Back to all

Engine Air Filter from Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport

August 17, 2017

Many Lockport drivers have found themselves in the following situation: They go to get their oil changed and their friendly service advisor at Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport recommends a new engine air filter. They say yes, but don't know what an air filter is or what it does.

If this has happened to you, rest assured that you did the right thing by getting a new one. But you should never be too embarrassed to ask your Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport service advisor for more information. It's your vehicle and you have a right to understand what you're paying for.

Let's review: "What does an air filter do?"

Air is the focus of this discussion. What is the air like outside in Lockport right now? Can you see any smog? Is it full of pollen? How about dust? Anyone in Illinois with hay fever can tell you that there's plenty in the air that you can't see. Well, the engine air filter's job is to clean that air before it goes into your vehicle engine, to mix with the fuel and be burned. Without an engine air filter, the inside of your vehicle engine would be extremely dirty from all the gunk that was burned in the cylinders.

In fact, your engine needs 12,000 times as much air as fuel for it to run. That little filter does a very big job. It's no wonder that the air filter gets dirty and needs to be replaced. Think about a vacuum cleaner. When the bag gets full of dust and dirt, the vacuum doesn't clean as well. It can't move enough air to create good suction. A clogged engine air filter is the same way - the vehicle engine can't get enough air to burn the fuel efficiently. That means less power and reduced fuel economy.

That's why your owner's manual has recommended that you change your filter at regular intervals. Of course the Lockport conditions you drive in will affect how quickly the filter gets dirty. If you drive in Illinois where it's very dusty or where there's lots of pollen or pollution, you may need to change the filter sooner. The filter is easy to check visually, so your friendly and knowledgeable Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport service advisor can quickly make the call. He might recommend immediate replacement or simply let you know that it is getting close and that you'll need to replace it soon - like at your next oil change.

Because a severely dirty vehicle air filter hurts your vehicle, many Lockport residents find that a new air filter pays for itself in better fuel economy before the next oil change. They also make premium air filters that have been proven to increase your horsepower and torque. If more power is important to you, a high performance air filter is some of the cheapest horsepower you can buy.

The better your car breathes, the better it runs - kind of like people. And don't worry - if you have a question or don't understand a recommendation just ask your Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport service advisor.

Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Center Lockport
600 E 9th Street
Lockport, Illinois 60441
815-838-3700

 

More articles from Tuffy Lockport

The Daily Grind (Grinding Noise)

March 24, 2024

If your vehicle makes a grinding sound when you turn the steering wheel, it's speaking to you. No, really, it is. So listen to what it's saying and you could avoid a much more costly repair down the road. A grinding sound coming from the front of your vehicle when you are turning can offer some... More

Start Me Up (Ignition Systems)

March 17, 2024

When you start up your gasoline engine car, you may not know that it's using the same ignition principles as it has for decades. You have spark plugs that require enough power so a spark can jump across a gap at its tip. Years ago, a vehicle's 12-volt system had to produce 15,000-25,000 volts t... More

Finding Vehicle Recall Information in Lockport, Illinois

March 10, 2024

No matter how well they're made, vehicles in Lockport, Illinois, will have design or manufacturing problems. And when the government thinks a problem is really serious for people in Lockport, Illinois, they require the manufacturer to issue a recall notice and fix the vehicle free of charge. The... More