Why is it necessary to change the air filter?

Each internal combustion engine works due to the fact that the fuel is mixed with air (without oxygen there will be no combustion). For the safety of engine parts, it is imperative that the air entering the cylinder does not have abrasive particles.

To clean the air in the car there is an air filter. Some motorists simply clean it for the sake of saving money instead of regular replacement. Let’s figure out why it’s worth changing the filter to a new one.

Where is the air filter installed and how to remove it?

In carburetor motors, this element is located directly above the carburetor. Usually this is a large round container with an air intake. To replace the filter, simply disassemble the container and install it in the appropriate place.

In addition to the standard air filter, all modern cars are equipped with an additional filter element for the passenger compartment.

The cabin filter is located on the passenger side under the windshield. In many vehicles it can be reached by opening the glove compartment.

Replacement options

The ability to replace the filter yourself depends on the type of vehicle. In some cases, you will need to contact a service center.

The pollen filter of the air conditioning system is housed in a housing that stabilizes it. Only when the filter is firmly installed can it work efficiently. To remove and replace, it must be shaken, which can be a problem for an inexperienced car owner. When shaking, some particles can get into the ventilation openings and thus into the passenger compartment.

How often should a pollen filter be replaced?

Bacteria, germs, fine dust and pollen: at some point, the filter clogs the surface of the filter element, which requires replacement. In the spring, one milliliter of air may contain about 3000 particles of pollen, which clogs the filter to a large extent.

Universal pollen filters must be replaced every 15 km or at least once a year. An even more frequent replacement is recommended for allergy sufferers. Reduced air flow or more distinct odors are a clear sign that the filter already needs to be replaced.

Which filters are most effective?

Activated carbon pollen filters significantly remove dirt and odors, therefore they are preferable to standard analogues. In addition, only activated carbon filters can remove contaminants such as ozone and nitric oxide. Such models can be recognized by their dark color.

Replacement or just cleaning?

Cleaning the pollen filter is theoretically possible, but not recommended, since then the filter significantly loses its effectiveness. Ideally, only the filter box and ventilation ducts are cleaned, but the filter itself is replaced with a new one. Allergy sufferers should not save money on this.

When replacing, make sure that the filtered particles do not enter the vehicle interior. It is equally important to clean and disinfect the housing and ventilation ducts during replacement. Special detergents and disinfectants can be found in any car shop.