To make sure you are replacing your air filter at the right intervals for your vehicle, check with the manufacturer for specific recommendations.
