What is an Air Filter?

The air filter in your car isn’t talked about nearly as much as the oil filter, but it is just as important in many ways. So, just what is an air filter?

Modern technology is such that the names given to most parts often seem to have no relation whatsoever to the actual function of the device. This is simply not the case with an air filter. An air filter does exactly what the name suggests. It filters the air. More specifically, it filters the air coming from outside the car into the engine proper.

An air filter is a device that removes particulate from the air. These particulates range from dirt to dust to even small rocks in construction areas. The filter does this by creating a permeable blockage between the air rushing into the engine and the internal engine department itself.

The design of the air filter depends on the car. Older cars tend to have carburetor systems controlling the firing process in the engines. These systems used a circular air filter that looked like a large donut with a very big center. Newer cars use a different approach that requires only a square or rectangular filter. Regardless, the technique is the same for filtering the air.

The air filter is made out of everything from cotton to paper to even plastic or a combination thereof. As the air rushes into the engine, it is forced through this material. The molecules of the air are small enough to pass through without any problem. Dirt, dust and particulates, however, cannot and they are caught in the filter. This keeps them out of the engine and allows for a smooth firing process.

As you can imagine, air filters slowly fill up with dirt and debris. As this occurs, your car engine starts to starve for air. Air and gas are the keys to making the combustion engine work. If the engine starts to starve for air, your car will run poorly and the engine will be put under stress. To avoid this, you should change out your air filter every 20,000 miles or as recommended in your owner’s manual.

The air filter is one of those parts of your car that is out of sight, out of mind. That being said, it is a very important part so make sure you keep an eye on it. You can find the specific air filter called out for the year, make and model of your car here.

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