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Let Your Engine Breathe Easier – Change Your Air Filter!

Our engine’s air filter is something that often gets overlooked or forgotten. But did you know that most manufacturers recommend changing your engine air filter at every scheduled service? In other words, it’s a good idea to change it after every third oil change to make sure your engine doesn’t get short of breath!

 

Creating a problem that it was intended to solve.

Without a proper air filter, dust, dirt, or other debris is better to be stopped in its tracks by the air filter than to end up spending more at the gas pump. An air filter keeps all that stuff out of your engine to keep it running smoothly. So, if you drive on unpaved roads or in smoggy areas it is going to be important to keep up on your regular replacements.

But why should you change your air filter so often?

A clogged, dirty air filter can cause poor running conditions and shorten an engine’s lifespan. Your engine needs a steady supply of fresh air to help it burn gasoline efficiently. An air filter overdue for a replacement is clogged with dust, oil, and sometimes other debris. That just means it’s doing its job – better stuck in your filter than cycling through your engine!

But if your engine isn’t getting good enough airflow, your check engine light will turn on as numerous running conditions are thrown out of whack. Even if the air filter doesn’t get completely restricted by debris, intake can be uneven and unpredictable. This could become a big problem for engine control modules, throttle bodies, and catalytic converters to manage.

Opportune time to replace your air filter.

Every 15,000 miles, take a look at your air filter. Most cars make it easy to access without tools: just flip open a few metal clips and pull the top off the filter housing to visually inspect your air filter. It should be bright and free of debris. You might find a few maple helicopter seeds in there. If the filter is dark or clogged with debris, it’s time to change it. If the filter is oily, that could indicate a bigger issue with your engine’s performance. Have it looked at by a trusted professional who can track down the cause!

When you consider how effortless it is to check and replace an air filter, there’s no reason to allow a dirty one to clog your engine’s airflow, dampen your vehicle’s performance, and cost you money for possible related repairs.

If you’re performing this task strictly based on the calendar, the annual spring or fall check over serves as a great reminder. In the spring, as you’re removing snow tires and checking the health of the A/C, eyeball the air filter. In the fall, when you’re replacing wiper blades and testing the heating system, add “air filter” to the to-do list. Your car will breathe easier!