There are various different types of filters present in your car, and each one does a different job. As the name suggests, a car filter is there to filter the physical elements that are present in the gases or fluids entering the vehicle or passing through the internal parts, such as oil and fuel filters.
Car filters are essential to the operation of the car and they allow you to filter the impurities that can come from outside of the engine and thus, they extend the life of your car. In vehicles, there are several types of filters:
Air filter
The engine air filter in your car is there to clean the air that enters the engine for combustion. There are different types of air filters for cars:they can be made from paper, foam and even cotton. The good working condition of each filter depends on the material. A filter in good working condition ensures air going into the engine does not contain abrasive particles. This means combustion takes place in the best conditions and fuel consumption remains at the levels set out in the vehicle specifications, as is the case with the emissions. The end of the filter's life depends very much on the places you drive. Hence, if you normally travel along dusty roads, you'll need to clean your car air filters regularly and replace them much more than if you drive in cleaner environments. The air filters provide a feeling of cleanliness and well-being for the passenger inside the vehicle.
It is ideal to replace the air filters once a year - if you often drive in dusty or heavily polluted conditions, these may need more frequent replacements. Important: driving with a clogged filter may have worse health outcomes than driving with no filter.
Oil filters
Normal engine wear involves the appearance of metal particles that block the flow of components and end up in the lubricant. The oil filter is there to catch such problematic particles that damage the performance or that even damage the engine severely. The timing of replacing oils has changed a lot in new vehicles and although the quality of the filters has improved significantly, it is essential to change these each time the engine oil is changed. Typically, oil changes are scheduled every 2 years in new cards and every year in older cars.
Cabin air filters
If the rest of the filters that are mounted on a vehicle aim to ensure the health of the engine, the cabin filter deals with the health of the passengers. How does it work? It "catches" the dust particles and pollen that are floating around in the air. The cabin air filters prevent these particles from entering the vehicle and this reduces negative impact especially in individuals who are allergic. These filters also provide a clean feeling when you're inside the vehicle. It is convenient to change car filters once a year, unless you frequently drive through dusty or heavily polluted areas.
Fuel filters
Fuel filters work differently depending on whether it is a petrol or a diesel vehicle. In the first case, the filter removes impurities from the fuel before they reach the engine. In diesel powered vehicles, filters are used to remove water and to prevent corrosion on the metal components of the engine. In both cases, the filters' work is essential to ensure the health of the engine. They should always be checked and cleaned when the vehicle enters the workshop for maintenance.
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