Your Car’s Filters

Modern cars have four filters, each one with its own distinct function. The oil filter, air filter, fuel filter, and cabin filter each work to remove impurities from different systems in your vehicle.

Oil Filter

Engine oil serves to lubricate the inside of your engine, reducing friction between moving parts and keeping the engine cool. As the oil cycles throughout your engine, it picks up dirt, metal particles, and other contaminants. The oil filter screens those contaminants out, keeping your engine clean and helping your oil last longer between changes. Depending on your vehicle and the type of oil you use, you should be changing your engine oil and oil filter every three months or every 3,000 miles.

Air Filter

Have you ever watched a candle flicker out under a glass? Combustion cannot happen without air. Your vehicle’s air filter keeps the air entering your engine from bringing dirt and dust along with it. Over time, this filter will become clogged, preventing enough air flow from getting into your engine. With that lack of air, the fuel inside your engine won’t be able to ignite correctly, reducing your fuel efficiency. Air filters typically need changing every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.

Fuel Filter

Of course, your engine needs fuel to produce power. But fuel can often have impurities, and dirt and bugs can make their way into your fuel tank. The fuel filter keeps those contaminants from lodging in your fuel pump or injectors. With use, this filter also can clog, preventing adequate fuel from reaching your engine and thereby reducing your engine’s power. A general recommendation is to change out your fuel filter every two years or 30,000 miles.

Cabin Air Filter

You also need to ensure proper airflow inside your vehicle. The cabin air filter keeps the air you breathe inside your car free of pollen, dust, and other pollutants. As this filter becomes stopped up, you may notice reduced airflow or strange smells from your vehicle’s vents. Be sure to change it out every 30,000 miles to avoid those issues.

If it’s time to change your filters, bring your vehicle to Motorworks of Florida. No matter what you drive, our certified technicians are fully capable of caring for your car’s needs.