How Filters Keep Your Car Clean Under the Hood

Your car has three different types of filters that work to keep the contaminants, debris, and impurities out of the fuel system, engine air supply system and car cabin air supply. They are the oil filter, air filter, and cabin air filter, respectively. If any of these filters is not functioning optimally, you will soon see that your car is not running, as it should. Thus, it is advisable to have your mechanic check them at regular intervals as recommended by the car manufacturer. Also, make sure you have them cleaned or replaced when they show clogging.

Air filter
What the air filter does: The air filter protects your engine from organic and inorganic debris that may enter it. These can be bugs, dirt, road debris, water or any other impurities the car might pick up on the road. The air filter also ensures that your engine gets the oxygen-rich air supply it needs to efficiently burn fuel and give you the maximum mileage per gallon of gasoline.

Symptoms of wear or clogging: If the air filter does not clean effectively, the engine has to work harder to burn fuel. Not only does it consume more fuel, but it also does not burn it completely. As a result, unburnt fuel makes its way out of the exhaust resulting in a black sooty smoke and even flames. You’ll also notice lower horsepower and acceleration, and lower fuel efficiency along with coughing sounds from the car engine. You might also have trouble starting up the engine because of sooty deposits on the spark plug.

When to change the air filter: It is advisable to replace the air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or once in 12 months. However, if you live in a rural area or drive in dusty roads frequently, you might want to have it replaced every 6,000 miles.

Cabin air filter
What the cabin air filter does: The cabin air filter keeps the air inside the car cabin clean. It filters out dirt, dust, pollen, allergens, smoke, soot, mold spores, and other contaminants and prevents them from entering through the air-conditioning and heating vents.

Symptoms of wear or clogging: If the cabin air filter is not performing properly, you’ll notice a musty odor in the car and low pressure air flow from the car cabin vents. This is because of unfiltered air circulating in the cabin. You might also notice that the air-conditioning or heating is not very effective. A clogged car cabin air filter will result in your engine diverting power towards it and you’ll notice a lower horsepower.

When to change the cabin air filter: Consult the owner’s manual for directions on when to change the cabin air filter. Most manufacturers recommend that you change it every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or once in 12 months. Depending on the conditions in which you typically drive, you could have your mechanic check the cabin air filter every six months.

Fuel filter
What the fuel filter does: Essentially, the fuel filter works to protect your engine and keep it working. It cleans and filters the motor oil to remove the contaminants and metal shavings it gathers while circulating around the engine. An efficient fuel air filter can help prolong the time frame between motor oil changes. Most fuel filters come with a bypass valve that allows the motor oil to flow around the filter if it is too clogged and does not allow the free flow of oil.

Symptoms of wear or clogging: A worn out or clogged fuel filter will cause the engine to work harder to pump oil. This will result in lower fuel economy and slower acceleration. An insufficient motor oil supply can also cause friction in the engine’s vital parts, and overheating. Thus, your engine could stop functioning and the car could come to a complete halt.

When to change the fuel filter: The frequency with which you need to have the fuel filter replaced can depend on the conditions in which you drive and the kind of filter media or the membranes inside the fuel filter. Oil filters with cellulose media need replacing every 3,000 miles while those with synthetic media could need a change at every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Oil filters with microglass media remain effective up to 10,000 miles. As an added precaution, have your mechanic check the fuel filter for clogging every time you take the car for maintenance.

How to Clean Car Air Conditioner Filter and How Not to Do It

The air conditioner filter are one of the parts on the category of the filter which are mostly overlooked and are neglected because of their more popular and under the attention cousins like the fuel filter and air filter (which supply clean for the air-fuel mixture to the engine). However, if the air conditioner filter are no maintained and are not cared for, they can make your driving experience extremely unpleasant.

A dirty air conditioner filter will not only hinder the air conditioning systems of your car, it will also become a breeding ground for different germs and bacteria which will release unpleasant odors making your car smell like something similar to musk. The air conditioner filter may not be included in the key components of a vehicle but its importance is still that of one.

Reading this may have induced the thoughts of cleaning the air conditioner filter in your mind and it is a fairly simple job but if you do not know how to do it properly, then you can end up with an expense of buying a new air conditioner filter by damaging it during the cleaning process. Here, you will be educated on how to clean air conditioner filter of your car and what to avoid during its cleaning.

How to Clean Air Conditioner filter

In order to clean the air conditioner filter of your car, you will first need to remove them from your vehicle. The position of the air filter can vary from the company to company and car to car, so be sure to check the manual of your car in order to locate the position of the air conditioner filter. It is usually placed behind the dash board in most of the cars but check the manual of your car in order to find it. Its shape and size may vary depending on the manufacturers, but the general shape of the air conditioner filter is square with slotted bar in it. After locating the air conditioner filter, gently remove it from its holding and place it on the ground or on a work table.

You will need an air compressor or another source of blowing air with some degree of pressure like an electric blower. Gently hold the air filter and blow the air through it. Make sure to blow the air through every slot of the filter so that any dust hiding in any corner of the filter is flushed out. After thoroughly blowing the air through the filter, spray it with odor remover and germ killer spray. They usually come in the same product so buy one of them from the store. After spraying it, gently replace it and turn on the car to test the AC systems.

What Not to Do

During the cleaning process, do not use any cleaning accessories like cleaning brushes or anything like that. The air conditioner filter are one of the delicate parts of the AC system and can be damaged easily. Also avoid using any detergents. Do not wash with water in order to clean it. Washing with water has higher risks of damaging the air conditioner filter and the filter needs to be air dried without any other drying systems which can take a lot of your precious time.

Besides cleaning the filter, also clean the vents of the AC systems of your car with an AC cleaner so that you can get the most out of the air conditioning systems of your car

How Long Does an Air Filter Last?

Every internal combustion engine needs air in order to work. Without it, fuel does not burn and provide the force needed to deliver power to the engine. Additionally, the air has to be clean. Otherwise, dust and debris will foul the engine, reducing performance, wearing down metal components, and shortening the life of your car. When the engine fails to get enough air, more strain is placed upon it.

This is where your car’s air filter comes in. From the time you start your car until the moment you turn it off, your air filter is always working. It delivers the correct amount of air to the engine, and traps the dirt that can harm the engine. However, even the finest air filter is only going to do its job for so long. So, how do you know when you should change the air filter?

It depends a great deal on your driving conditions. If you do a lot of “stop and go” city driving, or if you spend a lot of time exploring dirt roads, you will probably have to replace the air filter more frequently than someone who drives infrequently, and usually on pavement.

Your air filter should be changed about every 6,000 to 10,000 miles, and ideally at the same time you change your oil. At the very least, you should have it inspected. Simply stated, it doesn’t cost anything to take a look, and you could avoid expensive repairs later on.

Regardless of these guidelines, given that air filters can wear out at different rates, you should be aware of symptoms that indicate the air filter is coming to the end of its life. Signs that your air filter needs to be replaced include:

• A significant decrease in gas mileage
• Ignition problems, slow starting or failure to start
• Engine misfiring
• Engine idles rough
• Service Engine Light is on

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should look to have your air filter replaced.

Common Signs of a Dirty Air Filter

A car air filter cleans the air entering the engine. Signs of a dirty air filter include a misfiring engine, unusual noises, and reduced fuel economy.

A car engine combines air and gasoline in the combustion chamber to create power. This air reaches the engine through an air filter that works to keep out road debris, dirt, bugs, and other contaminants that can damage the engine. At the same time, the air filter must allow enough air to reach the engine so that it can perform effectively. Over time, the air filter can become dirty and clogged, and the lack of air can affect the overall performance of your car.

Most auto companies recommend that you change the air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or every 12 months. However, if you typically drive in dusty or rural areas like Scottsdale, Arizona, or San Antonio, Texas, you might want to have your mechanic check and change it more frequently, such as every 6,000 miles. Driving in crowded areas where there is heavy traffic – including Los Angeles and Washington D.C. – and you need to stop and start more often also requires you to replace the air filter more frequently.

Make note of these symptoms that indicate your air filter needs replacing:

Reduced fuel economy

Your engine compensates for lower amounts of oxygen by consuming more fuel to produce sufficient power. Thus, if you notice that your fuel economy is going down, it could be an indication that the air filter needs replacing. However, this is true only for carbureted cars, most of which were made before 1980. Newer cars with fuel-injected engines have onboard computers which calculate the amount of air taken into the engine, and adjusts the fuel flow accordingly. Therefore, the cleanliness of the air filter on newer cars shouldn't significantly affect fuel economy.

Misfiring engine

Restricted air supply from a dirty air filter results in unburnt fuel exiting the engine in the form of soot residue. This soot accumulates on the spark plug, which in turn cannot deliver the necessary spark to combust the air-fuel mixture. You’ll notice that the engine does not start up easily, misfires, or jerks roughly.

Unusual engine sounds

In normal circumstances, when your car is stationary with the engine turned on, you should sense the smooth rotation of the engine in the form of subtle vibrations. If you notice your car vibrating excessively or hear a coughing or popping sound, it is often due to a dirty or damaged spark plug resulting from a clogged air filter.

Check Engine Light comes on

Many modern engines suck up about 10,000 gallons of air for every single gallon of fuel burned in the combustion cycle. Inadequate air supply can result in carbon deposits accumulating in the engine which may set off the Check Engine Light. If that happens, have your mechanic check the air filter among other diagnostics.

Air filter appears dirty

A clean air filter appears white or off white in color, but as it accumulates dust and dirt, it will look darker in color. However, very often, the inner layers of filter paper inside the air filter might have dust and debris that is not visible even in bright light. Therefore, it is essential that you have your mechanic check the air filter when you take the car for maintenance. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding replacement.

Reduced horsepower

If your car does not respond adequately or if you notice jerking movements when you press the accelerator, this could indicate that your engine is not receiving all the air it needs to perform. Replacing your air filter can improve acceleration or horsepower by up to 11%.

Black sooty smoke or flames exiting the exhaust

An inadequate air supply can result in some of the fuel not burning completely in the combustion cycle. This unburnt fuel then exits the car through the exhaust pipe. If you see black smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, have your mechanic replace or clean the air filter. You might also hear popping sounds or see a flame at the end of the exhaust. This happens when the heat in the exhaust system ignites unburnt fuel near the tailpipe. This is a potentially hazardous condition and needs to be diagnosed right away.

Smell of gasoline when starting the car

If there isn’t enough oxygen entering the carburetor or fuel ejection system when you start the car, the excess unburnt fuel exits the car through the exhaust pipe. That’s when you’ll smell the gasoline and know that it’s time to replace the air filter.

Do It Yourself (DIY) Tips: How To Change Your Air Filter

Any part of the car that takes in fluids or air from the environment should have a way of separating the good from the bad, of taking in only what benefits the mechanism and leaving the rest behind. This is why cars have air filters and fuel filters. True, they require regular looking after but this is one of the simplest and least expensive — and most important — maintenance procedures you can perform for your car. Changing your car's filters on a regular basis can have a significant impact on engine life and performance.

We'd like to walk you through a basic filter change. It doesn't take long, saves you money, and sends your car down the road refreshed and renewed. A clogged air or fuel filter can cause poor performance, poor fuel mileage and reduced engine life. This simple procedure guards against that.

How often should you do this? Check your owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommended intervals. If the manual's not available, a good rule of thumb is: air filter replacement every 12 months or 12,000 miles (whichever comes first); fuel filter replacement every 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first).

Changing the Air Filter

If nothing else, learn how to change your own air filter. It's quick and easy and saves you money.

Steps for changing the air filter
1. Pop the hood and gather your tools
2. Locate the air filter
3. Open the air filter casing
4. Pull out the air filter
5. Inspect the air filter
6. Install the new air filter

Pop the hood and gather your tools
First, park your car in the shade and pop the hood. Prop it up so it doesn't bang you in the head, then let the engine cool for a few minutes.

While it's cooling, go get your tools. You'll need very few for this procedure — grab a butter knife, two medium-sized screwdrivers, one standard and one Phillips, and head back to the car.

Locate the air filter
The air filter is typically enclosed in a black plastic casing near the center-top of the engine (sometimes, however, it will be off to the side). It should be the largest non-metal assembly you see, about the size of a breadbox. Find it? Good. Now, open it.

Open the air filter casing
How? Well, most of them are held together by a couple of large metal clips on the side. Slide the butter knife or flat-headed screwdriver between the casing and the clip and then pry the clip away. Continue around the case's perimeter, loosening all the retaining clips which should allow you to open the case up. Occasionally you'll find an air filter housing that's held together with several long screws, in which case you'll have to unscrew them to get at the filter.

Should you own an older car (especially an American one) or truck, it might have a circular air filter (that's shaped like a big donut) located under a likewise circular metal housing sitting right on top of the engine. These are usually accessed via a simple, single wing nut atop the cleaner.

Anyway, crack it open and you'll find the air filter inside. It's usually white, bright yellow, orange or red, the better to see the collected dirt.

Pull out the air filter
Pull out the filter — it's typically flat and/or elongated, and is made of a paper element with rubber edges to seal it against the casing.

Inspect the air filter
Next, check it for cleanliness. Hold it up to the sunlight and (while keeping it at arm's length from your face) bend it back, so the paper ridges of the filter flutter like the pages of a book, and look inside the crevices. Do you see a lot of accumulated dirt and grime? Now look at it straight on. Is the orange or yellow paper mostly dirty in the center? If so, then you should replace it.

Install the new air filter
Close up the casing and put the old air filter in a plastic bag. You're going to want to bring it with you to the AutoFactorNG to compare old with new and make sure you get the right replacement. Toss it in the car and go clean up. By the way, it's okay to drive a car short distances without an air filter (something you can't do with a missing fuel filter).

Here's what you need to buy at the AutoFactorNG:

• New air filter
• New fuel filter
• New gasket(s) for the fuel filter — they normally come with them, but ask to be sure

When you get back home install the new air filter. Seal it up and you're done.

Fuel Filter Replacement

Steps for changing the fuel filter
1. Find the air filter
2. Extinguish any smoking materials
3. Remove any plastic coverings
4. Locate the fuel line
5. Plug the fuel line
6. Remove the old fuel filter
7. Install the new fuel filter
8. Check if you need to replace the hoses
9. Run the engine and confirm that no fuel is leaking

Find the air filter
This is a little tougher than replacing an air filter, since finding the thing can be half the battle. It's typically located near the top-center of the engine, close to the air filter, although sometimes, with more modern cars, it's actually built into the fuel tank and is a job best suited to your mechanic.

Extinguish any smoking materials
First, if you value your life, extinguish any smoking materials while doing this procedure.

Remove any plastic coverings
Second, for better access, remove any oversized, plastic coverings from the top of the engine. They usually come off with a large, flat-head screwdriver.

Locate the fuel line
Now search for the fuel line, which comes from the rear of the car. It's about the same diameter as a finger, and will be soft and pliant at this location, not a hard metal shaft. It will come into the fuel filter from the rear of the vehicle.

Plug the fuel line
Find it? Okay, now grab a couple of # 2 pencils. You'll also need several different sized screwdrivers, both flat-head and Phillips, and a small ratchet set.

The fuel line will normally be secured to the fuel filter with a little clamp. Work it off with a screwdriver — usually a Phillips — and then jam the pointed end of a pencil into the free end to keep gasoline from spilling out. You may need a larger diameter object than a pencil, so you'll have to be resourceful here, since we don't know what you have lying around in your junk drawer at home.

Remove the old fuel filter
After you've plugged the fuel line, you can remove the fuel filter. It's normally secured with a couple small bolts. Find the right-sized socket and remove the filter. It will also have a hose coming off the other end (this goes to the engine), so remove this one the same way you did the other one, and plug it with another pencil.

Compare the new filter with the old filter, and make sure you position it in the same way, so that the fuel is flowing in the right way. Sometimes there's an arrow on the filter showing you which direction the fuel flows.

Install the new fuel filter
Put the assembly together in the reverse order that you used to take it apart. Before you do, though, take a quick look at the new filter.

You'll note that there two metal (or plastic) shafts coming off the filter where the hoses attach. They have little nubs or ridges near the ends. Make sure to slide the rubberized lines onto the filter as far past the nubs as you can get them.

Also, pay special attention to the clamps on either end of the filter. Position them between the nubs and the body of the filter. Then get them snugged down good and tight (but not so tight as to strip the screw), to prevent leakage.

Check if you need to replace the hoses
One last thing. If the hoses are getting brittle and frayed, make a mental note to buy some new hoses next time you change your filter. If they're really bad, replace them now.

Run the engine and confirm that no fuel is leaking
After you have everything reassembled and secure, run the engine for a few minutes. Inspect the hoses and connections to make sure no fuel is leaking.

That's it!

Remember, next to changing your oil and oil filter, replacing your air and fuel filters on a regular basis is the single most important act of maintenance you can perform for your engine. Do it and your engine will thank you by giving you many thousands of trouble-free miles.