How often do you need to change the air filter?
Each car has a lot of small and large parts. But the big ones are not always the most important. Many small ones quietly and imperceptibly control the operation of the entire mechanism. Air filters also belong to them - a kind of checkpoints for air, screening out dust and other harmful particles.
The movement of the car provides the combustion of not pure fuel, but the fuel-air mixture. Moreover, the second component in it should be in
Foreign elements are undesirable in a carburetor. They settle, clog passages and channels, worsen combustion and create the danger of microdetonations. That is why air filters are built into the system. Their functions:
- purification of air from large and small (up to several microns in diameter) particles. Modern devices fulfill their main task by 99,9%;
- reduction of noise propagating along the intake tract;
- regulation of temperature in the fuel-air mixture in gasoline internal combustion engines.
Many drivers ignore the replacement of the air filter, believing that it should last until it wears out. But timely cleaning and installation of a new one will save the car's carburetor and save on fuel.
The work of this element is revealed by such an indicator as the limiting resistance to the intake air. According to him, the more dirty the air filter, the worse it passes air through itself.
Modern filters used for air purification are extremely diverse in form, design, material of manufacture, and work technology. Accordingly, there is a set of types of their classification. Most often, air filters are distinguished by the following features:
- filtration method (oil, inertial, cyclone, direct-flow, etc.);
- waste disposal technology (emission, suction, collection into a container);
- filter element material (special paper, cardboard, synthetic fibers, it happens that nylon / metal thread);
- constructive type of the filter element (cylindrical, panel, frameless);
- planned conditions of use (normal, severe);
- number of filtration levels (1, 2 or 3).
Naturally, each of these species cannot exist in isolation from the others. Therefore, there are, for example, dry inertial filters with the release of unwanted components into the atmosphere, products with a filter element impregnated with a special impregnation, inertial oil systems, etc.
It should be noted that in cars of an older design (GAZ-24, ZAZ-968) only inertia-oil air filters were used. Its essence lies in the fact that when the vehicle is moving, the oil washes the partition (made of pressed iron or nylon thread), captures particles and flows into a special bathroom. At the bottom of this container, it settles and is removed manually, with regular cleaning.
Modern car and component manufacturers are trying to improve the operation of the system and facilitate its maintenance. Therefore, systems with a removable filter partition have been invented and are widely used.
The area of the filter surface also has a significant impact on the functioning of the replaced element. For example, in Zhiguli it is 0,33 m2 (the maximum resistance to fresh air intake is achieved at 20 thousand kilometers on a good road). The Volga has a larger area - 1 m2 and complete pollution occurs after a run of 30 thousand km.
Another innovation that is actively being used by motorists is the zero-resistance filter. Its filter element consists of the following parts:
- cotton fabric folded in a set of times and impregnated with special oil;
- two aluminum wire meshes that compress the fabric and give the element its shape.
This design allows you to increase the amount of air entering the machine by 2 times. Its huge advantage is the possibility of reuse (after washing and drying).
As mentioned above, each filter accumulates dirt and dust over time and its performance deteriorates. In the technical documentation for most cars, it is recommended to replace the air filter every 10 thousand kilometers. But the conditions for using the vehicle are different, so it happens that it is necessary to inspect the condition of this part.
In addition, the following problems indicate that you need to change the air filter:
- pops in the exhaust system;
- unstable turns;
- fuel consumption is higher than normal;
- difficult start of the internal combustion engine;
- decrease in vehicle acceleration dynamics;
- misfiring.
It should be noted that when the filter breaks, not only the performance of the internal combustion engine suffers. This reduces the service life of injectors, spark plugs and catalytic convectors. The operation of fuel pumps and oxygen sensors is disrupted.
When driving in ideal conditions, the air filter may be enough for more than 10 thousand km. Experienced drivers recommend that it happens that its condition is diagnosed and, in case of moderate pollution, shake and clean a little.
It all depends on the type of part being used. If you lightly shake off the rubbish from mono paper products and install it back, then the zero-filter can be deep cleaned. It is produced in a set of the following stages.
- Remove the filter from its place of fixation.
- Clean the filter element with a soft bristle brush.
- Apply on both sides a special product recommended for cleaning such products (K&N, Universal Cleaner or JR).
- Hold for approximately 10 minutes.
- Wash well in a container and rinse with running water.
- Impregnate the filter element with special impregnation
- Set in place.
This procedure is recommended to be carried out approximately once every three months (subject to the active use of the car). Also, to facilitate the procedure, you can combine it with an oil change.
A clean air filter is one of the important factors for a stable and economical car ride.
