Neglecting your air filter can lead to several issues. Over time, it can cause reduced fuel efficiency, diminished horsepower, and even engine damage. Keeping up with this small maintenance task can save you from more significant, expensive problems.
It's recommended that you change your car's air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles, depending on how often you drive and the type of environment you live in. During normal driving conditions, changing the air filter every 20,000 miles will usually suffice.
Performance Issues: Lack of a proper air filter can cause the engine to run poorly, resulting in rough idling, reduced power, and potential stalling. Emissions: A compromised air intake can lead to increased emissions, which may cause your vehicle to fail emissions tests and contribute to environmental pollution.
Dirt and dust accumulate in your air filter over time, making it more and more difficult for air to pass through. If you don't change the air filter, it will cause a decrease in efficiency in terms of energy usage, and eventually the clogged filter will restrict airflow throughout the system.
Yes, a dirty air filter can potentially make you sick. Here's how: Dust and Allergens: A clogged air filter can allow dust, pollen, mold spores, and other allergens to circulate in the air. Breathing in these particles can trigger allergies or asthma symptoms.
But when the filter wears down and gets dirty, it can choke off your car's air flow and hurt your engine's acceleration power. If you've noticed slower acceleration or other issues with your vehicle's performance lately, replacing the air filter could be the answer.
If you don't change your AC filter, it will begin to fail. It will no longer be able to filter the air properly, letting dust and contaminants get into the HVAC system. Dust jams the moving parts of an AC such as fan motors and valves.
Your engine does not work well with contaminated air. The engine does not put out enough power or performance when it is dirty. If your car jerks when you try to accelerate, it may not be getting enough oxygen. The horsepower in your vehicle is dependent entirely on the amount of oxygen the engine receives.
An air filter might not seem an important component to regularly check and change, but they are essential in maintaining your car's performance. The filter prevents small particles from entering the engine and causing potentially expensive damage (read more here).
No Air Filter
The air filter is like the lungs of your car, providing clean air to the engine for combustion. This air mixes with fuel to power up your ride. Without it, or when it's clogged, your engine struggles to breathe, leading to all sorts of problems.
Most engine air filters will cost between $20 to $85, depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, and whether you do it yourself or take your vehicle to the dealer or a mechanic.
Cleaning the air filter only improves its appearance. When should an air filter be replaced? The air filter should be replaced after the period indicated by the vehicle manufacturer.
Sometimes, a dirty air filter will cause the engine to cough or make popping noises. It could also cause the vehicle to vibrate. The vibration and noises happen because the dirty engine air filter is damaging the spark plugs. Ignoring the damaged spark plugs could cause the engine to misfire or eventually shut down.
You may notice a significant decline in HVAC performance, increased energy bills, and decreased comfort in your home. Additionally, delaying filter changes can lead to more extensive damage to your HVAC system, requiring costly repairs or replacement.
A bad air filter will sound like there is wind blowing in your car. Since the filter does not properly fit the bearing, the wind will start to blow from the edges of the filter. This air leakage from the edges of the filter will lead to a whistle-like sound or a wind-blowing sound in the vehicle.
There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering at speed. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
It is also possible that you need a new filter if your car is hesitating or running rough. If the engine isn't receiving enough oxygen, it will be sluggish and less responsive.
As the system is working harder to get around clogged air filters, it can cause the entire system to overwork and eventually break. If this happens, you'll need to replace the entire system, which can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000.
Most owner's manuals recommend switching out the air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. You can have the technician at your Sugar House tire shop perform the work while they rotate your tires and keep your care running at its best. No car is exempt from the potential damage caused by a dirty air filter.
Is my AC not working because of the filter? Potentially, yes. While there are a whole host of issues that could cause problems with your air conditioning system, a dirty air filter should be the first thing to check if your central air conditioning unit isn't working as properly as it should.
Can Driving with a Dirty Air Filter Damage My Engine? Yes, it's possible. If an air filter isn't functioning as it's meant to, it could be letting debris, dust particles, and other pollutants into your engine, potentially causing damage.