Why It's Important to Replace Your Air Filter

Why It's Important to Replace Your Air Filter

Having regular air filter replacement is essential for the well-being of your engine, as well as the overall performance of your car. Here are the 2 main reasons why regular air filter replacements are crucial:

1. Your Engine Will Be Corroded by Debris

As the engine air intake filter gathers more and more pollutants from the environment, small bits of debris and waster could end up in the engine. This is a serious problem because these abrasive particles act as shrapnel. Although both sand grains and bug legs may seem insignificant to us, they can cause serious damage to the moving parts of the engine.

The engine itself could be torn apart by these tiny bits of waste. As more metal is being shaved away, more debris accumulates, thus prolonging the degradation of the engine. Initially, this will affect your oil pressure and lead to unwanted corrosion. If the situation isn’t handled properly and on time, the entire engine could fail, over time.

2. The Fuel/Air Mix Is Affected by Contaminants

Your car requires a certain air to fuel ratio, to run efficiently. When other substances manage to enter the engine, they contaminate the fuel/air mixture. The fuel no longer has supplies of clean oxygen, thus adding more strain on the engine. The fuel cannot ignite properly, which results in loss of power.

As a matter of fact, according to the US Department of Energy, when a car is operating with a contaminated air filter, it suffers a 6% to 11% loss in acceleration power. Both fuel economy and gas mileage decrease, as your engine has to compensate for this loss by operating twice as hard. Over time, there’s a possibility that your engine may stop working altogether due to the higher levels of contamination of the air filter.

It’s not hard to take proper care of your air filters

Remember to request an air filter check with every oil change you have. When it’s time for an air filter replacement, the exchange is fast and inexpensive. Call your local auto repair shop to request an air filter inspection. Keep your engine breathing easy!