Over the years, air filters in cars have been improved to enhance the extent to which they keep out dirt and debris. This filtration process consists of paper and synthetic fibers meshed together to keep out unnecessary car particles and ensure they run as smoothly as possible. A functioning air filter is crucial because not having one will result in the incurrence of great damage as well as high costs to your vehicle.

How Well Do Air Filters Work?

The particles that air filters are normally able to trap are 5-6 microns in size. Most particles that are as small as a few microns are also held back through the filter. However, good air filter cleaners can trap almost 99% of contaminants. Therefore, they are the ones worth purchasing.

The functionality of air filters also depends on the level of maintenance. Cleaning air filters regularly can extend their life while improving their performance.

An Engine May Be Prone to Damages in the Absence of a Good Air Filter

Without a good air filter cleaner, the air filter of your car will not be functioning properly and will inevitably lead to extensive damage to your engine. The issues that crop up include but are not restricted to the following:

Damage to the turbocharger

In the absence of a good air filter cleaner, the air filter is bound to malfunction. The function of a turbocharger is to propel pressurized air into the engine to improve how it works. The engine's air intake is connected to the impeller on one side. When the air filter is not working properly, dirt and debris are bound to find their way in. To make matters worse, pieces of metal from this damaged turbocharger manage to enter the engine and enter the system, resulting in engine failure.

Damage to the internal engine

During the engine's intake stroke, the air gets sucked in as the piston moves down. Without using an air filter cleaner, the air filter may not be working properly, and the air might bring in debris and dirt. Internal parts of an engine such as pistons, cylinder walls, and valves may be malfunctioning. Also, this will lead to excessive oil consumption and the engine's poor performance. This may result in engine failure.

Sometimes, the absence of an air filter cleaner may bring about more issues, such as the entry of contaminants into the turbocharger and engine. The engine has to perform more work to draw in more air, thus, creating a vacuum effect while bringing in contaminants into the engine.

How to protect your engine

The ultimate solution is to invest in a good quality air filter cleaner that will filter out dirt and debris and ensure that your engine works optimally. The filter should be changed regularly to avoid buildup.

According to the EIA, motorists prefer the use of gasoline over diesel. Many people believe that gas is much cleaner than diesel. But this belief has been debunked due to the invention of modern diesel engines. Diesel's efficiency, surprisingly, can be up to 40% greater than gas due to its greater energy density. However, you can gain maximum advantage by investing in a good air filter cleaner to prevent the occurrence of major engine issues.

What protects against engine contamination?

The use of a good air filter cleaner cannot be stressed enough. The entire engine must be properly cared for, especially its sensitive parts. A dirty filter will add to the contaminants entering the engine, leading to the vehicle stopping and starting, moving slowly, and emitting carcinogenic smoke.

How do air filters lead to better efficiency?

For combustion to take place, the right amounts of air need to be in contact with diesel fuel—the combination of clean air and fuel results in higher miles per gallon. In contrast, contaminated air makes this process much more difficult. In the absence of an air filter cleaner, a dirty air filter restricts the amount of air entering the engine. Therefore, the engine will have to work harder, consume more fuel, and result in lower miles per gallon. It's wise to consult professionals who can guide you if it's time to replace the air filters.

The cause of reduced power output

Diesel is opted for by truckers because of the power generated to haul and lug around heavy cargo. However, a clogged air filter can reduce the engine's power output. Engines find it difficult to draw in more air. As a result, the power out of the engine is drained, leading to power loss.

An air filter should ideally be replaced every 15,000 miles. The use of a good air filter cleaner will undoubtedly extend its life, though.

What can a dirty air filter do?

For starters, this can cause a problem with acceleration. The dirty filter no longer provides sufficient air to the engine, thus, leading to such a problem. The engine may also jerk, creating discomfort while driving. This might also lead to accidents. Therefore, the best bet is to practice safety and ensure that your air filter is clean before planning any road trip.

The Takeaway

We should admit that the usage of diesel now reaps much more benefits as compared to the usage of gasoline. However, it's wise to invest in a good air filter cleaner like the Air Filter Blaster so that you can take advantage of it to the fullest. This will do away with the dirt and debris accumulating over time and improve vehicle performance.

Air filter maintenance is something that should be a routine part of your vehicle's regular inspection. This will not only lead to engine efficiency but will also maximize fuel consumption and overall vehicle life. Therefore, staying up to date with your air filter maintenance will enhance the number of miles you get out of your car.