The Dangers of Not Cleaning Your Car's Air Filter

Learn about why cleaning your car's air filter is important for keeping your car running smoothly and avoiding permanent damage.

The Dangers of Not Cleaning Your Car's Air Filter

When it comes to keeping your car running smoothly, one of the most important components is the air filter. This small but essential part helps keep dirt, debris, and other harmful contaminants out of the combustion chamber of your engine. Without a clean air filter, your car can suffer from decreased power, poor fuel efficiency, and even engine failure. A dirty air filter reduces the amount of clean air that reaches the engine, which decreases its power and performance.

If it seems that your vehicle is slow to respond when you press the accelerator, this may be an indication that the engine is not getting enough clean air. When the air filter becomes too dirty, it will clog and the engine will not be able to draw enough air into the combustion chamber. As a result, the engine will use more gasoline and less air, resulting in poorer performance and a decrease in fuel efficiency. A visual inspection can be the first confirmation of a defective filter.

Always check the filter in the right light. If it appears to be contaminated with dirt, dust, and debris, it might be time to clean it. Replacing the dirty engine air filter with a new, clean one can improve engine acceleration. Without the air filter, all of those things would enter the combustion chamber of your engine.

This can cause a number of problems, such as a drop in power, a decrease in fuel efficiency and a difficulty starting the vehicle. There are many harmful components in the air that your vehicle will trap before it enters the cab, so if you don't change it, you could encounter all kinds of permanent damage, including engine failure. A dirty air filter decreases the amount of air supplied to the engine. This can cause an increase in unburned fuel that becomes soot residue.

Soot can build up on the tips of the spark plugs, making them unable to produce a proper spark. In return, the car may move abruptly, idle, and in some circumstances, the engine may fail. If you drive an older carburettor vehicle, a drop in fuel economy is a common sign that the air filter is dirty. For every gallon of gasoline consumed by a car, it must be able to ingest thousands of gallons of air to process that fuel efficiently. With a clean, transparent air filter in your car, you'll help your vehicle do exactly what it's designed to do: get you where you want to go without problems. Regularly replacing the air filter and checking it helps reduce the risk of this happening in the near future.

If you start to hear coughing or clicking noises coming from the engine compartment or if your vehicle vibrates excessively, it could be a symptom of a dirty air filter damaging a spark plug.The humble air filter is an important part of your vehicle that prevents dirt, debris and other contaminants from entering the engine and damaging it. As long as you keep your filter clean and maintained, you will avoid some of these easily avoidable problems and extend the life of your vehicle. It's generally recommended to change a car's air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or every 12 months but check your owner's manual to see what's recommended for your own vehicle. Driving with a dirty air filter may seem like no big deal but doing so can have a negative impact on your health and that of your vehicle. If you discover that your air filter needs a change, it is advisable to also check the condition of the spark plugs to see if they have also suffered any damage. While air filters are usually easy to access if you find that yours isn't you can leave maintenance to a garage mechanic who can recommend if and when they need to be replaced. The reality is that a foul-smelling cab isn't the most pressing problem drivers will face if they never change their cabin air filter or don't change it often enough.

It's generally recommended to change your vehicle's air filters every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you want to keep your car running smoothly for years to come then make sure you regularly check and replace your car's air filter when necessary. Doing so will help prevent dirt and debris from entering your engine and causing permanent damage.