Let’s talk about filter maintenance for your automobile. Replacing dirty filters is as important as the rest of the preventative maintenance listed in your owner’s manual. Integrity Auto Repair advises that dirty filters can affect your engine’s performance, reduce your fuel mileage, and, in some cases, damage the engine or transmission. We are going to list the five automotive filters below and include their generally recommended maintenance intervals for your information.
Air
The air filter in the engine needs to be changed every 12,000 miles. If you do not drive 12,000 miles in one year, have the air filter changed annually. The air filter cleans the air that comes into the engine from the outside. This air is used in the combustion chamber for engine combustion. A clogged air filter can affect your gas mileage because it will affect your engine’s performance.
Cabin
Not every car, truck, or C/SUV is equipped with a cabin air filter. Some have nets that purify the passenger cabin air. You can check your owner’s manual to see if your automobile has a cabin air filter located behind the glove box. If it does, the general recommendation for changing the filter is every 30,000 miles. A dirty cabin air filter can make you sick while you drive your automobile.
Fuel
Another filter that needs to be changed every 30,000 miles is the fuel filter. You are a low-mileage driver, change the fuel filter every two years. This filter cleans the fuel so that it is free of dirt and sediment when it is burned in the combustion chamber. A clogged fuel filter can affect your engine’s performance and reduce your gas mileage.
Oil
A clogged and dirty oil filter can damage your engine beyond repair. This is one reason why it is crucial that you have your oil changed every 3,000 miles. A new oil filter is part of this service. The oil filter cleans the oil after it has circulated through the engine. This prevents dirty oil from circulating through the engine and damaging it.
Transmission
Finally, your automobile may or may not have a transmission filter. You can find out if it does by checking your owner’s manual. The transmission filter needs to be changed with the transmission fluid. The general recommendation for this service is every 30,000 miles. A clogged and dirty transmission filter can cause damage to the transmission.
Call Integrity Auto Repair in Eugene, OR, today to schedule a filter inspection for your automobile. We will check all of the filters and replace the ones that are dirty or clogged.
