Three Signs Of A Dirty Car Air Filter You Should Know
Your car engine combines both air and gasoline in the combustion chamber to create power for the vehicle to move. The air reaches the engine via the air filter, which works to keep the debris and dust out for keeping the car engine performing to the maximum. At the same time, the air filter needs to allow air to reach the engine to work at optimum levels. However, over time dirt and other contaminants clog the air filter, which affects the car’s performance. We will help you understand some apparent signs of dirty car air filter, and how to resolve the issue.
How Can I Replace A Dirty Car Air Filter?
The majority of automobile companies recommend that one change the air filter after 10,000 to 15,000 miles or every 12 months. In case, you are driving in crowded areas; then you would need to stop and start more often, which will affect the air filter more. Remember; do not think that cleaning the air filter and engine are the same thing.
1. What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Air Filter In A Car?
Many drivers often wonder about what symptoms point out to having a weak and dirty car air filter in their vehicle. Given below is the list of symptoms, which will help you in making the right decision regarding the car air filter. These symptoms not only occur due to a weak air filter but can also point out to an underlying problem in the vehicle.
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2. Reduced Fuel Economy
The car engine always compensates for a lower amount of oxygen by consuming more fuel to produce enough power to move the vehicle. However, if you notice the gas mileage getting low every day, then it is time to change the air filter. It applies majorly to carbureted cars manufactured before 1980. Carburetors mix air and fuel to generate power for the internal combustion engine. You can browse online to know the best maintenance tips for the car air filter.
3. Reduced Horsepower
One of the clogged air filter symptoms that make the car respond poorly with jerking movements when you press the accelerator is reduced horsepower. It can indicate the engine is not receiving enough air for performance. Hence, replacing the air filter would help improve the airflow and horsepower of the vehicle as well.
4. Misfiring Engine
The limited air supply from a dirty air filter in the car will always result in unburnt fuel coming out from the engine as soot residue. The residue will then accumulate on the spark plug, which would not provide the necessary spark to provide combustion to the air and fuel mixture. You can quickly notice that the engine would not start but misfire and jerk roughly. It is one of the significant bad air filter symptoms, which affects the performance of the engine.
Summing Up
Thus, when any of the above symptoms seem to occur when you try to start your vehicle, the chances are that it is the doing of the dirty car air filter, which needs immediate replacement.
The clogged air filter is unable to protect important and expensive components of the vehicle from different types of contaminants which could eventually cause malfunctions in the car. Some people often ignore the importance of different types of filters used in the vehicle. So, the condition of different types of filters should be subjected to inspection on a daily basis to evaluate the condition of concerned components. Dirty and clogged filters should be replaced in time.