Having a car is an asset that requires financial planning and preventive maintenance. The car needs to undergo periodic inspections to maintain the proper functioning of all parts. But how do you know when is the ideal time to change the air filter?
Continue reading this article to find out the answer!
What is an air filter
This filter is a fundamental part for the proper functioning of your vehicle's engine. Its role is to prevent impurities from entering. The most common models are generally disposable and easy to replace. There are also other models that have better quality and greater durability. But we will talk about this later in this text.
Functioning as a barrier, the air filter prevents air impurities from entering the car. Imagine what could happen if debris, dust, pollution reached the combustion chamber? If this happens, it reduces engine performance and increases fuel consumption.
When to change the air filter?
The truth is that there is no ready-made answer to this question. The ideal time to change the air filter will depend on some variables, such as: manufacturer and model, where you drive, how you use the car, and the type of road the vehicle travels on.
Location: The frequency of changing the air filter may vary depending on whether the car is driven more in cities, on highways or in rural areas. And even whether the city has high levels of air pollution or not.
Car Usage: if it is used very intensely or if it is a car that is used more for leisure purposes, which does not drive on the street every day.
Road: The type of road can also make a difference when figuring out the ideal time to change the air filter. This is because the use of cars on off-road terrain (rally, trails, dirt roads) is more intense, so the wear and tear is greater.
The most recommended thing is to pay attention to the manufacturer's and model's instructions and whenever possible, ask your trusted mechanic to look at the air filter.
Signs of wear
One of the signs that you may notice that it is time to change your car's air filter is when the consumption level is high and/or when it loses power. Of course, several factors can influence these two signals, but be aware if it is not the filter.
It's easy to tell when the filter is time to be replaced. The filter gets dirty, this is normal, because it is there to clean impurities, but when it is very dirty, it is a sign that it is no longer able to fulfill its function well and may be letting these impurities enter the combustion chamber.
One way to keep this change up to date is to calculate it based on mileage. Some manufacturers recommend changing every 10 kilometers driven in common use, and 5 km for those who use the vehicle more on dirt roads.
When in doubt, always ask your trusted mechanic to look at the filter at each inspection of your car.
Longer-lasting air filters
As we said at the beginning of the text, there are filters on the market that are more durable, with a longer change between one filter and another. A Strike Brasil specializes in automotive performance and developed a line of high-performance air filters for some vehicles.
O STK air filter It consists of four to six layers of cotton gauze sandwiched between two epoxy-coated aluminum wire screens. Cotton is treated with a special oil.
The nature of the cotton allows for high volumes of airflow, and the oil creates a powerful filtration medium that ensures engine protection. Most filters on the market cannot balance airflow with engine protection.
Changing it is equivalent (on average) to three conventional filter changes. In other words, it is even better value for money than Styrofoam filters that are changed at each service. In case of use on OFF-ROAD terrain (Trails, Rally or similar) and/or use of 4th generation CNG or earlier, please contact the manufacturer.
to know all the STK Air Filters, access the shop online and check out the characteristics of each product.
Buy and compete for a Hilux
Since 2017 the Strike Brasil Each year, a personalized car is raffled off. The promotion, called OfficialTruck, is now in its fourth edition and this time the vehicle drawn will be a Hilux made by STK Customs (a group company Strike Brasil, specialized in customizations).
To participate, simply purchase any product worth more than R$15,00 or service above R$100,00 at Strike Brasil, or partner companies. Some products in the STK Shield line also entitle you to coupons to compete for a customized Hilux.
Visit strikebrasilofficialtruck.com.br to find out about the promotion and participate.
