April is here and despite the chilly days Spring is here and it’s (mostly) in full swing. And do you know what Spring is a great season for? Changing your air filter! Yeah, we know, it’s probably not the first thing you think of when you think about the season but hey, it’s still important! Take a look at our blog about your air filter and then schedule your service appointment to have yours checked out today!

You’re probably wondering why you would bother with the air filter at all if it’s just destined to get gross and block airflow to your engine when it gets grody enough. Well, think about it like this: the little hairs in your nose are designed to trap dirt and dust particles so that you don’t get them in your lungs. That dirt and dust, should it actually reach your lungs, is super unhealthy and can make your other body functions much more difficult. The air filter in your vehicle is the automotive equivalent of those little nose hairs. When your engine can breathe properly, it works a heck of a lot better. And if dust and dirt get into the engine, they can kill your power plant and bring down your MPGs, which can cause even more engine damage in the long run.

The air filter itself is made of cotton, paper, or gauze because these materials trap dirt and still let air flow through. Of course, the filter can’t trap absolutely 100% of all dirt and dust particles, but it gets close with a solid 99% rate of entrapment. Interestingly, newer filters keep out less dirt at first because the filter needs to build up a “dust film” that decreases the size of the holes in the filter, and lets it trap more dirt.

If your engine can’t get air because your air filter is SO dirty that it’s not even letting air in, your engine will suffer. The performance of your engine and your MPGs will both decrease. Your car can’t blow its nose, so you have to do the job yourself! This means making sure that the air filter is always fresh and clean. If it’s been over three years or 30,000 miles, then it’s probably time for a new air filter.

Bring your vehicle in to Destination Kia for a service appointment and we’ll take a look at your air filter and replace it if needed. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and with us, you can always count on a great deal and great advice!