Stop us if you’ve heard this one before, but staying up-to-date on all the regular maintenance suggested for your vehicle is just about the easiest way to keep it healthy (and to protect your investment). One important aspect of your vehicle’s performance that often gets overlooked is the air filter. And while it’s a relatively small and inexpensive part, it can mean the difference between getting the most out of your vehicle or seeing poor and inefficient performance. Whether you’re fixing it yourself, or coming to visit the service team at Jack Carter Chev GMC, read on to learn more about the importance of your air filter and how to properly maintain it.

What’s an air filter, and what does it do?

All internal combustion engines—i.e., all vehicles that aren’t fully electric—burn a combination of fuel and air to get to where they’re going. Because they take in air from outside, including no shortage of dust and debris, they need to filter that air before it hits the engine: enter the cleverly-named air filter. While a clean air filter does this job with ease, a dirty air filter can result in dirty spark plugs, as well as the following automotive ailments:Higher emissions

• Lower fuel economy
• Poor performance (including decreased acceleration)
• Excess noise when idling
• Reduced engine life

Basically, a dirty air filter means your vehicle will be slower, use more fuel, and have a shorter lifespan—and that’s to say nothing of the increase in pollution. Rather than deal with all those negatives, your best bet is to make the easy swap to a clean air filter.

When should you change your air filter?

By simply looking at your air filter, you can get a pretty good idea of if it’s clean or dirty. Located in a rectangular box near the front of the engine compartment in most modern vehicles, you can simply slide out the filter and take a peek. If there’s an abundance of visible debris, a new air filter is probably in your best interest.

If you’re not the most handy under the hood, there’s a couple different ways to know that you might need to replace your air filter. First, are you experiencing any of the issues found in the list above? If so, checking (and replacing) the air filter first is a quick way to rule out a number of larger, more expensive fixes. The second aspect you might want to consider is mileage. Lots of manufacturers suggest that modern air filters have a lifespan of anywhere from 24,000 to 48,000 kilometres, though this will vary depending on how often you drive your vehicle as well as the environment you drive it in. For example, residents of Airdrie and Cochrane might experience a bit less dirt and debris than those living in downtown Calgary. Of course, these are just loose guidelines, so your best bet is to pop the hood and simply take a look!

What air filter is best for your vehicle?

There is no shortage of air filter options on the market for your vehicle, ranging from activated carbon and charcoal filters to electrostatic ones. Your best bet? Checking in with the team at Calgary’s Jack Carter Chev GMC. Not only do we have an experienced team at our service department ready to help, we also offer one of the largest parts and accessories departments in all of Western Canada! Simply stop in or give us a call, and we can help guide you through the decision making process.

Experience fast and friendly vehicle maintenance made easy via the team at Jack Carter Chevrolet GMC in Calgary, Alberta. We’re set up with everything you need to have your vehicle running its best. Or, you can trade in your current vehicle, and explore our huge selection of both new and pre-owned vehicles spanning all makes and models—though our expertise really lies in the excellent offerings from Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC. No matter what you choose, Jack Carter Chev GMC is here for all your automotive needs!