5 Air Filter Maintenance Tips to Protect Your Engine

• Posted on Autos.com Editor
• in Car Maintenance
• on October 7, 2013

Air filter maintenance is extremely important if you want to let your vehicle’s engine work in the optimum manner. Many car owners often complain about hard starting of the car and power loss, and this is mainly due to the problem with air filters. What the air filtration system in your vehicle does is clean the outside air that comes into the vehicle prior to getting burned with the vehicle’s fuel. If the air that comes into the vehicle from the outside is not clean, it will cause your engine to become damaged.  Below are few tips to maintain the filter system:   
 

1. Check your Air Filter Often: Unlike in the summer time, the vehicle’s air filter often gets clogged with debris and salt. If the air filter gets clogged, it will affect your engine and thus not be able to work at the correct temperature. An air filter replacement can be an option in this case if you have a light vehicle. This can improve your vehicle’s performance by approximately 10%.
2. Replace Air Filter: It is recommended that you change your air filter after every 12,000 miles under general conditions, such as driving on clean roads under moderate temperatures. If you are living in a place which has very high temperature or has bad roads, then you may need to replace the air filter sooner than 12,000 miles. This is due to the fact that the filter may get clogged earlier. This can be easily determined by a quick inspection. For frequent replacements, you can opt for disposable air filters. However, if you only use your vehicle occasionally or for short drives, then you may only need to replace the filter system every two to three years.  
3. Clean Filter: If you find your air filter is not extremely dirty with salt and debris, then you can clean it yourself. You must clean each element with a cleaning solvent and wash it with warm soapy water to get all of the dirt out. While cleaning, you need to ensure that solvent is not left on any part of the filter. Also, make sure you do not wring out the filter, because this may cause it to crack. Also check there are no rips, tears, or cracks. If there is any damage, then you will have to replace the filter. 
4. Oil Elements: Oiling the air filter elements is very important for smooth functioning of the filter system. While oiling, it is suggested not to oil the elements until they are thoroughly dry. Moisture will rot the filter when it is trapped in the foam. Also, note the cleaning solvent has to be completely removed, and the filter is thoroughly and completely dry.  
5. Check Gas Stations: Try to get gas filled from those stations which have fuel filters available. These fuel filters filter the fuel one extra time before it gets into your tank. The filtration process will prevent extra debris and dirt from entering the air filter, and thus prevent the air filter system from early decaying.