One of the most common automotive repairs for car owners involves replacing the old air filter with a new one. Your air filter delivers clean air to your engine. If enough air doesn’t get to your engine, it won’t perform well over time. If you don’t replace your old air filter with a clean one regularly, you run the risk of needing heavy-duty automotive repairs. Changing your air filter is a very minor automotive repair, but it can save you a lot of time and money in the future. In today’s blog post, Crossroads Ford Lincoln will take an in-depth look at how often you should replace your air filter. 

What Is an Air Filter and Why Is It Important?

For all fuel-burning engines to function, they need constant airflow. Your air filter makes sure your engine receives clean air instead of air with dust and dirt in it. This keeps your engine clean while also giving it the air it needs for combustion in the ignition chamber. An air filter helps prevent any potential dirt build-up. Air filters help to extend the life of your engine and prevent the need for more expensive automotive repairs. They are also inexpensive and easy to replace. Many car owners bypass the shop altogether and replace them at home. 

How Often Should You Change an Air Filter?

For years, the answer to this question has varied. The one thing all automotive repair experts agree on is that you need to change your car’s air filter regularly. Most auto mechanics suggest you replace the air filter between 15,000 and 45,000 miles, depending on the type of car, type of engine, and the driving conditions. That is a pretty broad starting point for car owners, especially without any vehicle maintenance experience. The first thing you should do is check to see if your vehicle manufacturer gives you a specific mile marker to change. For instance, most Ford engines recommend a change every 30,000 miles, while Chevy recommends a change every 45,000 miles.

What Happens If You Don’t Change the Air Filter?

If you don’t change your air filter before 45,000 miles, depending on the vehicle, your engine begins to take in unfiltered air. Gas will not ignite as easily or as strongly due to the lack of high-quality air. This, in turn, decreases your engine’s power and makes it run less efficiently. Over the long term, enough debris from a dirty air filter can damage your engine’s internal components and parts. 

Contact Crossroads Ford Lincoln for Automotive Repair Help

Check with your manufacturer to see how often you need to change your air filter. You can find this information in the owner’s manual for your car. Regardless of when you need to change it, keeping your air filter fresh is one crucial step to avoiding costly automotive repairs. If you need automotive repair, Crossroads Ford Lincoln can help. Call at (502) 695-1990 or contact us online for more details.