How do I know if my air filter needs replacing?
The air filter in your vehicle cleans the air before it’s burned in your engine. Many people wonder how often they should change their engine air filter? The simple answer is ‘when it’s dirty’. That’s a function of how much air has passed through the filter, so your manufacturer will recommend a mileage interval for replacing the air filter. But you can imagine that how dirty the air is would affect how quickly the filter gets filled.
Impurities such as dust, pollution, and other dirt must be removed from both the air and the fuel. Gasoline is filtered several times before it reaches your engine, but the air is simply pulled in from around the vehicle, which is why an extremely efficient and clean air filter is necessary.
When the filter is dirty, some fuel doesn’t burn, the engine becomes less efficient, and both the engine and exhaust system get clogged. If you drive where there is a lot of dust, pollution or pollen in the air, your engine air filter will get dirty more quickly and need to be changed sooner.
A new engine air filter will help you get more bang for your buck at the pump. Ask your certified NAPA AUTOPRO technician at John’s Thistle Auto to check or replace the filter during an oil change or scheduled maintenance.