Air Filters - How do they work?

Air filters play a vital role in allowing your engine to run efficiently while keeping it clean. Engines require a free flow of clean air to operate. Outside air goes through the air filter, into the intake manifold, and mixes with your vehicle’s gas to power your engine. Engines require exact ratios of air and gas for engines to run as efficiently as possible; so, it is important to have a clean air filter. There are many contaminants that can get into your engine, such as dust, dirt, salt, tiny rocks, bugs, etc. Air filters have to stop these contaminants before they damage your engine by clogging passageways or damaging pistons and other internal engine parts.

Air Filters - Why do I Need to Replace Them?
 

 Air filters are one of the most overlooked parts of your vehicle. They play a significant role in the performance of your engine. Your vehicle can lose up to 20 horsepower from a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter can also affect your vehicle’s gas mileage. Air filters have to allow air to pass freely into your engine. If an air filter gets dirty, it can restrict the amount of airflow and make your engine work harder. Your engine requires an exact amount of air and gas to power your engine. If your engine is not getting enough air, it will have to use more gas to compensate. This will reduce your gas mileage as well as your engine’s performance.

Air Filters - Why do they need to be replaced
 

Dirt and debris build up over time and clog the pores on your engine’s air filter. Generally, you should have your air filter replaced every other time you have your oil changed (about every 6,000 miles). At the very least, you should have your air filter changed once a year. However, depending on where you live and the conditions of roads on which you drive (dirt or dusty roads), you should check your air filter every time you change your oil. This regular maintenance can lead to better engine performance and gas mileage.