What Happens When Your Car Needs a New Air Filter?

Dirty or damaged air filters can have a major impact on your car's performance. Reduced airflow to the engine can cause the car to idle abruptly, increase engine depositions, and trigger the “Engine Service” light. To detect a filter that needs to be changed, take a look at it. A clean, fresh filter will be mostly white in color, but will darken as dust and dirt build up.

If the filter looks very dark and dirty, it may be time to change it. When you step on the accelerator pedal, if the car moves forward but not as smoothly as you normally recognize, check the air filter further for dirt buildup. Other signs that the air filter is affecting the performance of your car are sudden movements when accelerating or not responding as well as it should. Driving in dusty or rural locations can also cause air filter performance to decline more rapidly.

One of the most common problems you'll encounter when you need to change your engine's air filter is decreased fuel consumption. If you notice any sudden changes, such as slow performance when driving uphill or the car has difficulty reaching high speeds, the filter may be to blame for this. Worn or dirty air filters will cause your engine to malfunction; among the things you'll notice is that you'll have less power and weaker acceleration. If you've recently noticed that you need to refill your gas tank more often than usual, it's probably time to check your air filter.

You can visually check the engine air filter to see if it looks dirty or if it is full of debris. The location of the air filter varies by vehicle, so consult your owner's manual to find out exactly where the filter is located. If you are coughing and sputtering, or if you vibrate excessively when you turn the engine, you are most likely ordering a new air filter. Come to Hansen Motors in Brigham City, Utah, to have your air filter replaced and your car back in top shape. If the air filter is blocked and not enough air reaches the engine, the light turns on automatically.

If you notice that your fuel bill is higher than it should and that gas prices haven't changed much, take a look at the air filter first.