When Should An Engine Air Filter Be Changed?

As the name suggests, an engine air filter filters the air that enters your car’s engine. The purpose of this is to protect your engine from dust and sand. This is great news for the engine but eventually, the filter will need to be replaced.

With air flowing into the filter from the bottom, dirt and large items can often become trapped in the filter and in the box that sits beneath the filter. A busy or compacted air filter prevents air from flowing around the engine, placing a greater level of strain on your engine and restricting your engine’s ability to “breathe”. This means that some particles which would have previously been blocked from gaining access to your engine can now get through, which places your cylinder walls and engine pistons under greater pressure. This may also lead to the engine consuming a greater proportion of oil.

There are some symptoms of a dirty air filter

If you experience a higher level of RPMs or a lack of power when accelerating hard, it may be that you have a blocked or dirty air filter. Another symptom is a potential drop in fuel economy, and your check engine light may come on but most people discover that there are no warning signs or symptoms of a blocked air filter, until the issue becomes very noticeable.

The standard period when air filters need to be changed occurs between 15,000 and 30,000 miles but this can differ depending on a number of factors. Drivers that spend a lot of time driving on off-road style surfaces will find that their filter needs to be changed regularly. A filter should also be replaced every three years as an old filter becomes brittle, leading to tearing and this can allow a lot of dirt to gain access to the engine.

An air filter can be changed quickly

During a routine oil change, the air filter should be checked and an experienced mechanic will know what to look out for. At Five Star Autocentre, we have a team of highly skilled and experienced mechanics, which means you can trust us to care for your car. If you are looking for the best standard of service in Huddersfield, we are here to help. Replacing the air filter isn’t an expensive process and we believe that this is a value for money service that provides you with confidence in your car.

While there is no barrier to someone replacing the air filter themselves, it is something that needs to be fitted properly to be effective. This is why it is best left to the experts. There is also the fact that at Five Star Autocentre, we are experienced in replacing air filters and we can carry out this task in next to no time. This can be carried out alongside other tests and checks of your car or it can be undertaken in a matter of minutes if this is all you need.

To be confident about your cars performance, call on the leading mechanics in Huddersfield.

Article written by Five Star Autocentre
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