Air Filter |
Spring time is the perfect time to retrieve your vehicle from all the ravages and negative effects of winter. It is also the right time to set it up for some carefree and untroubled summer road adventures. Among the first things to start is with your automobile’s air filter. Winter season usually brings too much cold temperatures as well as strong winds, snow and rain. And these elements are all harsh to the air filter of your vehicle. When condensation takes place, the moisture typically finds its ways into the inlet system of the engine, causing the air filter to lose its shape as well as its filtering capability.
An air filter is a very significant component of a vehicle’s intake system because the engine “breathes” through it. In order to operate, the engine requires an accurate mixture of air and fuel. All of the air gets into the system by passing through the air filter. The air filter’s basic function is to filter out or trap air particles that can possibly bring damage to some engine parts such as walls, pistons, cylinders and piston rings. Aside from that, the air filter also helps in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor. Sometimes, the air filter cleans the air that gets in the crankcase for ventilation. The air filter also acts as a silencer for the vehicle’s intake system. For every gallon of fuel burned, the engine can consume up to 10,000 gallons of air. With this, it’s way easy for you to imagine how big the job of air filter is.
The automotive air filters are generally inexpensive, due mainly to their simple construction. This component is typically made up of disposable, pleated-paper or fibrous material and has a sealing gasket composed of synthetic material. There are also vehicle air filters that are made out of fabric or cotton-like material, which is oiled subsequently in order to augment the airflow through the filter. Air filters are classified into two types – the panel style and the radical style. Most fuel-injected automobiles employ the panel style air filter while the radical style is typically used in carbureted applications. The air filter sits in a holder which is normally a metal or plastic box.
For maximum car performance, the air filter should be clean. Meaning, it should be replaced in a regular basis regardless of how dirty it looks. If the vehicle is always used in dusty places and dirty driving situations, it will surely require more frequent air filter replacements. Driving with dirty or clogged air filter can definitely affect the vehicle’s gas mileage and can cause other system to perform inefficiently like emissions control system which is responsible for regulating the air-fuel mixture in the vehicle. A clogged air filter can also cause the spark plug to malfunction which consequently leads to some troubles in keeping the car running.
The vehicle’s air filter should be replaced at least once a year to keep up your vehicle’s tiptop performance and extend its life. You can let a mechanic check and replace your car’s air filter at every oil change or during your annual tune-up. If you intend to do it yourself, be sure to do it with the engine off. Moreover, for your air filter replacement needs, the finest units are available here at Parts Train.
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