There are many advantages to changing your air filter regularly, from better gas mileage and reduced emissions to improved acceleration and longer engine life. A clean filter allows air to flow freely and helps your vehicle's emissions system work properly. A clogged filter, on the other hand, will hinder the system and prevent it from doing its job. The air filter is placed at the point where air enters the heating and air conditioning system in your home.
It traps airborne particles that are sucked into the air and prevents them from blocking the blower and clogging the coils. Clogged coils cannot heat or cool the air passing over them and may damage the system. Therefore, the air filter helps the heating and cooling system do its job, keeps it running efficiently and protects it to last longer. A properly sized, installed and working heating and air system circulates the air in your home every hour.
Cheap 1-inch (2.54 centimeter) thick disposable filters made of blended fiberglass or natural fiber strands typically have a MERV rating of 1, but can go up to 4.To keep track of when to change the air filter, many people rely on a visual inspection to determine when to replace it. When you take your car to the mechanic, they will be able to do a quick scan to see what is causing the problem and they will tell you if it is a problem with the air filter. You have often heard that changing your air filter is an important part of maintaining your car and ensuring that it stays fresh. Filters can still look clean when dirty, depending on the substance trapped in them, so be careful.
If you know where your air filter is located (you can refer to your owner's manual for where to look), you can do a visual inspection. The particulate removal efficiency of the filter is inversely related to the energy efficiency of your heating and air system. If you are coughing and splashing, or if you vibrate excessively when you turn the engine, there is a good chance that you are ordering a new air filter. Driving in dusty or rural areas can also cause air filter performance to drop more quickly, so keep in mind that where you drive will affect how long you are driving.
However, to maintain the maximum possible performance of your car, it is recommended to replace your air filters at least every 12,000 to 15,000 miles (19,000 to 24,000 km). Cleaning and replacing the filter regularly will help extend the life of your vehicle as well as its individual parts. The air filter prevents airborne contaminants such as dirt, dust and leaves from entering the car's engine and potentially damaging it. You will have to stop and start driving a lot, which puts more demands on your car and will also cause the air filter to get dirty faster. Although it is only one small component among the many that make your car work, the air filter plays an important role in its operation.
An air filter may not seem like an important component to check and change regularly, but it is essential for maintaining optimal performance of your car.