Do you know the difference between an engine air filter and a cabin air filter? Although these two terms sound the same, they play vitally different roles. Engine air filters are important for your car's engine, while cabin air filters are essential for your health.
Cars and humans both require clean air in order to function properly. The engine air filter is located under your vehicle's hood and helps your engine breathe. It is said that for every gallon of fuel that is burned, your vehicle's engine uses up to 10,000 gallons of air! That's why it is so important to clean and change the engine air filter regularly. The cabin air filter, on the other hand, is what keeps the vehicle’s cabin clean. As air comes into the cabin, the filter sifts out any dust, pollen, smog, mold, and other junk to keep it from entering your vehicle.
If you are not allowing your car to get proper air ventilation, you can drastically increase the wear and tear on your engine-- and on your body.
Replacing Your Engine Air Filters
If dirty air is allowed to enter the engine’s intake system, foreign particles can wear away at important metal components of the engine, such as piston rings, cylinders, and engine bearings. In extreme cases, a dirty air filter can choke your vehicle's engine. Cleaning your engine air filter will protect against wear and erosion while providing major performance benefits such as:
- Increasing fuel efficiency: improving airflow to the engine increases its performance which in turn improves gas mileage.
- Minimizing car emissions: clean engine air filters can capture more harmful gasses as they leave your vehicle.
- Extending the engine's life: proper airflow allows all of the systems in your car to run much more smoothly
Replacing Your Cabin Air Filters
If dirty air is allowed to enter the cabin of your vehicle, you'll have a different set of problems on your hands. Dirt, dust, and foreign particles can decrease the air quality in your car making it harder to breathe and even damaging your interior. Plus, if the filter gets too dirty, it can cause your A/C to work harder than it needs to, eventually causing damage to your heating and cooling system and requiring a much bigger repair.
Usually, your mechanic will have this part on their radar and monitor it for replacement. Because of its location, changing a cabin air filter is a difficult do-it-yourself project so it’s usually best to have it serviced by a professional. Most filters need to be replaced between 15,000 to 25,000 miles, or about once a year.
At V&F
Keeping up with regular, recommended maintenance on your car's filters helps extend the life of your vehicle and prevents high-cost repairs in the future. 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. Our auto repair services are backed by an industry-leading 3-year / 36,000-mile warranty on parts and labor. Call us today at (413) 314-2280 or schedule an appointment online.
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