If your automobile is difficult to start, sputtering or stalling, or suddenly a gas hog, you may need an air filters change. If you cannot remember the last time the air filter was changed, you definitely need to change it. ER Auto Care can check your air filter and change it for you if it needs it. You can check it, too. Just pop your hood, remove the cover, and check to make sure the filter isn’t dirty. Let’s talk about an automobile air filter and how it benefits your engine.
What the Air Filter Does
Your car, truck, or utility vehicle needs air to run. The engine relies on air and fuel to detonate in the cylinders to get everything going. Air is drawn into the engine through the grille, and it is used for many purposes including detonation and keeping the engine cool. The problem with the air that is used for detonation, however, is that it must be clean. Otherwise, contaminants, dirt, and debris can seriously damage the engine. This is where the air filter helps. It removes all debris from the air before it is routed into the combustion chamber to be ignited with the fuel by the spark plugs.
How Often the Air Filter Needs Changing
Naturally, the more contaminants the air filter removes the dirtier the filter gets. Eventually, the air filter will clog, and this will prevent air from making its way into the combustion chamber. Without air, you won’t be able to start your car. Changing the air filter regularly is as important as changing the oil and the oil filter. The only difference is that you don’t need to change the air filter as often. Generally, an air filter should be changed every 12,000 miles or once a year. This being said, if you do a lot of driving in dusty conditions, you may need to change your air filter sooner, as it will be clogged by excess dirt.
You Likely Have Two Air Filters
The engine air filter isn’t the only air filter your automobile has. There is also a cabin air filter that purifies the air that comes through your vents when you turn on the fan, air conditioner, and heater. This filter does not need to be changed as often as the engine air filter needs to be changed. Rather, you can wait 30,000 miles before you need to change the cabin filter.
ER Auto Care has two convenient locations to help you. We have the best auto service shop in Plain City, OH, and the best auto service shop in Columbus, OH.