What Are the Effects of a Dirty Car Air Filter?
2 Answers
There are several main impacts of a dirty car air filter: 1. If the air filter is too dirty and covered with a large amount of dust, it will obstruct the passage of air, reducing the engine's air intake, which in turn leads to decreased engine power and increased fuel consumption while driving; 2. The air filtered by the air filter mixes with fuel to form a combustible mixture that burns in the cylinders. If the air filter is too dirty, the air entering the cylinders may carry small sand particles, dust, or other non-combustible foreign objects, which can cause wear or damage to the cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings, and valves.
I've been driving a taxi for over a decade, and the most frustrating thing is when the air filter gets dirty but isn't replaced. The car noticeably struggles when starting, and when you press the accelerator, the engine whines weakly without power. This really increases fuel consumption. Last month on a long trip, my fuel consumption was over 2 liters higher than usual. The mechanic told me that if air can't get in, the gasoline doesn't burn completely, leading to carbon buildup on the piston rings. Most importantly, the dust sucked in can wear down the cylinder walls, potentially requiring a major engine overhaul. I usually check it every 20,000 kilometers, and replace it more frequently during dusty seasons. By the way, I want to remind everyone to distinguish between the air filter and the cabin air filter—one is for the engine, and the other is for the air inside the car.
