Toyota of Orlando talks engine air filters

 

If there were ever a source of real controversy surrounding car care appointments, it would absolutely be the engine air filter. This car part gets a bad rap and because of that, many drivers don't take service recommendations for it seriously. However, this car part plays a critical role in your car's performance and if it's not changed routinely, could cause some pretty big issues for your ride. Toyota of Orlando is here to explain. 

Do you really need to replace your engine air filter? 

The reason the engine air filter has a bad reputation is due to a handful of mechanics who like to push it on customers to pad the bill (to be blunt). We often hear complaints about other auto service centers that suggest this service even when it's not due, which makes drivers automatically mistrustful when they heard the words "engine air filter". 

However, it is actually a necessary part of car care to replace this part on a routine basis. Your engine air filter is responsible for ensuring that CLEAN air makes it into the engine. The engine in your Orlando Toyota pulls air into it to ignite the fuel that gets you where you need to go, and the air filter prevents dirt and debris from being sucked in. When it's too dirty to function, your car will suffer performance problems (or worse). That's why it's necessary to clean the air filter regularly and replace it on a routine basis. If you don't, you could have to deal with issues like: 

• Performance problems. When your air filter is too dirty or gets clogged, the right amount of air doesn't get pulled into the engine. This can result in lowered fuel efficiency, misfiring, and a loss of power (less acceleration). 
• Damage to the engine. If your air filter gets worn down due to excessive wear and tear, it could actually start falling apart. When this happens pieces of it can actually get sucked into your car's engine, causing expensive damage that will have to be repaired immediately. 

So how often does this car part *actually* need to be replaced? Some drivers say it should be swapped out once a year, but the better answer is based on mileage. After all, different drivers rack up different mileage based on their habits. It's better to base your car care on the miles you put on your car. Following this logic, you should replace your car engine air filter every 20,000 to 30,000 miles and ensure that you clean it in between replacements. 

Toyota of Orlando can handle all of your routine car care 

And we can help! Our experts at our Orlando auto service center can clean and swap your engine air filter as needed and get you on a schedule so you know exactly when you're due for this service. Give us a call at (407) 298-4500 or stop by. We're located at 3575 Vineland Road, just off I-4 across from the Millenia Mall.