Dirty or damaged air filters can reduce airflow to the engine, changing the car's air-fuel balance and leading to a variety of issues. This imbalance can contaminate the spark plugs and cause the engine to stop working or to idle abruptly, increase engine stools and cause the “service engine” light to come on. How often the engine air filter will need to be replaced varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle. For most Chevrolet engines, for example, the recommended change interval is every 45,000 miles, but Ford says it should be done every 30,000 miles on many of its engines.
Hyundai also says every 30,000 miles, but reduces it to 15,000 for “severe driving conditions”, including heavy traffic in hot weather and frequent driving on unpaved roads or in dusty conditions. These rules will apply to other brands as well. If you drive in those conditions, it will often be necessary to replace the air filter sooner. Generally, most air filter manufacturers and HVAC companies recommend changing the air filter every 90 days or 3 months. This may change depending on the location of your home (e.g.
Dusty and dry climates), if you have pets, and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets at home, you should consider changing the filter every 60 days or 2 months, and in the case of households with several pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, we recommend that you change the filter every 20 to 45 days. Usually, vacation homes or empty houses that aren't used much can wait to change filters every 9 to 12 months. The general consensus is that the more you use your home, the more you'll need to change your air filter. By changing your car's air filters, you help extend the life of the engine.
This is because the air filter is designed to trap dirt and debris that causes damage to internal parts of the engine, such as cylinders and pistons. Your home's air quality plays an important role in your health. If you don't change the air filters in your house, you increase the risk of getting sick in your home. If you notice a reduction in air flow inside your temperature control system, it's a sign that you need a new air filter. Knowing some of the telltale signs of a dirty or clogged filter can prevent you from waiting too long to replace it. If you're coughing or crackling, or if you vibrate excessively when you flip the engine, you'll most likely need a new air filter.
Over time, as dust and dirt build up, the air filter will darken and dirt will be noticeable. As the air filter becomes clogged, it is more difficult for the air conditioner to push cold air through the filter. Because every vehicle differs in when air filters need to be replaced, check with the manufacturer to be sure. While replacing air filters is part of the preventive maintenance of your HVAC system, it's not the only thing you can do to take care of your system. The filter prevents dirt, dust and pet hair from entering the air ducts and returning to the house, reducing air quality.
The air filter has a rectangular shape and is enclosed in a rectangular black plastic housing that usually has clips or screws that keep it closed. All Temperature Air recommends changing your air filter regularly to keep your home and HVAC system running smoothly. In fact, replacing a dirty cabin air filter regularly can increase fuel consumption by 15%. An air filter is one of the least expensive maintenance components to replace, and you can do it yourself. You're going to have to drive a lot with stops and starts, which places more demands on your car and will also cause the air filter to get dirty faster. It is not used to purify the air you breathe but rather protect sensitive components of your air conditioning system.
The only type of filters that capture allergens and spores are HEPA (high-energy particulate) filters.
