Are you experiencing a lack of power in your car, higher gas bills, gasoline smell when starting the engine, flames or black smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, and the engine check light coming on? If so, it may be time to replace your air filter. The most obvious sign that it needs to be changed is if the filter is gray and dirty. To check, take out the air filter and take a look at it at least once every two months. If it looks dark and dirty, it's time to change it.
HVAC filters can also be checked for dirtiness. A clean filter will be mostly white, but will darken as dust and dirt builds up. If the filter looks very dark and dirty, it's time to change it. If you're not sure, ask a technician to check the filters for you.
Air filters should be changed every 3 to 6 months when used in your home's heating or cooling system. If there isn't enough air coming out of the vents in each room, a dirty filter could be the cause. This could also cause your house to feel too hot or too cold. During a maintenance visit, the technician checks and replaces dirty filters and measures air flow rates.
If you notice splashing or clicking sounds when the engine is idle, you may need to change the filter. It also means that you'll use more energy to heat or cool the same space when an air filter is clogged with dirt and debris. Air filters generally work by trapping particles before they reach the body and cause irritation or illness. If you notice any sudden changes, such as slow performance when driving uphill or the car is struggling to reach high speeds, the filter may be the culprit.
Not only can a dirty air filter make you sick, but clean air has been shown to improve physical and mental health. It is important to regularly check your air filters and replace them when necessary in order to maintain good health and keep your car running smoothly.
