When it comes to car maintenance, one of the most important things to keep in mind is the air filter. The air filter is responsible for trapping dirt, debris, and other harmful contaminants before they enter your car's cabin. Without a clean air filter, all of these contaminants can enter the combustion chamber of your engine, resulting in poorer performance and lower fuel efficiency. If the air filter becomes too dirty, it will clog and the engine will not be able to draw enough air into the combustion chamber.
This can cause a drop in power, a decrease in fuel efficiency, and difficulty starting the vehicle. In addition, it can lead to permanent damage, including engine failure. It's important to check the fuel filter at home for most external fuel filters and replace it when necessary. Domestic, automatic, or other filters will eventually age and become clogged with contaminants and debris.
When the engine air filter is dirty, air cannot pass through the filter to the engine, affecting the car's entire emission control system. If you don't change your car's air filter regularly, you may start to notice some uncomfortable effects. Dirty or excessively clogged cabin air filters can produce a dusty and damp odor, especially when the HVAC system is turned on. A clean filter is usually white, off-white, yellow, or red, and may darken as more dirt accumulates.
Sooner or later, the engine may start working so hard to draw air through the filter that it could begin to draw debris, which could begin to damage the internal components of the engine. Ignoring this issue can cause some serious problems for your car in the long run. It's important to monitor your air filter and replace it when you start to notice signs that it is clogged. This will help ensure that the air circulating inside your vehicle's passenger compartment is largely free of pollutants and that should be enough to allow you to breathe more easily.
Be sure to take care of this replacement as soon as possible if your owner's manual says it's time to do so.
