Most modern cars have two air filters, the cabin air filter and the engine air filter, which filter the air that enters the cabin and the vehicle's engine, respectively. The cabin air filter, also known as a pollen filter or an HVAC filter, is often forgotten but can become quite clogged and affect the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner. The engine air filter is located inside the engine to keep harmful debris away from this system. It removes dust, soot, pollen and other environmental allergens to continuously provide fresh, clean air to the cabin space. The other air filter found in most cars today is the cabin air filter.
This filters the air that enters the vehicle's cabin and is usually forgotten. Long before a new car starts to expel smoke, the engine control light will come on because the air filter is past its prime. An air filter is a very simple component of the air intake that can keep the air entering the engine clean of contaminants. The screen keeps out insects, water, road dirt, pollen, dirt and everything else that enters the vehicle's grille. The oil filter keeps debris and dirt out of the oil while the engine is running.
A properly functioning oil filter is critical to the proper functioning, engine life and fuel consumption of your car. If you can change the oil, you should be able to replace the oil filter. In addition, it is recommended to replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. You may have to change the oil and filter every 3,000 miles, but many new vehicles require less frequent changes (up to 10,000 miles).The fuel filter keeps dirt, grime and water out of the engine.
The fuel filter is a cartridge located in the fuel line. Inside the cartridge, there is a screen that traps dirt, rust and other fuel debris before it passes to the fuel injector. When it's time to change the fuel filter, you might notice that your vehicle is slower than normal or that it suddenly fails for no reason. Most manufacturers recommend changing the fuel filter every two years or 30,000 miles, whichever comes first. You can remove the inlet hose connected to the air collection box and remove the filter.
Hold the filter close to the light. If you can't see the light through it, you should clean it or replace it. In addition, the cabin air filter prevents all this dirt from clogging the vehicle's air conditioning system. The cabin air filter can be under the hood, behind the glove compartment, or under the dashboard. Depending on their location, cabin air filters can be a little more difficult to replace than the engine air filter.
If you have allergies, respiratory sensitivity, have bad pollen in your area, or live in a city with excess smoke, you may need to change your cabin air filter more often. Having an old engine air filter can reduce engine power, increase engine wear and decrease throttle response when you press the accelerator. For that reason, it's a good idea to visually check your engine air filter periodically to make sure it's clean. Replacing the engine air filter is an often overlooked maintenance element but a dirty air filter can have a negative effect on car performance. Your automotive technician will check the air filter for excessive debris and suggest a replacement as needed to keep your engine running smoothly. If you change your engine air filter regularly and On Star alerts you based on a time interval and mileage, you may not be in sync with them. When fuel leaves a refinery it's clean but then goes to trucks and gas station tanks where it can get contaminated before getting into your vehicle.
Some fuel filters are located inside car gas tanks and it can be difficult to change them yourself. Modern vehicles have two very important air filters integrated into their engine and cab designs - do you know what they are? These two filters have similar construction and materials but perform very different tasks. When you commit to following a regular maintenance program to replace these filters you're helping maintain overall performance and comfort of your vehicle. The rate at which these filters must be changed depends on type of vehicle - we expect that in most cases drivers will be able to spend more than a year at least between changes depending on conditions and mileage. They are made of pleated material that filters air and can be made of cotton synthetic paper or foam. The good news is that most engine air filters are easily accessible and you can check their location in owner's manual if you need help. Before coming to your next service appointment at your favorite auto shop learn how these two components work and how they benefit your vehicle and you.
