Engine Air Filters

Does your auto air filter need replacing?

Like the name suggests, auto air filters clean the air coming into the engine, separating the good molecules from the bad. Just like you wouldn't want to breathe polluted air into your lungs, the air filter serves to keep the harmful particles out of your engine, improving its life and performance. Without a clean air filter, the engine will dirty very quickly, which can cause damage to the parts. A dirty filter can affect the emissions control system, which regulates the vehicle's air-fuel mixture, and also hinder spark plug ignition.

A potential benefit of maintaining a clean air filter is that it may improve your gas mileage. Some experts believe that dirty air filters can reduce your mileage by as much as 10 percent - but conversely, others feel you won't notice a marked difference with a clean air filter. Superior air filters, on the other hand, have been known to provide a power boost to the car.

No matter the case, changing the air filter yourself is an easy task and can save you the cost of a mechanic. A replacement filter should only cost around $5. A properly functioning air filter is vital for the cleanliness and performance of the engine. An extremely dirty or clogged filter will cut off the air supply to the engine, which can have detrimental effects on fuel economy and performance. To prolong the life of your car's air filter, you can clean it periodically by soaking it in cleaning fluid. However, with time it will eventually need to be replaced.

Replacing the air filter

The air filter in your vehicle should be replaced once or twice a year, or approximately every 12,000 miles. Here are some tips for a problem-free filter change:

  • Park the vehicle out of the sun, pop the hood, and let the engine cool. You might need a couple of screwdrivers for the job, one Phillips and one standard.
  • The air filter is usually encased in black plastic, and is located near the centre of the engine. It'll be the largest non-metal object under the hood.
  • Open the plastic casing by pressing a screwdriver between the metal clips on the sides. If it's held together by screws, remove the screws.
  • Pull out the air filter from the casing - it's usually a bright color such as yellow or red, which makes it easier to see the dirt.
  • Check the cleanliness of the filter. If you see a lot of dirt in the center and in the ridges of the filter, then it needs replacing.
  • Install the new air filter, seal the casing back up and you're done!

Aftermarket performance filters

High-quality aftermarket filters are designed to boost the performance of your vehicle while helping to keep the engine squeaky clean. Here are some examples of aftermarket air filter products:

  • Cold-air-intake systems - Cold-air intake systems come complete with their own air filters. They relocate the air intake filter to the outside of the engine, to allow for cooler air flow to the engine. They're said to give your vehicle up to 15 extra horsepower.
  • Performance air filters - Performance air filters provide better filtration and are supposed to remove up to 10 times more dirt and pollution than a standard air filter. They are better than stock filters because they are up to 12 times thicker, allowing for superior filtration. Performance filters also claim to provide a 4 percent increase in horsepower and torque.
Comments
Write A Comment
Add your comments:
Please confirm
your humanity:
Enter the code (case sensitive)
Read Comments
How change 2006 Subaru Outback cabin air filter?
Posted on 4/4/2009 3:38:00 PM by Anonymous
Your knowledge of computer vehicle controls (PCM) is dated. Emission controls are not the only thing that controls air-fuel mixture. It has little to do with air-fuel mixture. A MAP or MAS sensor does most of the regulating. IT takes into account the amount of air coming in, its temperature, and feet above sea level and sends the info to the PCM (powertrain control module) which takes other things into account (vehicle speed, engine rpm) to get the proper air-fuel mixture. A dirty air filter will restrict air. That will just cause the PCM to compensate for the lack of air. I am not denying that a dirty filter will have adverse affects on fuel economy. I have a 2000 grand prix 3.8 liter supercharged I recently acquired. It had a very dirty filter by changing it I got 1.2 mpg better at 65mph. Also a dirty filter won’t cause an engine to wear faster unless it has physical damage (holes, damaged seals). It just restricts air flow; it doesn’t become any less efficient at filtering particles out. Never clean an air filter that is not designed for it. Depending on what you use this can damage the filtering media by tearing or stretching it out also some chemicals may dissolve the media. Change a filter according to the manufactures recommendations.
Posted on 10/5/2007 2:34:00 AM by Anonymous
Car Buying Car Repair Car Parts Car Drivers Car News Auto Loans