Every car has four main filters: the cabin filter, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter. The function of all these filters is to enable flows and catch impurities: the dust and contaminants in the air, the impurities in the fuel or the dirt in the motor oil. If your car filters are not replaced in time, they won’t work properly and in the end, it could cause an impact on the mechanics. By replacing your filters, your car will be more efficient. When you take your vehicle in for service, ask what filters they use. Most filters are relatively inexpensive to replace, failure to change them could cost you a significant amount of money down the road with engine problems. Clogged filters can even affect your fuel mileage.
Here’s a look at four of the most common filters in your vehicle and what you should know about them:
Air Filter
Microscopic particles of dirt, sand or road debris could reduce engine performance and cause internal damage to the moving parts inside. The air filter traps any impurities in the air from getting into your engine. Something that has direct influence on the combustion process like this also has direct influence on the fuel-efficiency of the vehicle. In order for the vehicle to meet the optimal fuel-efficiency, the vehicle needs to be combusting properly. Without the proper combustion, fuel mileage and power are both lost.
Your vehicle’s air filter should be checked during each preventive maintenance service by your local technician. Remember to have it changed according to the recommended service interval in the owner’s manual.
Cabin Air Filter
The rest of the filters are oriented towards the health of the vehicle, but this one is strictly for your benefit. The same particles that are filtered out of the engine’s system are also filtered out from the cabin. This cabin air filter works similarly to the engine air filter, and catches any dust particles or pollen that are floating around in the air. In turn, this prevents those irritating, and potentially harmful, particles from entering the cabin. The impact of these airborne annoyances is significantly reduced inside the cab, especially for those with allergies, ultimately making the air inside of the car much cleaner.
Just like the engine air filter, you should change your cabin air filters out once a year. Again, an exception to that is if you frequently drive in a dusty or polluted area, in which case, you’ll want to change them more often.
Oil Filter
Your vehicle’s oil filter is filtering out metal shavings, and other contaminants that could harm the engine. The filter traps these contaminants that are in your engine oil. You should have your vehicle’s oil filter changed every time you have your oil changed.
Check your owner’s manual for the recommended interval. It is important to make sure that the oil filter being installed on your vehicle has the capacity to last until your next oil change. “It important to make sure that the oil filter being installed has the capacity to last until your next oil change.” In addition, you will need to pay attention to the recommendations for heavy-duty use; usually, those intervals are shorter. If you spend a lot of time commuting in heavy traffic, your vehicle could get as much wear and tear as a taxi. Consult your local automotive repair facility and technician to see if these driving conditions apply to you.
Fuel Filter
The next filter is the fuel filter, and is the only one on this list that has two different functions. Depending on the type of fuel used — petroleum or diesel — the fuel filter will act differently. In a gas engine car, the filter removes impurities like dirt or rust that could clog the fuel system and reduce power or stop the car altogether. In a diesel engine vehicle, the fuel filter removes trace amounts of water that could be in the fuel that could cause corrosion to internal engine parts. Check your owner’s manual on the recommended service interval.
While filters aren’t top-of-mind, they are vital for the smooth-running and general wellbeing of your vehicle. To keep your car working effectively, keep an eye on the various types of car filter and carry out car filter replacement so they can flow freely. If you are unsure, look at the owner’s manual or speak to a qualified mechanic about the best options.
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