Filters have become a vital part of our life ever since 2020. 2020 taught us the importance of filters, purifiers and masks in our life. But for our vehicles these filters have been playing a vital role from ever. For a better performance, car filters come a long way. When one of your filters gets clogged, it can cause problems and affect performance. Any damage or fault can lead to a loss of power, black smoke, or even engine failure. You might not see the air them in the car as a vital aspect, but it is.
There are 4 main filters inside your vehicle. We will be explaining the functionality of each, why they are important and about their periodic replacement.
- Cabin Filter
The cabin air filter is typically made of pleated paper, and is designed to clean the air flowing into the car, through the heating or air conditioning, before the driver or passengers breathe it in. It is mostly present behind your glove compartment or under the hood. It filters out dust, pollen and other airborne particles. If you’ve got a carbon activated cabin filter it also captures exhaust gasses and odours.
You need a periodic replacement of cabin filters for main 2 reasons
- To breathe in clear air.
- To increase the life of your car’s AC or heating system.
The time period for replacing your cabin air filter is dependent on the make, model, and year of your vehicle, so you’ll want to check your owner’s manual for verification. In general, though, most cabin air filters should be replaced somewhere between every 15,000 and 30,000 miles. You may also notice any of the following signs:
- Reduced air flow when climate control systems are on
- Lingering unpleasant odours
- Increasing dust settling on vehicle surfaces
Replacing a cabin air filter can be a simple task in most vehicles. You can look into your owners manual and find out where is it located. The cabin air filter should be easily accessible if it is behind the glove box or under the hood. However, if it is under the dashboard, this could present more of a challenge. If you prefer to leave this task to the professionals, we are always at your service
2. Air Filter
Just as cabin filter helps us to breathe in clean air inside our car, air filter helps the car engine to breathe in clean air. This makes sure that no dust, dirt, pollen, water, road grime goes in the engine bay and ensures a good mixture of air and fuel to support performance. Car air filters come in different shapes: panels, circular or cylindrical. They are made of a pleated material which filters the air and may be made of cotton, synthetic paper or foam. A clean air filter means
- Better acceleration and engine performance which in turn provide a better driving experience and better mileage.
- It also reduces overall fuel consumption which results in reduced emissions.
- A better cooling system also improves the engine life.
There is no set schedule as to when one should replace the air filter in a car. However, some guidelines will help you figure out when to change the air filter.
- How often you drive: Your driving frequency determines how often you should replace your air filters. Generally, you need to change it every 30,000 miles .
- Your car model: When it comes to an air filter, every manufacturer has a different recommendation and opinion about it. To learn when is the right time to change your car air filter, refer to the manual that comes along with the vehicle. Some vehicles might need a change after every 30,000 miles, whereas a lot of car models can run up to 45,000 miles.
- The driving condition: Your driving style and condition too can increase the frequency to change an air filter. When driving on an unpaved road, in hot weather or even in heavy traffic conditions, it affects the air filter as dirt, dust and pollen try to enter the engine. Even driving in a polluted area causes a frequent change in the air filter.
3. Oil Filter
Oil filter keeps the debris and dirt out of the oil while it circulates through the vehicle engine. A perfectly working oil filter will in turn provide a smooth engine operation, better mileage and better engine life. A faulty oil filter will allow impurities to pass through and slow down the arrival of oil, which can lead to early engine wear, poor performance or even engine failure. Oil filter should be replaced every 10,000km for petrol and 15,000km for diesel. You can visit us at Vehpal anytime for the same.
4. Fuel Filter
This helps in removing any impurities that may enter car system with the fuel. It acts as a barrier that cleans the fuel of impurities as the fuel makes its way from the fuel tank to the engine. Fuel filter is different for petrol and diesel engines.
- If your fuel filter gets clogged, it can reduce the flow and weaken performance as the engine has difficulties drawing fuel.
- Because of its abrasive action, dirt and contaminants in the fuel can speed up wear and tear, damage expensive parts and even cause the fuel pump and injector to fail.
Technicians here or in any centres will include fuel filter replacement during normally scheduled maintenance intervals.
But it is always safe to look out for any of the below signs, which will help you to decide on if filter needs replacement
- Difficulty in starting the vehicle or not starting at all.
- Excessive vibration while idling like while waiting for a stoplight to change.
- Car shuts off while driving
- Struggle in low/slow speed.
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.
