4 Car Filters That Need Checking and Changing

A filter change might sound like a trivial procedure compared to a fluid flush, tire service, or a major engine job. However, your car's filters play pivotal roles in keeping the vehicle working properly. In fact, a simple filter inspection and timely filter replacement can help prevent more expensive problems down the road.

You'll see the importance of filter inspections and changes once you know where these parts reside in your vehicle, what services they perform, what can go wrong with them, and how to recognize telltale trouble signs. Take a look at four automotive filters that need periodic checking and changing.

1. Oil Filter

A car engine cannot run properly without clean, high-quality engine oil. This oil, which runs through your engine and coats its moving parts every time you engage the ignition, provides essential lubrication while also keeping those parts from overheating. The oil filter prevents contaminants from entering the oil and producing friction.

If you have a clogged or damaged oil filter, you probably have dirty oil as well. Signs of this problem include grinding noises from part-on-part friction, loss of oil pressure or fuel economy, and a sputtering engine. Regular oil changes can help you avoid this problem because they typically include filter inspections and changes.

2. Fuel Filter

Just as your car's oil filter keeps engine oil clean, its fuel filters keep rust, dirt, and grit out of the fuel supply. A standard fuel system includes two fuel filters, one in the main fuel feed line and the other in the fuel tank. Over time, these filters collect so much debris that they can get clogged and impair the flow of fuel.

When your car's engine can't get enough fuel, it will start to malfunction. These malfunctions can take the form of rough idling, the occasional sputter, stalling, or hard starts. You may also notice a check engine light that could be an indication of a dirty fuel filter. Technicians can replace a bad fuel filter easily, although repeated clogs may indicate additional fuel system problems.

3. Air Filter

Car engines count on a reliable supply of oxygen to spark the combustion process into life. An air filter traps dust and other unwanted contaminants that might otherwise get sucked into the engine and can contribute to wear and tear. As the air filter collects material, it grows less efficient at passing clean air to the engine.

A clogged engine air filter will create some of the same performance problems as a clogged fuel filter, including rough idling and hard starts. You may also have to push your accelerator harder to speed up. If vibrations accompany these symptoms, get your car serviced immediately or spark plug damage may result.

4. Cabin Filter

Not all of the air that enters your vehicle serves your engine; you and your passengers also need fresh, clean air. A separate filter called the cabin air filter prevents dust, pollen, and other substances from creating foul odors and triggering respiratory reactions. This filter also assists in windshield defrosting and defogging.

If your cabin smells like dust, your allergies act up every time you turn on the air in your car, or you have trouble defogging or defrosting your windshield, you probably need a new cabin air filter. If you let this problem go unaddressed, your overburdened blower motor may fail, forcing you to replace two parts instead of just one.

Whether you've noticed some signs of possible filter problems or you just want to keep all your car's filters in optimal condition, Car Doctors of Loma Linda can help. Contact us today for a free estimate on a maintenance inspection, or simply roll into our shop so we can check your filters and make any necessary replacements.