It’s generally recommended that Volkswagen owners replace their air filters once every 12,000 miles. This usually amounts to once every three times you go in for an oil change. But if you notice any of the following 6 signs of filter trouble, you might want to get it changed sooner. Let’s look at the most common signs you should head to your local VW dealer for a new car air filter.
6 Reasons to Replace Your Car Air Filter
Low Gas Mileage
Just like humans, your engine needs to breathe. While driving, air is drawn into the combustion chamber, where it’s mixed with fuel and ignited to power the pistons. If the inflow of air is restricted by a clogged-up filter, then the fuel-air mixture is unbalanced and burning less efficiently.
This means the engine needs to use more fuel for each mile it drives your car. So if you notice that your full tank isn’t taking you as far as it used to, pop your hood to check on the filter. It might be time for a new one.
Black Smoke
When the fuel-air mixture becomes unbalanced, the engine tries to compensate with excess fuel. A good deal of this excess fuel goes unburnt, which causes all sorts of problems over time. A lot of it gets expelled from the tailpipe in the form of black smoke, and sometimes even flames. So if you’re seeing black smoke in the rearview mirror, it’s quite likely that a failing filter is to blame.
Misfiring Engine
Another problem caused by an excess of unburnt fuel is a sooty residue building up on your spark plugs. Spark plugs provide the electrical surge that ignites the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chambers. When they get coated in soot, they conduct sparks less effectively and sometimes fail altogether. As a result, you’ll begin experiencing problems when starting your car, as your engine misfires.
Sputtering Sounds While Idling
A healthy engine sounds smooth and quiet while idling. An engine with struggling spark plugs because of a blocked air filter will often create sputtering or coughing sounds while idling. Don’t ignore these noises. Check the filter to see how clean it is.
Blackened Filter
When you check your filter, a little discoloration isn’t necessarily a problem. Hold up the filter to inspect it under bright light. If it’s clearly warped and blocked in patches, and you’re also experiencing one of the above problems, then it probably needs replacing.
A Year Since Your Last VW Dealer Check-Up
To keep your car in tip-top shape, it’s a good idea to get your filter changed either once a year or every 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. So whenever you go in for your yearly engine diagnostic, have your filter replaced as well. This way you’ll probably never have to experience any of the above problems.
To have your filter checked and replaced today by certified professionals, visit Crain Volkswagen of Fayetteville, the region’s leading Volkswagen dealership.
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