Filters You Should Replace Regularly

Engines are more delicate than you might think. They are assembled in extremely clean facilities, and if contaminates find their way inside of your car’s engine, it can cause complications or even failure. Anything from metal shavings to dust to bugs can find their way into your engine. If you fuel up at a gas station that has dirty gasoline, you could be inadvertently introducing debris into your fuel system and engine. That’s why filters are so important. 

Engine Air Filter

Your engine intake system pulls air from the outside world to make the car run. As you may be aware, the outside world, especially on the roads, is dirty. Bugs, rocks, hardware, and trash can all be sucked into your intake, along with grime, dirt, and dust. Your intake should block any larger pieces of debris from getting into the engine, but smaller particles are trapped by the engine air filter. Over time, that filter can get clogged with dirt and grime and will need to be replaced. If you don’t replace it, it’s can prevent your car from sucking in the air it needs to run. 

Oil Filter

Typically replaced during an oil change, the oil filter can trap debris like carbon and metal particles produced by normal engine function. Oil works to not just lubricate, but also clean your engine. As the oil moves through the oil filter, any debris in the oil will be trapped in the filter. If the filter isn’t changed when the oil is, usually at every other oil change, then the filter won’t be able to keep contaminants out of the oil. That debris can cause premature wear on the engine and eventually lead to premature engine failure. 

Fuel Filter

Gas stations store fuel in tanks underneath the fuel pumps. Though these tanks are cleaned sometimes, there can be sediment and debris in the tanks, which makes for dirty fuel. That debris can be pumped into your car. Since cars with direct fuel injection have fuel sprayed into the intake through the fuel injectors, that debris can be sprayed into your engine, causing buildup and contamination. To combat this, cars are equipped with fuel filters. Sometimes, there is a filter on the fuel pump itself, keeping the debris from going through the fuel pump. Most vehicles also have a fuel filter on the fuel feed hose, the hose that sends fuel to the fuel rail. This one is easy to replace and should be done regularly, especially if you accidentally put bad or contaminated gas into your vehicle.

If you can’t remember the last time these filters were replaced, the Lynch Ford Chevrolet service team can help. We only use factory filters, specially constructed for your car for perfect fit and function. To have your engine air, oil, or fuel filters inspected or replaced, contact us today to schedule an appointment online or stop by our service center at 410 Business 30 SW, Mt Vernon, IA 52314.