A dirty air filter can have a significant impact on your car's performance, fuel consumption, and even your home's air quality. Replacing the air filter regularly is an easy and affordable way to keep your car running smoothly and your home comfortable. A dirty air filter reduces the amount of clean air reaching the engine, reducing its power and performance. This can lead to a lack of acceleration, increased fuel consumption, and even engine suffocation or overheating.
The decreased airflow can also cause hot and cold spots in your home, making it difficult to achieve the desired indoor temperature. Replacing or cleaning your air filter regularly before it becomes a dirty air filter is one of the most important steps you can take to keep your car and HVAC system in perfect condition. A dirty air filter causes the entire unit to work harder than normal and use more energy to cool your home. There are at least five benefits of changing your air filter regularly: better gasoline performance, reduced emissions, improved acceleration, longer engine life, and overall improved driving.
For newer models, some “performance” air filters can only make a negligible difference. An air cleaner is one of the most economical maintenance components to replace, and you can do it yourself. In newer fuel-injected cars, the air filter is usually located near the top front or side of the engine, next to the throttle body. Replacing air filters is an easy and affordable step you can take compared to the cost of repairing or possibly replacing your HVAC system.