Air filters are crucial for vehicles and equipment. They mainly filter out dust, impurities, pollen and other dirty things in the air to ensure that the engine and ourselves can breathe clean air. But if it is used for a long time or is blocked or broken, this thing will not work. At this time, the car may not drive so smoothly, and it may even affect our health. Therefore, you must know the signs of air filter failure, find the problem early, and solve it quickly. This matter cannot be sloppy.

1. Common "signal lights" of air filter failure

The engine "can't get up"-power reduction

You may notice that when you step on the accelerator, the car's acceleration becomes sluggish, and sometimes even powerless. This "power loss" phenomenon may be a problem with the air filter! When the air filter is blocked, airflow to the engine is restricted, preventing it from receiving enough oxygen. This affects combustion efficiency and leads to a loss of power. If you notice your car lacking performance on the road, it might be a sign that the air filter is "failing."

Fuel consumption "soars" - fuel costs increase

A clogged air filter reduces the engine’s combustion efficiency by limiting its ability to intake fresh air, preventing complete fuel combustion. To compensate for this, the engine consumes more fuel to keep running normally, leading to a notable increase in fuel consumption. Have you noticed that the recent fuel costs seem to be much higher than usual? This may be the "pot" of the air filter.

Difficulty in starting the engine - I can't begin it anyway

Every time I start the engine cold, it always fails to start, and it even takes several attempts to start it. This is a "warning" signal of a clogged air filter. When the filter is dirty and clogged, airflow is blocked, and the engine cannot get enough oxygen, resulting in difficulty in starting. If you find that starting becomes "extraordinarily difficult", be sure to check the air filter.

Unexplained noises from the engine - constant abnormal noises

Generally speaking, the air filter should operate quietly and silently. If you suddenly hear strange noises from the engine, especially obvious "creaking" sounds or irregular vibrations, it may be that too much dust and particulate matter has accumulated in the air filter, affecting air circulation and causing engine abnormalities. At this time, you have to be careful, this is likely to be the air filter "getting angry".

"Stuck" during acceleration - acceleration is not smooth

When driving on the highway, if you have ever felt that the vehicle has no power to accelerate after the accelerator is pressed, this may be related to the condition of the air filter. The blocked air filter will limit the inflow of air, which will cause the engine to be unable to obtain the necessary amount of air to increase power, and finally cause the phenomenon of instability during acceleration.

The air in the car is not fresh - smelling a strange smell

If the air quality in the vehicle declines, it may become musty or unpleasant, especially when the air conditioner is on. The air filter may be related. The filter not only protects the engine, but also is responsible for refreshing the air in the car. Once damaged, it will significantly reduce the air quality in the vehicle and cause discomfort.

2. How to deal with air filter failure?

Regular inspection to maintain "vitality"

As an essential and replaceable part of the system, regularly inspecting and replacing the air filter is key to maintaining optimal performance. It is generally recommended to check it every 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers, especially in dusty driving environments.

Clean in time and keep it unobstructed

For clean air filters, regular cleaning is a good idea. Some filters are designed to be flushed, and the blocked dust and impurities can be washed away to restore performance. But be careful when cleaning, don't wash too hard, otherwise it is easy to damage the filter.

Choose high-quality products to ensure a filtering effect

When choosing an air filter, don't save money. Buy a big brand, which has better performance and lasts longer. A good filter can more effectively filter out harmful substances such as dust and pollen, which not only makes the engine work better, but also allows you to breathe fresher air.

Replace in time to avoid "delay"

If the air filter is damaged or severely blocked, it should be replaced quickly. Continuing to use unqualified filters will hurt engine performance, and even cause internal damage and increase maintenance costs. Replace the filter in time to keep the vehicle in the best condition.

Regular maintenance to extend service life

To make the air filter last longer, regular inspection is not enough, and other maintenance must also keep up. For example, check whether there is any leakage in the air system to ensure smooth air circulation; and keep the engine running well. These methods can make the air filter last longer.

3. Summary: Protect your car and health

The air filter is crucial for the vehicle. It is directly related to the performance of the engine and our health. If there is a problem with the filter, the power, fuel consumption, and acceleration will be affected, and even the air in the car will worsen. So, regular inspections, timely replacements, and choosing a suitable filter is what every car owner should do. This will not only ensure engine performance, but also allow everyone to travel healthily and make every journey more comfortable.