3 Benefits of Replacing Your Engine Air Filters

Posted on March 10, 2020 in Auto Repair

Your engine air filter plays a big part in how your entire engine functions. Here’s why you should consider a replacement:

1. Contaminants can impact the fuel-air mix.

When you push your gas pedal, the engine releases a very specific amount of fuel from the tank. The fuel mixes with the oxygen running through the engine, sparking an ignition. But, for this process to work, the car must inhale the right amount of clean air at the same time. If the engine air filter is dirty or damaged, it limits the amount of air flowing into your car’s engine, making the engine work harder to produce the same amount of power and, therefore, using more fuel. Replacing a clogged air filter can help your car intake air properly an increase fuel efficiency and improve acceleration, depending on your car make and model.  

Fun Fact: Your engine needs more than 10,000 litres of oxygen to burn every litre of fuel.

 

2. Reduced emissions

Changing your car’s air-fuel balance like we talked about can have a domino effect on other engine parts that. The imbalance has a direct impact on your car’s exhaust emissions, contributing to the pollution of your surrounding environment. It can also:

• pollute spark plugs, causing the engine to "rough idle;"
• increase engine depositions;
• or trigger the "Check Engine" light.

In some cars, your emissions sensors might also be triggered, or your vehicle may not be able to pass an emissions test.

3. Prolonged Engine Life

The engine 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 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.

At V&F

At V&F Auto, our certified mechanics use the latest diagnostic equipment and high-quality CARQUEST auto parts to make sure we get the job done right. Plus, our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3 year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. If it’s time for an air filtration system check, call us today at (413) 314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.