STOP CHANGING YOUR ENGINE OIL: 101 FOCUS GUIDE ON THE AIR FILTER
Engine oil isn’t the only reason your car’s slowing down.
Wait, hold on: I know that many people think that car servicing ends only when they get their oil changed, but that’s false. Car servicing revolves around basically everything that affects the performance of a vehicle.
There are several factors that influence the performance of your vehicle, and believe it or not, the air filter is one of them.
In most sedans, SUVs, and semi-trucks, the air filter is located closer to the engine. And in Vans and trucks, it’s located underneath the head of the vehicle. And no, you won’t see it unless you get the housing open.
Give me one magarita, I’ma open my legs.
Give me two magaritas, I’ma lift up the head.
Give me three maragritas, I’ma open that murdafacker up. Get my hands in that housing and grab that sht up. Then I’ma get my hands dusty and dirty by wiping that housing clean.
PURPOSE OF AN AIR FILTER
It prevents dirt, pollens, and dust from entering the engine chambers. It acts like your daddy’s greedy baby mama—but it’s actually worth keeping around.
The air filter also supplies the engine with clean air, which mixes with fuel for optimal combustion—crazy.
Most online articles, sites, and books will tell you to change it every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. However, it’d advise you to take it out when it gets filled with too much dust – that is if the recommended timeframe isn’t met.
Not all rules are meant to be followed.
IDENTIFYING A CLOGGED AIR FILTER
Lean in and read this; this part of your car can actually increase fuel consumption, reduce the car’s acceleration power, and even make your car shake like Shakira’s hips.
An engine is supposed to breath. It’s not supposed to be kept wrapped up and suffocated like a damn condom. I said what I said, babe.
DIY REPLACEMENT GUIDE
DECLAIMER: THE ENGINE SHOULD BE COLD AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TURNED OFF WHEN PERFORMING THESE PROCEDURES.
Remember, the type of vehicle you use is important in this work. In order for you to locate the air filter, you’ll have to remember what I said in the introduction
If your vehicle has an accessible hood, open it up and look for the housing of this element. Take a deep breath if you’re using a truck or any form of van because you’re squatting to your knees.
For those with trucks, semi-trucks, and vans – look for the housing of the air filter on either side of your vehicle, but most times, it’s situated underneath the passenger’s seat. Outside your van.
It’s unmissable though, since it has a thick like tube attached to it.
In older vehicles the housing has clips holding the top lid in place. This prevents the outside air in the atmosphere from clogging the air filter. Though a few trucks and vans I’ve encountered do have an open tube that I believe forces the dust, pollens, and dirt back into the atmosphere.
If you have a modern vehicle, I’ll advise you to carry a star screwdriver: engineers decided to get creative by replacing the clips with screw bolts. If you’re unlucky, you might even get to use an allen key.
Once you’ve managed to unclip/ screw open the top cover, remove the old air filter.
Place the old filter beside the new, clean one and compare the sizes. Both width, height, and length—size matters, honey.
Confirmed it’s the right size? Okay.
Get a clean cloth and clean the inside of the housing because believe it or not, it’s unlikely for the housing to be clean from dirt, dust, and pollens.
Be sure to get at least 99% of the dust removed before placing your new air filter in.
Clip/ screw the little bolts back in and be sure to check if it’s completely shut closed.
Done? Good girl / boy.
FINAL VERDICT
Although people get upset at their mechanic for bringing up issues, do know that when it involves vehicles, a small problem turns expensive very fast. It’s not a possibility – it’s the future.
The more dirt that gets trapped within your filter, the more suffocated your engine gets. And anything can happen to an item in a vulnerable position.
Be a good parent by checking the diaper(air filter) of your baby(car). A full diaper will kill that murdafacker.
Bye:)