When it comes to air filters, usually a new engine air filter is white or off-white in color. If the filter is only slightly dirty, it's safe to stay inside. A thin layer of dirt can be removed by tapping it to release any loose debris. However, if the filter is covered with dirt and other contaminants, it needs to be replaced.
A decrease in gasoline mileage is often a sign that something is wrong. Air filters contribute to fuel efficiency, but a dirty filter can reduce oxygen flow. This means that the vehicle must burn more fuel to compensate for the lack of oxygen. A dirty air filter decreases the amount of air supplied to the engine, resulting in 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. This can cause the car to move abruptly, idle, and in some cases, the engine may fail. Most automotive companies recommend changing the air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or every 12 months. However, if you normally drive in dusty or rural areas such as Scottsdale, Arizona or San Antonio, Texas, it's a good idea to have your mechanic check and change it more often - for example, every 6,000 miles.
Driving in busy areas where there is a lot of traffic, such as Los Angeles and Washington DC, can also require you to replace the air cleaner more often due to frequent stop-and-go driving. Most vehicles also have a cabin air filter that is used to clean the air entering the interior of the car, but it has a different maintenance program than an engine air filter. Our certified mobile mechanics perform more than 600 services, including diagnostics, brakes, oil changes and scheduled mileage maintenance - and they come to you with all the necessary parts and tools. Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in more than 2,000 U. S.
cities. Get fast and free online quotes for your car repair. When air filters become clogged and dirty, they begin to allow dust and dirt to pass through the ventilation system into your home. This creates more dust, leaves a film on all surfaces and recirculates that same dust and dirt through the system over and over again. If you don't replace the air cleaner at the suggested intervals, you may notice distinctive signs that it needs to be replaced. Changing the air filter in your heating and cooling system is one of the simplest and most important maintenance tasks.
Many modern engines draw around 10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned in the combustion cycle. In other words, every time your system has to work harder than usual, it costs you dearly - not only that but you get less air for your money. At some point, dirt buildup can cause the engine to overheat and break down or cause the condenser coils to freeze and freeze up the air conditioning unit. If you live in a particularly dusty area, consider using a washable foam pre-filter (if applicable) to capture most of the dust so you won't have to replace the air filter as often. Dirty air filters prevent the system from receiving the right amount of air or fuel and make it difficult for the engine to perform its function properly. Engine air filters prevent harmful debris from damaging components crucial to keeping the car running smoothly - if they become too congested during summer cooling season they can cause a lack of airflow to the evaporator or cooling coils. Inadequate air supply can cause some of the fuel not to burn completely in the combustion cycle.
This air reaches the engine through an air filter that works to keep out road debris, dirt, insects and other contaminants that can damage the engine. A new air cleaner may be white, off-white, yellow or another color but you should expect at least slight discoloration from a used one. In summary: when an overloaded air blower fails completely it can cause your entire system to fail - costing you thousands of dollars for repair or replacement.
