Many people are unaware of the importance of a regularly replaced air filter. In fact many people are unaware that their vehicle has different types of air filters. Each of these filters has a different and equally important job. Both of them are also equally as important to the overall general well being of you and your car. There are basically two types of air filters, engine filters and cabin air filters, one takes care of your engine and one takes care of you. Engine Air Filter Yes, your car runs on air! Okay not really but wouldn’t that be nice! The truth of the matter is that your engine needs to take in air in order to run efficiently. Air is brought in to your engine and mixed with gasoline in order to help facilitate the movement of gas from your vehicle’s gas tank to the intricate parts of your engine that need it to get you roaring down the road. Now, most of us will readily admit a clear lack of understanding about the inner workings of our engine but suffice it to say that efficiency and precision involve many inter connected parts that must work in unison to achieve a smooth and trouble free ride.

Air, if unfiltered when brought into the gasoline would mess up that intricate balance and affect your car’s performance. electronic air cleaner torontoBugs, debris, tiny plant particles, dust, just about anything that exists in the air outside of your vehicle will eventually make its way inside your engine and create a sludge that overtime can cause major issues. best price sharp air purifierGranted the climate in Colorado Springs and the surrounding area is pleasant most of the time but all of those airborne pollutants still exist and they can’t wait to go in and mess up your engine! air purifier domesticReplacing your air filter regularly is the only sure way to prevent this from happening. Cabin Air Filter This one is for you.

All the airborne contaminants that can affect your engine can harm you as well. Most vehicles are designed to have cabin air filters as well to help prevent unwanted air extras from circulating in the cabin of the car while you drive. This makes the air in your car, effectively cleaner than the air inside it. So next time you find yourself cruising by Colorado Springs, CO why not pop in at Woodmen Nissan Service Center and help your car (and yourself) breathe a little easier! Schedule a service appointment or get directions to our Auto Repair Service center near Pueblo or even better check our Express Services for all your automotive repairs! Volcanic ash can infiltrate nearly every opening and abrade or scratch most surfaces, especially between moving parts of vehicles. Ash particles easily clog air-filtration systems, which can lead to overheating and engine failure. Small concentrations of ash particles inside an engine can cause extra engine wear. Transmissions experience extra wear after ingesting minute ash particles.

Seals on hydraulic components may wear out faster than usual, and brakes and brake assemblies are especially vulnerable to abrasion and clogging from ash. Trucks used to transport ash to disposal sites and other vehicles subjected to heavy ash exposure may require constant brake attention. Ash caught between windshields and wiper blades will scratch and permanently mark the windshield glass, and windows are susceptible to scratching each time they are raised, lowered, and cleaned. Corrosion of paintwork and exterior fittings may also result where ash is in contact with the exterior. Strategies for reducing the effects of ash on vehicles involve frequent oil changes, cleaning or replacing air filters often, using air pressure (< 30 lbs/in2) to blow ash from electrical equipment and other essential engine components (for example, alternator, starter, wiper motor, and radiator), and frequently cleaning vehicles with water to wash away the ash. During such cleanup, care should be taken to ensure the ash does not enter a wastewater or drain-water system.

The list below provides some protective measures for vehicles driven in ashy conditions based on the experience of the 18 May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. Vehicle owners and operators are encouraged to obtain maintenance manuals and manufacturers' recommendations that may be available for operating vehicles in ashy or dusty conditions. For example, in June 1980 General Motors Corporation issued a public service announcement to drivers in ash fallout areas from the Mt. St. Helens eruption. Suggested measures for reducing effects of ash on vehicles: Avoid driving in heavy ash conditions unless absolutely required. When required to drive in ashy conditions keep speed below 55 kilometers per hour (35 mph) or lower. Do not follow too close to the car ahead, and use headlights on low beam. Oil change and air filtersIn very dense ash conditions change oil at 80-160 kilometers (50-100 mi) intervals. In light ash conditions change oil at 800-1,600 kilometers (500-1000 mi) intervals.

Lubricate all chassis components at each oil change. Clean air filters by back-flushing filter paper with compressed air (30 lbs/in2). Caution—blow element from inside (clean side) to outside (dirty side). DO NOT strike filters against anything. If unsure, have a qualified mechanic perform the air filter service. Inspect filters for dents or torn paper. Clean the inside of filters and the filter cover with damp cloth before reinstalling filter. Commercial truck filters can be installed to increase the filtering capacity of the cleaner. This would be beneficial for vehicles operating continuously in extreme dust conditions. Air filter restriction gauges can be installed by qualified mechanics. The gauge will tell you when your air filter requires servicing in order to avoid over-servicing. DO NOT install hose from carburetor air intake (air clean) to inside of car. Outside dust and ash will be drawn into vehicle. Rags, or any other intended filtering material, should not be placed over the carburetor inlet inside the air cleaner element;

serious damage to the engine and/or loss of vehicle control may result. Cover passenger compartment vent inlet (located at base of wind-shield and usually under hood) with thick, loosely woven felt-type material to filter air into vehicles. With vent filter in place, keep heater blower high. Blower will slightly pressurize inside of vehicle and keep dust from entering through body gaps or holes. If a vent filter is NOT installed, keep air conditioner and heater blowers off. Utilize 'internal-only' circulation option available on many modern cars. Have a service garage clean wheel brake assemblies every 80-160 km (50-100 mi) for very severe road conditions, or every 800-1600 km (200-500 mi) for heavy dust conditions. The brake assemblies should be cleaned with compressed air. Have service garage clean alternators winding with compressed air after heavy accumulation or every 500 to 1000 miles or after severe dust exposure. Clean the vehicle, including the engine, radiator, and other essential parts daily, if necessary, using water to flush the ash.