Are expensive air filters worth the cost?

Most of the car owners know the importance of an air filter. But, choosing between an expensive and not so expensive air filter is something not many people are good at. Knowing what impact a good air filter can bring to your car is important and this article will help you understand the basics around air filters. 

What is an air filter?

An air filter is a part of the fuel delivery system in a motor vehicle, which plays a vital role in keeping the engine clean and dirt free. Changing the filter periodically will allow you to keep your vehicle in a perfect working condition. The filter not only offers clean air to the combustion process, but it also assists your vehicle to offer better mileage.

What does an air filter do?

Once you decided to change the air filter, the one question that will strick your mind first is whether to go for an affordable or an expensive one? It all depends on your financial situation and on your personal care for your vehicle. Although both go hand-in-hand, removing dirt and offering clean air to your engine, any branded air filter will offer its services for a longer period, compared to that of a non-branded, inexpensive one.

Whether you are using a cheap or costly air filter both will filter the air as it passes through the choke body through the carburettor of older vehicles or through the ductwork of the newer models. The air will pass through a foam, paper, or cotton filter prior entering the combustion compartments through the ingestion manifold. The air filter assists to remove insects, dirt, and other things from the inward air, keeping such remains out of your vehicle's engine.

Air filters play a vital role in keeping the engine of your vehicle free from clogging by removing rubbish, such as grime, insects, and leaves, thus protecting your vehicle from unforeseen breakdown. You can find the air filter either in the cold air collector box placed to one side of the engine, in case of newer vehicles, or in the circular air cleaner over the carburettor, in case of older vehicles.

Why are expensive and branded air filters better than the inexpensive ones?

The high-quality, expensive air filters not only offer clean air to the engine but they also to you by removing air mould spores, dust allergens, and other pollutants from the air everyone in the car inhale. This, in turn, will improve the health of the air conditioning system of your vehicle.

Longer operating time means usage of more energy and it will cost you extra money. Any expensive and durable air filter will not only increase the lifespan of the engine, but it will also protect you from expensive engine repairs. This means that by making use of the MERV or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value filter recommended by the manufacturer, you will not only improve the performance of the air conditioning system, but you will also enhance the overall performance of your vehicle.

Signs that indicate that its to change the air filter

You are supposed to recognize some clear warnings that you need to change your air filter. If you think to change the filter, you should confirm with a reliable and knowledgeable mechanic. Here are some common signs that will indicate you to change your air filter.

• When you observe an appreciable decline in the gas mileage of your vehicle
• When you come across ignition problems
• When the Check Engine Light illuminates or flashes. This is an indication that there is an increase of debris in the engine deposits
• When you are unable to accelerate your vehicle according to your expectations
• The abnormal noise comes from your engine while you start your vehicle

The finest way to know the time of changing your air filter is consulting a skilled mechanic. He will also suggest you the best air filter available in the market.

When should you change the air filters in your vehicle?

You can get a licensed and experienced mechanic replace the air filter in your vehicle on a range of different schedules. Mostly, the mechanic will examine the air filter when changing the engine oil in your vehicle once it attains a particular level of pollution. You can also change your air filter every year at the time of changing the engine oil or whenever you feel there is an abnormal decrease in the mileage offered by your vehicle.

Conclusion

While shopping for an air filter, you should remember that branded ones will be a bit expensive and will offer a long-lasting performance. On the other hand, inexpensive ones will also do the same work, but they will last for a lesser period when compared to the expensive ones.