Air filter. Tips for choosing and replacing.
Content
If, then the air filter is its lungs. Through it, all the air enters the car engine, which means that the quality of the filter directly affects the operation of the motor.
Purpose and principle of operation
On average, your car while driving consumes from 12 to 15 cubic meters of air for every 100 kilometers. That is, your car literally breathes. If the atmospheric air entering the engine is not cleaned, then dust and dirt from the roads will get inside and will soon lead to a deterioration in the operation of the motor. Even the smallest particles, such as sand, can cause rapid wear on finely tuned motor parts, rubbing metal surfaces like sandpaper.
To protect against such cases, a special air purifier is used - an air filter. In addition to direct cleaning, it serves as a noise suppressor in the intake tract. And in gasoline engines, it also regulates the temperature of the combustible mixture.
During vehicle operation, the air cleaner becomes clogged and its ability to filter the air flow is reduced. As a result, the amount of air entering the engine is reduced. This leads to the fact that in certain operating modes the combustible mixture is enriched and ceases to burn completely. Because of this, engine performance is reduced, fuel consumption increases and the concentration of toxic substances in the exhaust gases increases.
The air filter is located directly under the hood of the car in a protective housing. Air enters it through the air duct, then passes through the filter and follows further to the flow meter and into the combustion chamber. Under normal driving conditions, an air cleaner can reduce engine wear by up to
Types and configurations
On most modern cars, paper filters of various configurations are installed. The filter elements themselves are of three types in their design: panel, annular and cylindrical.
Panel - the most popular cleaners that are installed in diesel and injection cars. Panel filters are framed and frameless. Sometimes they are provided with a metal mesh to reduce vibration and increase strength. Such cleaners have compact dimensions and high reliability in operation.
Ring filters are installed on cars with a carburetor system. Since the air flow is strong enough in such cleaners, they are additionally reinforced with an aluminum frame. The main disadvantage of such cleaners is the limited filtration area.
Cylindrical cleaners are more compact than ring cleaners, but have a fairly large surface area. Usually installed on commercial diesel vehicles.
Exploitation
The main task of the filter is the effective elimination of impurities from the air. The higher the quality of the cleaner, the more impurities it will hold.
All that is needed for proper operation is simply to purchase a high-quality filter, install it properly and replace it in a timely manner. You can track the condition of the air purifier visually or by a pollution sensor. When operating under normal conditions, the air filter will not require additional attention to itself and will not give you any surprises.
It is necessary to replace the air filter according to the regulations in the service book. We do not recommend exceeding the service life, as this is fraught with problems with the engine.
Air Filter Replacement Recommendations
The lifespan of an air purifier varies by manufacturer, but the average is
By the end of the replacement period, the old cleaner will look like one big lump of dirt and dust. Therefore, you should not worry that you will miss the moment of replacement, since every driver is able to distinguish a clean filter from a dirty one.
The signs of a dirty filter, in addition to the lack of air, the proportion of fuel combustion, include:
- increased fuel consumption;
- lower motor power;
- malfunction of the mass air flow sensor.
If you do not change the air cleaner in a timely manner, then these symptoms will worsen until one day the engine simply does not start.
The Chinese online store does not recommend you save on air filters. The main reason is that its cost is not comparable with a potential engine repair. Since even the slightest damage to the purifier will very quickly bring your car to the workshop, we advise you never to drive a car with a damaged or dirty filter.
In our catalog you will find a huge selection of air purifiers from different manufacturers. Since the quality of the purifier directly affects the operating mode of the motor, we recommend purchasing filters from reliable suppliers. One of these has already earned a reputation as one of the most responsible manufacturers. All spare parts from the Mogen plant are certified and undergo rigorous German testing, and their quality is confirmed by a 12-month guarantee.
