Keep Your Car Breathing Easy in Concord, NH: The Importance of a Clean Engine Air Filter
Your vehicle’s engine needs a lot of air to run – in fact, it takes about twelve thousand gallons of air to burn a single gallon of gas. All that air has to be clean for efficient combustion, which is why the engine air filter is so crucial. If your air filter is clogged with dirt and dust, it can’t trap any more particles. The excess dust will bypass the filter and get sucked into your engine’s intake and combustion chamber. Burning dirt and pollen inside your engine does no good (and can even cause wear or damage), not to mention it chokes off the air your engine needs. A clogged air filter can hurt your car’s performance and fuel economy – replacing a dirty filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10%. In short, a clean air filter helps your engine “breathe” properly, run smoothly, and use fuel efficiently.
How Often Should You Change the Engine Air Filter?
At a minimum, you should follow your manufacturer’s guidelines for air filter replacement. Some automakers recommend changing the engine air filter as often as 15,000 miles under normal conditions. Some vehicles even allow up to ~30,000 or more miles between filter changes in ideal driving environments. However, those long intervals assume you’re driving in very clean, mild conditions – which isn’t always the case in New Hampshire. Most of us drive in “severe” conditions, meaning we need to check and change the filter more frequently. A simple visual inspection by a friendly, Accomplished Auto technician can tell you if your filter is dirty. We’ll show you the filter during routine maintenance – if it’s dark, clogged, or loaded with debris, it’s time for a new one. Don’t wait until it’s completely plugged up; by that time your engine has likely been running inefficiently for a while.
New England Driving = Severe Conditions for Air Filters
Here in Concord and the surrounding areas of New Hampshire, our environment can be tough on air filters. What counts as “severe” conditions? For example, drivers around Concord, Bow, Hopkinton, Henniker, Pembroke, Boscawen, Penacook, Webster, Loudon, and nearby towns often encounter things like:
- Dusty roads and construction – Driving on dirt or gravel roads (or through road construction) kicks up lots of dust that clogs the filter fast.
- Pollen and spring debris – In springtime, the air is filled with pollen and seeds. An excessive amount of pollen blowing around is a recipe for a quickly clogged filter.
- Leaves and pine needles – In late summer and fall, dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris can find their way into your vehicle’s air intake.
- Winter road sand and salt – Winter in New England means sand and salt on the roads. These can turn into fine dust that your engine has to inhale.
- Rodents or pests – It’s not common, but occasionally a mouse might decide to nest in your air filter box (especially if a car is parked for a while). Nesting materials can clog the filter or the critters might even chew the filter itself, leaving gaps for dirt to get through.
All of these factors mean your engine air filter can get dirty much sooner than the “normal” schedule. That’s why we include an air filter check whenever you bring your car in for service. If you frequently drive in dusty conditions, during high-pollen seasons, or on rural back roads, it’s wise to have the filter inspected between scheduled intervals. Keeping a close eye on it will ensure your engine is always breathing clean air.
Breathe Easy – We’ve Got You Covered!
The bottom line is that a clean engine air filter is key to your car’s health and performance. Just like you wouldn’t ignore a filthy furnace filter at home, you don’t want to ignore a dirty air filter in your car. It’s an easy fix that can save you money on gas and prevent potential engine problems. So don’t hesitate to swap out that nasty old filter when it’s needed – your engine will thank you!
Need your air filter checked or changed? At Accomplished Auto LLC in Concord, NH, we’re happy to help you keep your vehicle in top shape. Our team will inspect your engine air filter at each maintenance visit (and show you its condition). If it needs replacing, we’ll get it done and have you back on the road breathing easy. We proudly serve drivers from Concord and surrounding towns, including Bow, Hopkinton, Henniker, Pembroke, Boscawen, Penacook, Webster, and Loudon – helping our community’s cars stay healthy in all seasons. Feel free to schedule a maintenance appointment with us by calling 603-226-6630 or by visiting AccomplishedAuto.com to use our convenient online scheduler. We’ll make sure your car’s air filter (and the rest of your car) is ready for the road ahead!