Before we get to vehicle filter replacement and why it is necessary, let’s first talk about the filter itself and what it does.
Air, specifically oxygen, is a critical component in any engine that operates by internal combustion. This is because fuels like gasoline and diesel require oxygen to burn and provide the explosive force that powers the engine. However, it is important that only clean air that is free of any dirt, dust or debris is sucked into the combustion chambers of the engine. These foreign particles are abrasive and could over time erode the metal parts of the engine, wearing away the piston rings, cylinders and engine bearings. This eventually damages the engine resulting in poor performance and potentially reducing the life of the car.
The air filters of a vehicle trap the particles of dirt and dust, allowing only clean, debris-free air to pass through to the engine. As you can see, it is only a matter of time before the air filter gets clogged with grit from the outside environment. The thing is, it is impossible to predict how long it will be before the filter gets completely blocked up. This would depend on how much you drive your car and under what conditions. If your daily route involves driving through dusty conditions, then you will need to change your air filter more often than someone who does not drive as much and when they do, the route is less polluted.
Air filters have definitely come a long way in recent years. They filter better and last longer than their older counterparts but despite all of these improvements, they still need to be serviced regularly or you will be sorry. Even the best filters cannot and do not work at 100% efficiency in the absence of regular service.
At Orleans AutoPro, we recommend that to be on the safe side, you should get your car air filters inspected at least every 6,000 miles. It will cost nothing to look but that small step could save you from extensive and expensive repairs down the road.
Bring your car down to our service centre today so our trained professions can do a spot check. If your vehicle looks like its needs a filter replacement, we will do the needful and replace your old filter with a new one that meets the manufacturer’s recommendations.