A dirty and clogged engine air filter takes away the efficiency of your car. It’s simple math: your vehicle depends on your engine, and the engine needs the filter to breathe. You heard it right; airflow is an essential aspect of your car that you need to take care of, especially during the summer.
To make this hassle easier, The Key Online brings you seven signs that indicate it’s time to get your hands on a new engine air filter:
1. Reduced Fuel Economy
A clogged air filter will make your engine work harder from the lack of engine air intake, resulting in incomplete combustion & reduced fuel efficiency. If recently, you have been noticing that your car is consuming more gas than usual, it might be a clear indication that you need to change your engine air filter.
2. Misfiring Engine
Due to restricted airflow, an engine air filter can cause engine misfires. If your check engine light is consistently on, or you’re experiencing engine performance issues, it might be time for a new filter.
3. Check Engine Light
Sometimes, a clogged air filter can trigger your check engine light. If you’re wondering why this happens, it’s because a dirty air filter can cause your engine to run rich. This, in turn, will set off the check engine light.
4. Rough Idle
If your engine air filter is clogged, it can cause your car to have a rough idle. This happens because there’s not enough air flowing into the engine, which can cause the engine to misfire.
5. Dirty Engine Filter
Inspecting the engine air filter is the best way to tell if you need to replace it. If you notice that your filter is covered with dirt and grime and you can barely see the surface, it’s time for a swap. Doing so will help ensure that your engine is running correctly and efficiently.
6. Smoke Coming Out of Exhaust Pipe
Smoke from your exhaust pipe could be another clear sign that you must replace your engine air filter. Smoke from exhaust pipes occurs due to the clogged filter not allowing enough air to flow into the engine. The flow restriction can cause the engine to run rich and produce smoke.
7. Diminished Power and Poor Acceleration
If you notice that your car doesn’t have the same power it used to and is struggling to accelerate, then it could be time to change the engine air filter. A clogged air filter can restrict airflow to the engine, leading to a loss of power.
End Note:
Don’t hesitate to change your engine air filter if you notice any of these indications. Your air filter’s significance can drastically affect your car’s overall performance. A new one will ensure your vehicle is running at its best, and if you don’t know how to change it, no worries!
At The Key Online, we can help you out. We deal in a variety of well-kept used cars from GMC, Toyota, Ford, and more, so come on and check out our selection!
Contact our experts to learn more about the luxury per-owned vehicles we offer!
