Crossroads Automotive advises that filter maintenance is just as important as the rest of the maintenance for your automobile. Changing the filters when they need it keeps the engine performing as it should be. It also helps increase your fuel economy in many cases. Dirty filters will affect your engine’s performance and reduce the gas mileage you get out of your automobile. Let’s talk more about your filters below and when they need to be changed.
Air
The air filter that is located in the engine needs to be changed every 12,000 miles. It’s important to change it annually if you don’t put 12,000 miles on the odometer each year. The air filter cleans the incoming air before it is moved into the combustion chamber. A clogged air filter can make your engine sputter and lag or surge. It will also reduce your fuel economy.
Cabin
The air filter that is located in the passenger cabin needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. We are going to advise that you check your owner’s manual, however, to make sure that your vehicle is equipped with a cabin air filter. If it is, confirm the 30,000-mile changing schedule because this can vary between filter types and vehicle manufacturers.
Fuel
Your car, truck, or utility vehicle is equipped with a fuel filter that cleans the fuel of dirt and sediment two times before it is moved into the combustion chamber. This filter needs to be changed every 30,000 miles. Change it every two years if you don’t put 30,000 miles on your automobile within a two-year time span. A clogged fuel filter will affect your engine’s performance. In fact, if the filter is completely clogged, you may not be able to get your engine started.
Oil
The oil filter is replaced when you have the oil changed in your automobile. Therefore, depending on your oil-change schedule, the filter is changed every 3,000, 5,000, 7,500, or 10,000 miles. It’s important that you have a clean oil filter in your automobile at all times to protect the engine. A dirty filter will release gunk into the engine and damage it.
Transmission
Finally, your automobile could have a filter in the transmission. Check your owner’s manual to confirm this. Generally, as with the oil filter, the transmission filter is changed when you change the transmission fluid, i.e., every 30,000 miles.
Crossroads Automotive in Topeka, KS, is here to take care of your automobile including the filters. Call us today for an appointment for a filter inspection.