In order to run effectively, your engine needs clean air to burn fuel – and it needs a lot. In fact, a typical vehicle needs about 216,000 gallons of air for every tank of gas.
All that air passes through a filter that catches the dust and dirt. Eventually the air filter gets completely full of dirt because it can only hold so much. Then the dirt and dust start getting through the air filter and it needs to be replaced. This dirty air passes through the mass airflow sensor and starts to accumulate on the delicate sensor element. The mass air flow sensor measures how much air is getting into your engine. When the airflow reading is incorrect, your engine doesn’t get the proper amount of fuel. It runs rough and doesn’t perform as well as it should.
Eventually, if you don’t replace your air filter, the sensor is so damaged it needs to be replaced – which is pricey. Truth is, you could buy a case or two of air filters for the cost of one sensor replacement.
Of course, that dirty air keeps on going through to your engine where it’s burned along with the fuel, which dirties up your combustion chamber and increases harmful exhaust emissions.
The next time your service adviser brings out your dirty air filter and recommends a replacement, remember the cost and poor performance that can be waiting for you around the corner if you don’t replace your air filter. This is a simple service that shouldn’t be neglected if you want to keep your engine running properly.
Give us a call or come in and see us, we’re here to help.