An air filter is a component that can be found on the engines of nearly every vehicle. An air filter provides clean air to an engine by separating dust and debris from the air before it enters the engine. Over time, as the air filter collects more dust and debris, an engine’s air filter will become too dirty to be efficient for the vehicle’s engine. An air filter can actually become problematic for an engine when it is too dirty, which is why air filters need to be replaced regularly. There are a few signs that your vehicle will give you when its air filter is overdue for a replacement service.
Decreased Power
An engine uses a mixture of both fuel and air to produce power through a process that is known as the combustion process. The combination and combustion of both fuel and air produces a chain of reactions in a vehicle that allows the vehicle to move forward. When a vehicle’s air filter is too dirty and needs to be replaced, the vehicle’s engine will not be able to take in as much air due to a blockage in the filter. Therefore, the engine will be missing a crucial component of it’s combustion process.
You will eventually feel a decrease in the power that your vehicle’s engine produces when you press on the vehicle’s accelerator. Your vehicle will accelerate slower when it’s air filter isn’t allowing enough air to enter its engine. This is a gradual process, however, and is not a sign that you may notice immediately.
Misfiring
Your vehicle’s engine may begin to misfire when its air filter is too dirty and needs to be replaced. Misfiring is caused by the spark plugs of a vehicle’s engine producing sparks at the wrong times or not producing sparks at all. A dirty air filter can cause this issue by not providing enough air for the engine’s air-fuel mixtures to combust properly. When the mixture doesn’t combust, the excess fuel leaves deposits on a multitude of the vehicle’s components, including on its spark plugs. Gradually, these deposits prevent the spark plugs from firing properly.
If your vehicle’s engine is misfiring, you will hear pinging or rattling coming from the engine. You may also feel the vehicle’s engine vibrating more or idling roughly.
Poor Fuel Economy
One of the most common signs that you will witness when your vehicle’s air filter needs to be replaced is a sharp decrease in the vehicle’s fuel economy. Many vehicles, especially older vehicles, attempt to compensate for decreased airflow in their engines by injecting more fuel into the cylinders of the engines. This excess fuel injection, while it may allow the air-fuel mixtures to combust properly, causes the engine to use its fuel supply quicker. You may notice the decrease in your vehicle’s fuel economy when you find yourself fueling your vehicle more frequently or when you check the vehicle’s fuel economy statistics.
Check Engine Light
Your vehicle may inform you that its air filter needs to be replaced by illuminating the check engine light that is on its dashboard. Many modern vehicles are able to quickly identify issues with their components. Therefore, they notify drivers of a multitude of issues by providing check engine codes. If your vehicle’s check engine light illuminates, you can run a computer scan to determine what the check engine code is. Once you identify the check engine code, you will realize that the engine’s air filter needs to be replaced.
Air Filter Replacement Schedule
The best way to avoid problems with the air filter of your vehicle’s engine is by routinely changing the filter. Manufacturers generally recommend that drivers have the air filters of their vehicles replaced between every 12,000 miles and every 15,000 miles. Air filter replacement schedules can vary based on the design of a vehicle, a driver’s unique driving habits, and several other factors. Therefore, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to identify what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends for your vehicle.
Conclusion
An engine’s air filter needs to be changed routinely to allow the engine to operate properly. Changing an engine’s air filter is a simple process that can be completed quickly. Avoid the issues that come with driving with a dirty engine air filter by changing your vehicle’s air filter before it has the opportunity to get too dirty. Contact us at Lawrence Chevrolet if you would like to learn more about how your vehicle’s air filter can affect the overall performance of the vehicle. Feel free to also inquire about maintenance routines for your vehicle and how you can keep your vehicle running smoothly.
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