How to check an air filter

El air filter It is very important in your car since it is in charge of preventing dirt from entering the engine. If it doesn't work properly, debris could get into the engine causing various problems. Therefore, it is important check its status and change it if necessary. A maintenance that is usually done in the workshop during periodic reviews, but that you can do yourself if you know how. Actually, it is one of the simplest operations in the mechanics of a car.

It is recommended to change the air filter when recommended by the manufacturer. No one knows the model in question better than its own brand. However, those times can vary greatly depending on driving conditions. Any mechanic with a minimum of dedication would recommend that you change the filter sooner, if he sees that it is dirtier than normal. So if you are not going to have any professional who tells you, it is better that you take note of the instructions below to do it yourself.

where is the engine air filter

First of all you have to locate the place where the air filter is located inside our car. It is easy to find because it is usually connected to the engine by a large duct that is the one that carries the air. On newer models, it is usually located near the radiator or fender (at the level of the tires). The filter can be rectangular, cylindrical or conical, but in all three cases the treatment that should be given is the same.

Once we have found the location of the air filter, you have to extract it. It is usually encased in a black plastic box to protect it. So to open it you will probably have to release some hooks or use a screwdriver. Once opened, the air filter is easy to remove because it does not usually have complicated fastenings.

How to check if the air filter is dirty

To check the status of the filter The process is very simple. Yes it is rectangular, hold it up and fold it back so that you can see inside the folds as if it were a book. What dirty the filter is everything that prevents the free flow of air to the engine, so if it is very dirty you may have noticed a slight power loss. If the filter is cylindrical or conical, that usually have a much smaller fold, you can check it in the same way, but be careful not to bend anything irretrievably because they are somewhat more delicate.

Air Filter Maintenance

If the filter paper is dirty, pollution gray or dust brown, it's time to change it. Although there are people who lengthen its use a bit by removing part of the dirt. If you do, never wet it with anything. It will be enough for you to give him a few blows against a solid surface. Not against the paper but against the plastic edge. And what is most important of all, always trying to get the dirt out, not towards the part that would give the inside of the engine. Do not abuse this method. We remind you that it is better to change it when indicated by the manufacturer. Place the new filter in the same position as the old one and close the box in which it is located.

What is the air filter and what is it for?

The oxygen found in the air is essential for the combustion of an engine. That is why with each injection of gasoline, the necessary air is allowed to enter to be able to burn it. Now imagine that dirty air entering the combustion chamber. Something he does thousands of times a minute. You just have to take a look at the rev counter to see that it's a good approximation.

The result would be an engine that would be practically unusable in a short time. So it didn't take long for engineers to include a filter to make sure that air came in as clean as possible. And that is why it is also important to change the air filter whenever necessary.

How much

air filters they are a cheap component. It wouldn't be weird if you found it for just 10 or 20 euros in any online store. Of course that price can skyrocket if you have a high-performance premium car, as is the case with many other parts. although that increase is not common.

Also it is important not to skimp when choosing the brand of an air filter, unless you are sure of the quality of the product. In the end, you would only save a few euros and it is better not to be stingy in such a vital component as this.

How long does it last

As we have already mentioned, the most recommended thing is that you follow the instructions of the manufacturer of your car to know when to change it. But if you want to spin finer, we can tell you that it won't hurt to change it sooner if you drive through highly polluted or dusty areas.

a lot of dust

For example, people who always drive on dirt roads in a caravan, typical of getaways off-road in a group, they have to watch their air filter continuously, unless they always go first. As you can deduce, if you go by system behind a vehicle that raises a trail of dust all the way, the filter will have to work a lot and it will even end up clogged.

A lot of pollution

Another situation in which to be aware of the air filter is if you drive daily in traffic jams. It is not as critical a situation as the one mentioned before, but it will require you to be more vigilant and even have to change it ahead of time.