Air Filtration
How it works
This simple barrier of accordion-folded paper may look insignificant… But it’s responsible for providing clean air to your car’s cylinders. This is important because air is just as crucial as fuel in the combustion process that powers the engine. Air is drawn through the air filter, then the air intake manifold and into the cylinders. There, it mixes with fuel to create the small explosions that power your car. The breather element and the PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve work together to filter and route the toxic fumes that are created in the engine’s dead air space back into the cylinders. Fumes are then re-burned to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions. Make sure that you get a qualified car technition to change the filter, breather element and PCV valve for you.
Air Filtration replacement
Think
of the air you breathe. When it’s clean and clear, you
feel better. You perform better. Your car is no different. So make
sure that you replace:
• The Air Filter to improve gas mileage and
acceleration.
• The Breather Element to help keep contaminants out
of oil.
• The PCV Valve to reduce fumes, engine part wear
and air pollution.
Recommended Maintenance
If it’s
dirty, change it.
Replace your air filtration system components as recommended in your
owner’s manual or have them checked regularly and replace them
when they become dirty.
How can you tell if the filter is ready to be changed?
1. Remove it from the car.
2. Hold it up to a light.
3. If most of the light is obscured by debris or if the paper is heavily
discolored/soiled, it’s time for a change.
(Note: Be aware that no light will come through a brand new panel air
filter.)
What can go wrong
You wouldn’t want to inhale this stuff – so why should
your car?
A dirty air filter prevents the cylinders from drawing in enough air,
and throws off the fuel/air mix. This can result in poor fuel economy.
If the breather element and PCV valve are clogged with dirt or oil
varnish from the crankcase, you may develop oil leaks, risk engine
wear, and reduce fuel economy.
Fuel System
How it works
It’s how gas (and air!) power your car. Every time you press
the gas pedal, you’re controlling how much gas and air your
engine takes in. Your car has computerized systems that respond to
the pressure
on the pedal by telling:
• the throttle valve how much air to let in
• the fuel injector how much fuel to spray
These calculated amounts of air and fuel are mixed together before being
sucked into the combustion chamber of an engine cylinder. There, the spark
plug ignites the mixture, producing the carefully contained explosion that
powers your car.
How to maintain
Keep it clean.
To prevent clogged fuel system components, be sure to have your fuel
system professionally cleaned when you notice declining performance
or fuel economy.
What can go wrong
Your engine runs on a delicate balance of fuel and air.
Fuel fumes and engine contaminants like oil mist and acids can coat
the throttle valve and the intake manifold. When the throttle valve
cannot open properly, the correct amount of air cannot enter the fuel
system, disrupting the delicate ratio of the fuel/air mixture. Build-up
in the intake manifold can contaminate clean air traveling through
the system and eventually work its way into the combustion chamber.
Dirt and other impurities inherent to fuel can also clog your fuel
injectors and these impurities can migrate into the combustion chamber.
An improper fuel/air mixture in a combustion chamber choked with build-up
cannot be ignited effectively by the spark plug. This improper combustion
can lead to:
• Shuttering or vibration during idling.
• Stalling while driving.
• Hesitation during acceleration.
• Difficulty star ting or long
cranking periods.
• Reduced engine performance.
• Diminished fuel
efficiency.