When was the last time you swapped out your car's engine air filter? A lot of drivers are skeptical when we suggest this service - they've had experiences at other mechanics where this car care was unnecessarily recommended in order to get the final bill higher, so now they refuse to hear us out when their car is due for it. Well, believe it or not, the engine air filter does need to be changed from time to time throughout your car's life and our Clermont auto service center is here to give you the facts behind it.
What does this car part do in your Clermont Toyota?
When you start your car, your engine pulls in air to mix it with fuel; it then ignites this mixture to get your car up and running. Your engine air filter plays a crucial role in this process because as the engine sucks in air, the filter prevents any dirt or debris from coming into the engine with the air. If you didn't have an air filter in place, you could face expensive auto repairs from debris damaging your car engine.
Obviously, it plays an important role. But just like any other car part, it does get dirty as you use it and it also wears out over time just due to normal wear and tear. That's why yes, over the course of your car's life, you will have to replace it. You don't have to replace it often, though. Some drivers think once a year is sufficient, but you should actually base engine air filter replacement on mileage. After all, different drivers rack up different amounts of mileage in a year. A safe bet is to replace your car engine air filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles to ensure maximum performance without issues.
What happens if your air filter gets too dirty?
What will happen if you don't replace it, though? It can lead to pretty serious (and costly) consequences in the long run. Here are some of the problems you may experience if you don't swap out your air filter as needed:
- Performance problems. If your engine air filter becomes too clogged or dirty, your engine won't be able to pull in the right amount of air. This results in throwing off the fuel/air mixture and can cause lowered fuel efficiency, misfiring, stalling, and even reduced acceleration.
- Engine problems. Your engine air filter WILL wear out over time, just like any other car part. If you leave it long enough, it will actually start to come apart. In this scenario your engine can pull pieces of it in, which can do costly damage and land you with a car in the shop and a hefty repair bill.
Long story short, if your mechanic tells you that you need a new engine air filter every time you visit, you may want to find a new mechanic (and we've got plenty of them at Toyota of Clermont). Otherwise, be sure to schedule this critical car care and also clean your filter in between replacements for the best performance possible.
Schedule your air filter replacement today - call Toyota of Clermont at (352) 404-7001 or stop by 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike!
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