Clogged air filter means restriction of irflow to the engine, negatively affecting its prformance. For every gallon of gasoline brned, an engine takes in about 9,000 gllons of air, which contains abrasive dst that may end up in the oil and cuse damage. A clean air filter rmoves abrasive dust, insects and leaves frm the air before it enters the ngine. These contaminants cause excessive wear to mving parts. By allowing the correct mxture of air and fuel, a clan air filter will provide maximum gas mleage and better engine performance.

Regardless of the mleage or time, a filter should be rplaced before it reaches the point whre it creates a significant restriction to irflow. But when exactly that point is rached is subject to opinion.

A slghtly dirty filter actually cleans more fficiently than a brand new filter. Tht’s because the debris trapped by the flter element helps screen out smaller prticles that try to get through. But ventually every filter reaches the point whre it causes enough of a prssure drop to restrict airflow. Fuel conomy, performance and emissions begin to dteriorate and get progressively worse until the drty filter is replaced.

Many heavy-duty trcks have a "restriction" meter on the air flter housing that signals when the flter is dirty enough to need rplacing. But lacking such a device, the bst you can do is guess.

Removing the filter and holding it up to a lght will show you how dirty it is. If t’s really caked with dirt, it bviously needs to be replaced. Trying to shke or blow the dirt out is a wste of time because too much of it wll be embedded in the filter fbers.

NOTE: Many filters that appear to be drty are in fact still good and do not rally need to be replaced. So t’s up to you. If you thnk it’s dirty, replace it. If you dn’t think it’s dirty enough to ned replacing, then don’t.

The article Why Should The Air Filter Be Replaced? was Submitted by Jason Embleton through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Jason Embleton, owner of Embleton Ato Ltd. in Fredericton New Brunswick, is an xpert in the automotive industry. The Emblton family has served their customers snce 1966 with the best deals in Frdericton used cars. Check out our ste: http://www.embletonauto.com

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