All cars with gasoline engines are equipped with air filters, and hybrid and diesel engines are no exception. Air filters are consumables. If you pay attention to replacing them, your car will be able to perform as it should. The air cleaner is a part that is located in the air cleaner box in the engine bay. It is often mistaken for an air conditioner filter, but its function is different. Let’s explain the function of the air filter and the effect of replacing it.
Is replacing your air filter effective? What happens if you don’t replace it?
Air is Essential for Engine Combustion
Gasoline is mixed with air and sent to the cylinder, where the piston compresses the mixture and the spark plug causes it to explode and burn. By the way, diesel is diesel directly into compressed and heated air. Combustion pushes the piston, turns the crank, and transmits power to the tires. Whether gasoline or diesel, air is essential to run the engine.
However, the air in the atmosphere contains many impurities, such as dust, dirt, pollen, and many others. If these impurities are pumped into the engine and fuel, combustion will not occur normally.
In the worst-case scenario, it may even damage the cylinders and pistons. To avoid this danger, an air filter is installed to filter the air that is taken in. It is an essential piece of equipment for normal combustion. It’s only natural that filters will get dirty, as they filter out impurities from the air to let clean air in. No matter what kind of filter you have, its functionality will decrease if you leave it dirty. Cars are no exception. If the air filter is dirty, the car’s functions will not work properly.
Dirty air filters reduce fuel economy
The mixture ratio of fuel and air is precisely regulated for each engine. If the mixture ratio deviates from the specified value, combustion will not occur normally. The amount of air taken in through the air filter must be accurate.
However, if filtered impurities accumulate, the filter will naturally become clogged,
meaning the amount of air will decrease. If the fuel ratio is high in the mixture, combustion will be incomplete and power will decrease. Drivers step on the accelerator to extract normal power, which leads to worse fuel economy.
If incomplete combustion continues, soot and carbon will accumulate in the cylinders. The carbon will inhibit the movement of the pistons, which will further increase the burden on the engine. This creates a vicious cycle. Most air filters are simple pieces of pleated non-woven fabric or filter paper. However, they play an important role in keeping the engine running properly.
When is the right time to change your air filter?
Usually, the air filter is housed in a filter box. Although there are slight differences depending on the car model, you cannot tell if the body is dirty unless you remove it. However, as you continue to drive, it will get dirty, so you should replace it regularly.
The general replacement interval is every 20,000 to 30,000 km. For those who drive around 10,000 km per year, the best time to replace it is when you have your car inspected. If you often drive on unpaved roads, it is easy to pick up sand and dust, so it is safer to replace it sooner.
Please note that air filters are disposable consumables. Genuine products are not expensive, so please replace them. Dry types that use non-woven fabric can be used to blow away dirt with a blower, but their durability will decrease significantly. There are also wet-type air filters that are coated with oil, which can be cleaned, but this requires a special kit and some skill. The wet type is an air filter that brings out high performance, but the dry type is sufficient for general driving.
Are Air filters and air conditioner filters the same? By the way, air filters and air conditioner filters are different things. Although they are similar in shape, they are installed in different places and have different purposes. Be careful not to make a mistake when replacing them yourself.
The Advantage of Replacement is Engine Stability
There are many reasons why problems such as poor fuel economy or a lack of engine power may occur. For example, low tire pressure, engine oil leaks or dirt, or leaving heavy luggage on the car can also be a cause. It cannot be said that the cause of fuel consumption or lack of power is always the air filter. Especially if you change it regularly, it is important to find other causes.
The air filter is merely a piece of equipment to keep your car performing normally, so replacing it does not necessarily mean you can expect any dramatic results. On the contrary, if you feel a big difference from before the replacement, it is because of a lack of maintenance. Please replace it sooner from next time. Even if you do not get a dramatic change by replacing it, you can get engine stability.
Combustion is the Core of the Engine.
If it malfunctions due to insufficient air intake, the risk of breakdown increases. As a result, durability decreases, which may lead to an earlier sale date. Always taking in clean air improves combustion efficiency. A durable engine is also an important point when trading in or purchasing a car. To increase the value of your car, be sure to replace your air filter regularly.
Conclusion
Car Air Filter Replacement is an essential part of maintenance which keeps the Engine stable and keeps you on the road. Hytec Auto Garage in Dubai is a suitable place for your luxury vehicle to be taken care of. Our Auto Shop is at a prime location approachable from all sides of UAE. We are located in Al Quoz, Dubai. Contact us at Ph no. +971 50 9774543 today and get the best Car Maintenance Services.
