Your Honda’s air filter allows airflow while keeping dust and dirt out of the combustion chamber and away from your engine. As time passes, the air filter becomes dirty and clogged, impacting your vehicle’s performance. Below are ways to tell when it’s time to replace your car air filter at your Honda dealer to safeguard your engine.
Does Your Honda Need a New Car Air Filter From Your Honda Dealer?
A Dirty Air Filter
One of the easiest ways to determine if you need a new air filter is to check if it looks dirty. New air filters are white, but as they accumulate dust and dirt, they turn grey, brown, or black. If the air filter appears grimy, have your Honda technician replace it as soon as possible to prevent all sorts of trouble.
Rough Idle, Hard Starts, Engine Misfire
A dirty air filter hampers airflow to the engine, leading to unburned fuel that forms a soot residue capable of fouling the spark plugs and preventing a proper spark. Symptoms include rough idling, hard starts, and engine misfires. Address this problem right away to avoid further complications.
Loss of Engine Power
If your car’s air filter is dirty and clogged, the engine doesn’t receive enough air for proper combustion. The lack of air can lead to reduced engine efficiency, resulting in poor acceleration and overall loss of power. It’s important to change your vehicle’s air filter as recommended to prevent performance issues.
Reduced Fuel Efficiency
A decrease in gas mileage is another symptom of a dirty and clogged air filter. If you find yourself refueling more often than usual, it could be that a blocked air filter is restricting airflow, causing the engine to consume more gas due to reduced oxygen levels. You’ll notice savings at the gas pump once your Honda technician replaces the air filter.
Strange Engine Noises
You might notice strange sounds coming from the engine area. These popping, sputtering, and coughing noises are typically caused by a dirty air filter not allowing air into the combustion chamber.
Black Exhaust Smoke
When you see black smoke pouring out of your tailpipe, the fuel isn’t burning efficiently. The smoke can be attributed to a clogged filter, causing an incorrect mixture of air and fuel. Ask your Honda technician to change the air filter as soon as possible to prevent engine damage.
It’s generally recommended to change your air filter once a year. If you frequently drive in traffic or on dusty dirt roads, you may need to replace the air filter more regularly. Call Tony Honda Kona in Kailua-Kona, HI, today for an air filter replacement to ensure your vehicle is fuel-efficient and running at its best.
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