Description: The typical air filter is a disposable, pleated-paper element with a sealing gasket made of
synthetic material. Filters come in two main types: the panel style as used on most fuel-injected cars
and the radial style, which is usually used on carbureted vehicles.
Purpose: The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons
and piston rings. The air filter also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor (some
fuel-injected cars) and sometimes in cleaning the air that enters the crankcase for crankcase ventilation.
The air filter also serves as a silencer for your car's intake system. Your car's engine can use more than
10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so it's easy to see how big a job the air filter has.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Although your car's owner's manual may specify an inspection interval
for the air filter, it's really best that it be checked at every oil change. Dirty and dusty driving conditions will
require more frequent filter replacements, so keep this in mind. Driving with a dirty filter restricts the air
entering the engine, and if severe, can impact fuel economy and performance.
synthetic material. Filters come in two main types: the panel style as used on most fuel-injected cars
and the radial style, which is usually used on carbureted vehicles.
Purpose: The air filter traps dirt particles, which can cause damage to engine cylinders, walls, pistons
and piston rings. The air filter also plays a role in keeping contaminants off the airflow sensor (some
fuel-injected cars) and sometimes in cleaning the air that enters the crankcase for crankcase ventilation.
The air filter also serves as a silencer for your car's intake system. Your car's engine can use more than
10,000 gallons of air for every gallon of fuel burned, so it's easy to see how big a job the air filter has.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Although your car's owner's manual may specify an inspection interval
for the air filter, it's really best that it be checked at every oil change. Dirty and dusty driving conditions will
require more frequent filter replacements, so keep this in mind. Driving with a dirty filter restricts the air
entering the engine, and if severe, can impact fuel economy and performance.
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