Your engine air filter plays a key role in keeping your car in peak running condition, but when things go wrong or you just need a replacement, our expert team of certified technicians is always here to help.
So, whether you need an air filter replacement now or just want to learn more about why air filters are so important, here is everything you need to know.
What Does an Engine Filter Do?
Air is an essential ingredient that is necessary for any internal combustion engine to work, including the one in your car. However, while air is seemingly everywhere, perfectly clean air is hard to come by, especially when you’re out on the road. This is where the engine air filter comes in.
Engine air filters perform the vital function of removing any and all contaminants in the air to prevent them from entering the engine and causing problems. From pollen and dust to dirt, sand, and any other debris, contaminants can wreak havoc on an engine, making the air filter the first line of defence your engine has to keep things running as smoothly as possible.
Why Replacing Your Engine Air Filter Matters
Engine air filters, just like any other type of filter, don’t last forever. Eventually, they will get clogged up with all of the contaminants that they filter out, preventing enough air from entering the engine while also potentially allowing new contaminants to slip through.
This can create a lot of problems, from losses in horsepower and fuel efficiency to potentially causing costly and completely avoidable damage to the engine. Thankfully, changing your old, dirty filter can immediately boost horsepower and fuel economy back up where it should be. However, it won’t fix any potential damage to the engine, making regularly replacing your engine air filters something that you simply can’t afford to ignore.
How Often Should You Replace Your Air Filter?
Now that you know why regular engine air filter replacements are so important, you’re probably wondering just how often you should replace them.
Most manufacturers recommend that you replace your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, but there are quite a few different variables that may shorten an air filter’s lifespan.
Factors like the conditions of the roads you normally drive on, climate, and how often and far you drive can all affect how long your filter may be effective. Even something as simple as taking a dirt road or driving through construction zones with lots of dust and dirt in the air can cause filters to clog up a lot faster.
Still, if you have normal driving habits and aren’t constantly driving through sandstorms, you’ll most likely be ok waiting until you’ve hit at least 12,000 miles.
Signs Your Engine Air Filter Needs Replacement
Even if you haven’t been keeping track of mileage, there are still plenty of ways that you can figure out whether or not you need a replacement air filter.
While many of these symptoms may be subtle, here are some signs to look out for.
- Reduced fuel efficiency
- Difficulty accelerating
- Odd engine noises
- Visibly dirty or clogged filter
- Your check engine light comes on
If you notice that you’re experiencing any of these symptoms while driving, you should go to a professional mechanic for an inspection and potential air filter replacement as soon as you have the time.
Why Choose Welsh Automotive for Air Filter Replacement in West Chester, PA?
Choosing a technician to replace your engine’s air filter is a big deal. While you likely have plenty of options to choose from, you need to be able to trust that the garage you choose will get the job done right.
Here at Welsh Automotive, we’ve spent years building our reputation for providing high-quality maintenance and repair services.
We know how nerve-racking it can be to hand your vehicle over to someone else, but with decades of combined experience, competitive pricing, an exceptional customer service experience, and countless happy customers all over the West Chester area, you can trust that our team has you back no matter what.
What To Expect During Your Air Filter Replacement
We take great pride in being able to provide flexible scheduling and quick and efficient service that makes replacing your air filter as seamless and convenient as can be.
Most air filter replacement appointments require only a few minutes of your time, and we’ll always do everything we can to ensure that we never keep you waiting for long. Here is what you can expect our process to look like:
- We inspect your existing filter and surrounding engine components.
- We install a new high-quality air filter.
- Our team will perform a quick check to ensure the new filter is secure and functioning properly.
- We provide suggestions and guidance about general maintenance and potential problems.
- We offer a simple maintenance reminder for your next visit.
Regardless of whether you just need a new filter or have more complicated automotive needs, you can rest easy knowing that we’ll always keep you well informed about all your vehicle’s maintenance needs.
Schedule Your Air Filter Replacement at Welsh Automotive Today
Are you ready to schedule your next air filter replacement? Are you looking for a West Chester mechanic that you can trust to get the job done right? Give us a call at (610) 524-5437.
Our friendly team of local automotive experts is always here to answer your questions and will happily help you schedule your next air filter replacement at a time that’s convenient for you. We’ll even offer you any of the other maintenance and repair services that you may need to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape.
Don’t push off your next air filter replacement until it’s too late. Contact Welsh Automotive and schedule your next appointment today!