The Dangers of a Dirty Air Filter
Your air filters play a big part in how your entire engine functions. Here’s why you should keep them clean:
1. Waste will corrode your engine.
The air filter’s main use is to clean bugs bits, dirt, allergens, and other debris from the air before it gets into the car. But, as the air filter gets dirtier over time, waste builds up on the filter itself and, eventually, the system loses the capacity to clean the air. When this happens, debris can go through the filter and wreak havoc on your engine. Even small contaminants will wear on the engine’s metal and produce more debris along the way. If these impurities are sucked into the combustion chamber, the whole engine may fail.2. Contaminants can impact the fuel-air mix.
When you push your gas pedal, the engine releases a specific amount of fuel from the tank. This fuel mixes with the oxygen running through the engine, sparking an ignition. But, for this progression to work as anticipated, the car must inhale the right amount of clean air. If the air filter is blocked with grime, airflow decreases and clean oxygen can’t mix with the fuel. This causes the fuel to then become too “rich”, lowering your gas mileage and putting unnecessary stress on the engine. Gradually, you’ll notice your car start to drive rough and your “check engine” light may also turn on.Read more: 3 Benefits of Replacing Your Engine Air Filters