Regular Maintenance: How Often Should You Replace an Engine Air Filter
So many car parts working together to get you where you want to go comfortably! One of those parts that silently works for you is the engine air filter.
This important and unassuming essential protects your engine by catching sand and other debris. If not checked regularly, your air filter will slowly and soundlessly malfunction causing problems with your vehicle.
Symptoms of A Poorly Working Air Filter
As the filter becomes dirtier and dirtier, air flow to the engine is restricted, which adds unnecessary strain on your engine. In short, a dirty air filter makes it hard for your engine to breathe.
What's more, some dirt particles could get sucked up through the filter, scratching the cylinder walls and engine pistons. This can cause your engine to consume more oil.
Dirty air filters also cause the vehicle to start sluggishly. The entire emission control system is affected. In turn, spark plugs become gunked up which keeps them from sparking properly.
The actual symptoms of a dirty air filter are as follows:
• Lack of power on hard acceleration
• Lack of power at higher RPM's (not always noticeable)
• Fuel efficiency is compromised-A little at first, then a lot!
• Ignition problems
• A visual inspection shows the filter to be dirty and/or full of debris
• Extreme cases, the "Check Engine" light may illuminate
Frequency of Replacing an Engine Air Filter
How frequently you replace an air filter depends on your driving habits. Someone who drives enormous amounts each month (think 15,000-20,000 miles) will replace their filter much more often.
Typically, though, your vehicle's engine air filter should be replaced between 15,000-30,000 miles. If you don't drive much at all, replace it at least every 3 years. Otherwise, the filter becomes brittle with age.
Worse, an old filter can tear, which will allow sand and dirt to enter the engine. So even if you don't drive much, still get your air filter checked.
Replacing an air filter at your service shop isn't expensive. And in most vehicles, it's fairly easy. Better yet, it's simply a matter of regular maintenance.
Abiding by a regular maintenance schedule will avoid many of the problems listed here. And perhaps that's the point. Maintenance is the foundation to a long running vehicle.
The more care you give your vehicle, the more it will reward you with great performance.
Whether you need routine maintenance or car repairs, turn to our service department. With certified Chevy mechanics, our technicians are highly skilled and work with a variety of brand cars every day. Check our website to learn more about us.
