The next time you take your car for an oil change, your mechanic will also talk to you about your engine and cabin air filters. Like many people, you may choose to forgo their replacement. However, keeping your air filters clean is an important part of your vehicle’s maintenance and today, we’re going to talk about why that is.
What Kinds of Air Filters are in Your Car?
There are several air filters in your car that all serve different purposes. Let’s start with the engine air filter. The engine air filter helps to filter the air that goes into your engine so that it doesn’t get cluttered with dirt or bugs. When it gets dirty your engine may not function as efficiently as it should.
The next important air filter in your car is the cabin air filter. This filter helps to clean the air that comes out of your AC and heating vents so that you don’t inhale debris and other pollutants like mold spores, smog, and pollen. If you suffer from allergy problems, changing the cabin air filter can make a world of difference.
So, Why Should We Change the Filters?
Changing the air filters in your car can be important for a number of reasons. The first reason that we would like to touch on is that replacing the filters regularly is much more cost effective than waiting for them to cause problems. A dirty cabin air filter can lead to your car’s A/C motor having to work exceptionally hard and eventually fail. This can be a costly repair, but replacing the air filter in a timely fashion is much, much cheaper. The same goes for your engine air filter. When the filter is clogged, your engine can “run rich” and operate inefficiently, which can lead to a rough idle and other issues.
Changing the filters at least once a year will help to keep your car running efficiently and help you to avoid costly problems down the line. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and we’re here to help you with that.
When Should The Air Filters Be Changed?
Both filters should be changed at least once a year. However, if you bring pets into your car frequently, then you may need to change your cabin air filter more often. This can also be true if you smoke in your car. We can take a look at your air filters the next time you come in for an oil change to see if they need to be replaced.
Hillmuth is Here to Help!
If you have questions about your air filters, then bring them to us. We would be happy to talk through your concerns and address them if need be. Contact us today for more information on your air filters or to set up an appointment with us.
