When was the last time you changed the air filter in your vehicle? Have you ever changed it? Did you know you should?

If it's been a while, you should definitely consider installing a new air filter as soon as possible. Why? Because air filters keep your car running.

Though it's only one small component among the many that make your car run, the air filter plays a big role in how your car runs. And how long it runs.

So what's the big deal? What makes the air filter so important? Keep reading to learn the many benefits of having a clean engine air filter in your car.

Protect Your Engine

Think of all the gunk that hangs out on the front of your car. Whether it ends up staying or not, your car gets hit with bugs, leaves, debris, water, salt, mud, and countless other things.

You definitely don't want this stuff getting into your engine. Though some of those things are tiny they can cause big problems.

Auto air filters stop all that gunk from getting to your engine. Becuase of this, your filter can become blocked, restricting air flow. Changing your filter often to keep it clean allows your car to get the air it needs.

Air Equals Performance

Airflow is hugely important to your vehicle, and the quality of that flow depends on your air filter.

Your engine needs to breathe. In other words, it needs air to function properly. Air allows your engine to perform the combustion process.

If you allow your air filter to get too dirty, the engine's performance will go down. The engine may stop running entirely if you let it get bad enough.

Low Cost, Big Impact

Air filters are small and not usually at the forefront of our minds when it comes to thinking about our cars. But they play a big role.

Luckily, air filters are inexpensive and simple. If you can, go for a higher end filter. This will last longer and perform better. This will save you even more money.

Filters are easy to change, too. Don't let their size and simplicity fool you. Those elements are just added benefits to the important role they play in your car.

Better Fuel Economy

Believe it or not, auto air filters play a role in how efficiently your vehicle uses the gasoline you put into it. In order for your car to use gasoline efficiently, it also needs air.

If your car doesn't get enough air, your car will consume more fuel than it otherwise would. Keeping a clean air filter will allow air to mix with fuel properly. This will help your car go farther on a tank of gas than it would with a dirty filter.

Change When Needed

Air filters need to be changed, but only when needed. If you drive a lot, you'll need to change filters more often. But if you don't drive all that much, a filter will last you a good long while.

Not driving much doesn't mean you never need to change the filter, though. Filters may still look clean when they are dirty, depending on the substance caught in them, so be wary.

Consult your owner's manual for proper care for your particular vehicle. The manual will let you know recommended intervals for changing out your filter. It will also tell you what size you need for your vehicle.

Lower Emissions

A clean filter allows air flow to help with the emissions system in your vehicle. A clogged filter will hamper that system, preventing it from doing its job.

When your emissions system doesn't work properly, you risk dirtying spark plugs and increasing engine deposits. This happens because of an air-fuel mixture that has too high a concentration of fuel.

This can also make your "service engine" light come on.

Keeping proper air flow in your car reduces emissions, so make sure you keep that filter clean!

Increased Engine Life

As was mentioned before, tons of dirt, debris, and other junk fly at your car on a regular basis, which isn't great for your engine. It's bad for it, actually.

Your filter traps that gunk, therefore allowing your engine to function properly. If that stuff is allowed into your engine, it results in damage to the internal engine parts.

Something as small as a grain of salt or piece of dirt can cause big problems in your engine, resulting in big costs and decreased engine life.

Change or clean your car's air filter regularly to increase the life of your engine.

Keep Your Engine Air Filter Going

Though small, your engine air filter is a vital component in the operating system of your car. Though it may seem simple, it plays an important part in keeping your car going.

Proper maintenance is required if you want to keep your car in tip-top shape. Regularly cleaning and replacing your filter will help extend the life of your vehicle, as well as it's individual parts.

Knowing when to clean your air filter is paramount. Upon purchasing a vehicle, consult the owner's manual so you're prepared to keep your air filter clean for the life of the vehicle.

There are many benefits to keeping your air filter clean. Keep these in mind to keep your car on the road as long as possible.

Visit our website to learn more about the benefits of clean air filters.