Maintaining the performance of your car is essential for a smooth ride, and one of the most important components to check and change regularly is the air filter. Without a clean air filter, your car's engine works harder and is prone to more breakdowns. Fortunately, compared to other home improvement projects, changing air filters is a quick and painless process that can be done in less than an hour. The first step is to consult the owner's manual to find out what type of air filter you need and where it is located in your car.
Most filters are rectangular (older cars that have carburettors use a doughnut-shaped air filter) and are made of a porous, paper-like material, folded like an accordion. To locate the engine air filter housing, look for a large plastic case, usually black, located above or to the side of the engine. You might think that replacing an air filter is a complicated task that requires special tools only available to licensed mechanics. However, this couldn't be further from the truth.
In fact, changing your car's air filter is one of the easiest maintenance tasks a car owner can perform. To know for sure how often the engine air filter should be changed, consult the maintenance section of the owner's manual or simply search Google for the manufacturer's recommended maintenance interval. Most experts recommend replacing air filters at least every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (19,000 to 24,000 km). Changing your car's air filter regularly will extend engine life, reduce emissions, improve fuel economy and, depending on the type of filter you use, may even increase performance.
Dirty or damaged air filters reduce air flow to the engine and alter the car's air-fuel balance. A dirty engine air filter usually looks dirty, with dirt, dust, or stains visible inside the folds. Replacing the air filter is easy and economical. The mechanic takes him to the car to show him how dirty the air filter is and tells him it's time to replace it. The good news is that replacing your car's cabin air filter is even easier and cheaper than changing the engine's air filter. An air filter may not seem like an important component that needs to be checked and changed regularly, but it's essential for maintaining car performance.
A particle as small as a grain of salt can pass through a damaged air filter and cause serious damage to internal parts of the engine, such as cylinders and pistons, which can be very expensive to repair. Replacing an air filter is not only important for keeping your car running smoothly but also for improving indoor air quality and helping your air conditioning system work more efficiently. To maintain maximum possible performance of your car and extend its life span, make sure you replace your car's air filters regularly.
