2 Signs Your Car's Air Filter Is Clogged Up And Needs Servicing
If you have noticed that the check engine light on your car's dashboard has come on, you may start to panic a little. When this light is present, it could mean there is a problem in one of several systems of your car's engine.
While you should have a professional technician take a look at your car whenever this warning light comes on, there is a possibility that it is indicating that your car's air filter is dirty and clogged up. Along with the light's presence, there are a couple of other signs that are often present when the air filter is clogged up and needs servicing.
1. Car Is Sluggish When First Taking off from a Dead Stop or Loses Power While Going up an Incline
One sign that your car's air filter is clogged up with dirt is when you notice that the vehicle feels sluggish when trying to take off from a dead start. You may also notice a marked decrease in power whenever you try driving up an incline.
When the filter is dirty, this blocks airflow from reaching the engine's combustion chamber. Without a steady supply of oxygen, there will be a delay in the combustion of gas, which can cause a temporary decrease in power. However, since there are other issues that can cause this problem, you need to have an auto repair technician change the filter and check other engine systems in your car.
2. Engine's Fuel Consumption Increases, Requiring More Stops at the Gas Pump
Another sign that your car's air filter may need servicing is when you notice that you are having to stop more often at the gas pump to refuel. Without an adequate amount of oxygen, the gas in your car will not fully combust while the engine is running.
Because of this incomplete combustion, some of the car's gas is wasted as it is disposed of out of the tailpipe. You may notice a brief whiff of gas when the car starts and may even see smoke come out of the tailpipe. Since these signs could also indicate a problem with the engine itself, you need to have a professional inspect the air filter and the other parts of the motor to be safe.
When your car becomes sluggish when it first takes off, loses power going up an incline, and requires more fuel to operate, one likely issue is that the air filter is clogged up and needs to be cleaned or replaced. However, since these problems are also signs of other, more complex problems, you should have a professional at an auto repair shop tend to the filter while also checking out the rest of your car's engine.
Contact a local auto repair shop to learn more.