Your vehicle’s air filter is its first line of defense, as the air filter is what allows clean air into the engine. Like all machines that use air filters, they slowly become dirty, losing the ability to properly filter the air and allowing contaminants into the engine. A clogged engine has a shortened lifespan and can majorly affect a truck or car’s performance.
The Filter Looks Dirty
The air filter is easy to check visually. It should look white or off-white if in good condition. A clogged or dirty air filter should be changed promptly, as residue could build up on the engine and spark plugs, causing the need for bigger repairs down the line. Luckily, changing the air filter on a car or truck is simple.
Popping Noises or a Vibrating Vehicle
A symptom of an excessively dirty air filter is popping sounds coming from the engine. In some cases, the vehicle may vibrate, which indicates that damage is occurring to a spark plug. If you hear strange sounds, changing the air filter may spare you from having to also replace your spark plugs later. An ounce of prevention is, as they say, worth a pound of cure.
Slow Acceleration
Is your car or truck sluggish when you press the accelerator? This can also be a sign that your engine isn’t getting the clean air it needs. The easiest thing to check when you notice that your vehicle is slow to accelerate is the air filter, a simple change being all that’s needed to fix the problem.
The Check Engine Light is On
While a dirty air filter is just one of multiple things that can cause your check engine light to come on, it’s a simple thing to check for. A mechanic is best qualified to make sure that the air filter is truly the cause, and the only cause, of a check engine light coming on, though.
Misfires, Rough Idling, and Difficulties Starting
An engine misfire can sound like popping, sneezing, or a backfire, and it can be a sign of a clogged air filter. Rough idling and troubles starting the engine can also point to air filter trouble. To extrapolate, these are symptoms that a vehicle’s spark plugs need changing. A dirty air filter can lead to residue on the spark plugs, damaging them. It’s a classic example of neglecting a simple bit of maintenance that snowballs into a larger problem down the line.
Poor Gas Efficiency
Mostly a symptom in older vehicles, a loss of gas mileage is an indicator of a clogged or dirty air filter. The carburetor in a car or truck mixes the fuel and air into the proper ratio for combustion, so when your engine isn’t getting good air, it’ll try to compensate by using more gasoline. Newer vehicles don’t do this, however, as they use an onboard computer to achieve what older carburetors used to do, so not seeing this symptom doesn’t necessarily mean that your filter is in good condition.
Excessive Exhaust Fumes
If you have excessive exhaust fumes, especially in the form of black smoke or even flames, shooting from the tailpipe, this means the gas isn’t burning completely. It’s a sign of a damaged engine, sometimes caused by a dirty air filter. Residue can damage the cylinders and pistons, too.
Preventing Problems
The easiest way to prevent these problems from manifesting is to simply check the air filter. Usually, a driver can examine the air filter on his or her own, or a mechanic can perform a check during your vehicle’s regular maintenance inspection.
Manufacturers vary regarding their recommendations as to how frequently you should change your vehicle’s air filter. Regardless, if you notice a dirty air filter, get it changed to save yourself some costly repairs down the road.