changing your air filter

[mazdaspeed32007]

Not that I'm going to not change the filter but whats the worst thing that could happen to your vehicle if your filter is dirty?

Could this effect your a/f?
Would you be sucking in dirt, or is it just being less efficient?
Could you be overheating your turbo/overworking your turbo due to the inlet being "blocked up"?

All possible scenearios if anyone would elaborate for everyone else who may not know the answer to this.

I've always changed my filters within a few oil changes of its due date, but what if you didnt and it just...."slipped your mind."

 

[fostersafb]

Simply put, an engine makes power by compressing as much air as possible. limit the amount of air it is able to pull in and limit the amount of power it can make.

Along with being the key element to making power it affects gas mileage pretty significantly.

Imagine this, you are only able to breath through a straw. Now stuff some tissue in the end of the straw. A little more difficult to breath through right? Now imagine that tissue after a couple months of constant exposure to road grime, dust, particulate rubber, exhaust soot and all of the other environmental fallout cars are exposed to. Getting pretty difficult to take a full breath isnt it?

Could this effect your a/f?

It will defintely affect the AFR becuase it will be pulling in less air so the ECU will compensate by adding less fuel. Less fuel + less air = less power

Could you be overheating your turbo/overworking your turbo due to the inlet being "blocked up"?

It would definitely make the turbo work harder than it needed to.

Just routinely check the filter. Its not difficult to get to and worth staying on top of.

 

[serialtoon]

i have the cobb sri and ive had it for about 6 months now. i kind of feel like my gas mileage has gone down a little bit, but the filter looks fine (at least to me). Personally, what will it look like when it needs to be cleaned? Also, what method would you guys recommend in doing the cleaning? thanks

 

[peeaanuut]

my cobb filter still looks as clean as the day it was put in. I think on the cobb filter some compressed air will do the trick. Inside to outside of course.

 

[blueamcat]

Uh that sounds gross. I don't like the idea of breathing through a straw in the first place.

I have a K&N installed, so far so good. Got it a couple weeks ago.