Is it necessary to replace the air filter during car maintenance?
2 Answers
It is not necessary to replace the air filter every time during car maintenance; the decision should be based on the driving environment. Below are specific details about automotive air filters: 1. Introduction: An air filter is a device designed to remove particulate impurities from the air. When piston machinery (such as internal combustion engines, reciprocating compressors, etc.) operates, inhaling air containing dust and other impurities can accelerate component wear, making an air filter essential. 2. Composition: An air filter consists of two main parts: the filter element and the housing. The primary requirements for an air filter are high filtration efficiency, low flow resistance, and the ability to operate continuously for extended periods without maintenance. There are three types of air filters: inertial, filtration, and oil bath types.
To be honest, changing the air filter isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. Last week, a city commuter car came into the shop—when we opened it up, the filter only had a thin layer of dust, so we just cleaned it with an air gun and kept using it. But if you frequently drive on construction sites or in dusty areas, the filter can get completely clogged much sooner. The key is to check three things: whether there's oily sludge on the filter paper surface, if the pleats are packed with leaves or dead insects, and if light passes through when held up to sunlight. I make it a habit to inspect it during every maintenance session. If you notice the engine RPM becoming unstable or black smoke coming out, there's an 80% chance the air filter is so clogged it's restricting airflow. Actually, the mileage intervals suggested in the owner's manual are just guidelines. Take my SUV for example—the manual says to replace it every 20,000 km, but after a road trip to the northwest last year, I had to replace it at just 8,000 km.
