Air filters are crucial for making cars run smoothly. That’s because your engine needs both air and fuel to function properly. And if either are compromised, the gasoline can’t burn and give the engine the energy it needs to power your car.
Air that enters the engine needs to be free of dust, dirt and other possible debris. Not having an air filter or having an air filter that is old and hasn’t been changed can allow bits and pieces of dirt, dust and grime into the engine. And dust rubs on the metal of the engine and causes unneeded wear, not to mention greatly compromises performance in the meantime.
Air filters also ensure that the proper amount of air is reaching the engine. If the engine isn’t getting enough air, it puts stress on all the mechanisms and comprises their functionality. This most frequently happens when the air filter hasn’t been replaced and is covered in debris, blocking proper airflow. The correct air to fuel ratio is critical to the lifetime and functioning of your engine.
The air filter in your car should be changed at least every 8,000 miles. But because some drivers experience more dirt and dust each day than others, you may want to regularly check your filter for clogging. Rural drivers usually need to change this air filter less frequently, while stop-and-go city drivers need to more often replace their filter.
When it comes to the air filter in your car, better safe than sorry. Just like getting consistent oil changes, keeping clean air flowing into your engine is vital to the machinery and life of the vehicle as a whole. Buying a new air filter is much less expensive and stressful than buying new engine parts, a whole new engine or a whole new car.
