If you never thought of your car as a living,
breathing thing then this blog post might change your mind about that. For
example, did you know that your car needs to breathe clean air in order to
operate efficiently? It’s true. Without that air, you’re going to spend more
money at the pump and your car’s engine will perform poorly.
Understanding
How Your Car Engine Operations
Your engine operates on a mix of fuel and air.
Oxygen is what makes fuel burn so that it can power your engine. But there’s a
small catch. The air has to be clean – otherwise, you can get all sorts of dirt
and debris into your engine. That’s no good. A dirty engine is an engine not
long for the earth. The solution? An air filter, which keeps the majority of
particulates (up to 99 percent) out of your engine.
What
Happens When You Don’t Replace Your Air Filter?
Car engines don’t just need air. They need a certain
amount of it. They’re built to require a specific ratio of air to fuel in order
for their engines to run properly. If your engine’s not getting enough clear
air – as can happen when your air filter is either clogged up or isn’t
filtering properly – this can strain and damage your engine.
When
Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
Knowing when to replace your engine’s air filter can
be as easy as eyeballing it to see if it looks dirty. This isn’t always a
scientific method, though, and a lot of shops will recommend that you change
your air filter every time you change your oil – which some experts say is
excessive. For a good guide, check your owner’s manual. Usually, manufacturers
recommend changing your engine air filter every 60,000 miles or every few
years, whichever comes first.
Exceptions
to the Rule
Knowing when to change your engine air filter also
greatly depends on how you use your car and where you live. Here are a few
rules of thumb that could cause you to have your air filter changed either more
frequently or less frequently.
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