How a Dirty Air Filter Affects Performance 

The air filter that is in your vehicle’s engine allows the engine to take in clean and uncontaminated air for its combustion cycle. The engine’s air filter, through various filtration techniques, separates dirt and debris from the air that enters the hood of a vehicle. Over time, however, this dirt and debris can build up on the engine’s air filter, blocking air flow into the vehicle’s engine. When the engine’s air flow is blocked, there are several things that a driver will notice from their vehicle.

Reduced Fuel Economy

One of the first signs that the air filter of your vehicle needs to be changed is a drop in the vehicle’s fuel economy. While this sign is slightly unnoticeable, unless you are attentive or have a vehicle that provides fuel economy updates, it is an important sign that lets you know how your vehicle’s engine is performing. When an air filter is too dirty and is preventing airflow to an engine, the engine will compensate by adding more fuel into the air-fuel mixture of its combustion process. However, many modern engine designs are able to avoid this overcompensation and may produce other signs that their air filters are dirty.

Slow Acceleration

When your vehicle’s air filter is too dirty, the vehicle may not accelerate as quickly. The engine of your vehicle, which needs adequate air and fuel to produce power, may not be able to produce the power that it needs to deliver the performance that you are used to. As a result, when you press on the accelerator pedal of your vehicle, the vehicle may not get up to speed as quickly as it normally does. A new air filter will improve the engine’s airflow and allow the engine to provide its normal power again.

Rough Engine Performance

Your vehicle’s engine may not run properly when its air filter is too dirty or clogged. You may have issues starting the vehicle with a clogged air filter or you may hear its engine misfiring; these are all fuel-related or airflow-related issues. A clogged air filter can cause your engine’s spark plugs to become clogged as well, allowing the engine to misfire and run roughly also, due to the extra fuel that the engine will be burning. At idle, your vehicle’s engine may run roughly with inconsistent behavior if its air filter is clogged.

Unusual Noises

When the air filter of your vehicle’s engine is clogged, you may hear the engine making hissing sounds or other abnormal sounds. If the engine is misfiring, you will hear a pinging sound or popping sounds from your vehicle’s exhaust pipe. While these sounds can also be signs of other issues in your vehicle’s engine, you should first check the condition of the engine’s air filter if you hear the sounds. If the air filter is black or covered in debris, then you will need to change it.

Check Engine Light

The computers in the engines of vehicles are pretty quick at detecting engine problems. If your vehicle’s air filter needs to be changed, then the vehicle’s check engine light may illuminate on the vehicle’s dashboard. While you may not immediately know the reason for the light, unless the light is accompanied by other air filter-related issues, you can scan your vehicle for check engine codes. After you run the codes, you will see that the engine’s air filter needs to be replaced. Once you replace the air filter of your vehicle’s engine, the check engine light will turn off.

Air Filter Maintenance Schedule

For the best performance possible, drivers should routinely keep up with the maintenance of their vehicles. The air filter maintenance schedule for a vehicle can vary based on the vehicle’s design, the vehicle’s usage, a driver’s habits, and several other factors. There are some manufacturers that recommend that drivers have the air filters of their vehicles changed between every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, your vehicle’s air filter may need to be changed outside of this range. To determine which air filter maintenance routine will be the best for your specific vehicle, refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual to read what the vehicle’s manufacturer recommends.

Conclusion

Keeping your vehicle’s air filter well-maintained will allow your vehicle to run optimally. If your vehicle’s current engine air filter needs to be changed, there are many benefits that you will see immediately after you replace the air filter that is in the engine. At Jessup Cadillac, you will find many of the products and services that you need to keep your vehicle running smoothly on the road. Contact us if you would like to learn more about air filters, air filter maintenance, and how air filters affect the performance of your vehicle.

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