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When a car starts experiencing engine problems, few people think to check their car air filter. But this relatively simple car part has a large impact on how a car's engine performs, especially if the filter becomes clogged up. Below are the most common signs that an engine's air filter might need to be replaced. You can have a new filter quickly installed at your local used car dealership. Misfiring Engine The combustion chambers inside your car's engine need a steady supply of fresh oxygen to mix with the fuel. If a clogged air filter restricts this inflow of air, the fuel-air mixture becomes unbalanced. This leads to a build-up of excess unburned fuel inside the chambers, which eventually starts to coat the spark plugs in sooty residue. These fouled spark plugs start to misfire, causing the engine to sputter and shake and struggle to perform. more Reduced Acceleration As a result of this misfiring, your engine will rapidly lose power. You'll find it reacting sluggishly when you step on the gas. This might cause problems when you're trying to overtake another car or cross a busy intersection. Falling Gas Mileage When an engine is starved of oxygen because of a clogged filter, it will continue burning through fuel only less efficiently. This means you'll be stopping for gas more often and watching your weekly fuel expenditure steadily rise. Black Exhaust Smoke The excess fuel that a clogged filter causes to build inside the combustion chambers can begin to escape through the exhaust pipes. In the intense heat of the exhaust system, this fuel might combust, causing backfiring. It might also ignite partially, causing black smoke to emerge from behind your car. Check Engine Light Fortunately, the various engine issues caused by a clogged air filter will almost always trigger the check engine light to appear on your instrument panel. It's best not to ignore this warning light; have a technician take a look without delay. Filthy-Looking Filter If you suspect that your air filter might be causing problems, pop the hood to inspect it. Be sure to check in between the filter's pleats. If there are significant dark patches of congealed dirt and grime, you probably need a new filter. Replace Your Filter at Your Local Used Car Dealer Most of the time, air filters will last about a year. If you've been using the same filter for this long or longer, consider visiting your nearest dealership for a new one. If you regularly use particularly dusty roads, or you drive daily in heavy traffic with lots of airborne contaminants, you might need to replace your filter more frequently than this. Have your air filter inspected and replaced today at Duncan Suzuki. We're been diligently serving the region's drivers with top-notch vehicles, deals, and customer service for over 20 years.

Is your car AC not working properly? If your air-con ever malfunctions, you'll usually need a technician at your local used car dealer to identify and repair the problem at once. After all, it can be difficult to enjoy driving during the hot months of summer without a nice cool cabin. Here are a few of the more common causes of a faulty AC system. Malfunctioning Compressor The compressor is the workhorse of any auto AC system. The compressor receives cool, low-pressure liquid refrigerant and compresses it into a hot, high-pressure gas. It then propels this gas along to the condenser. Compressors can sometimes suffer faults when left unused for long periods over winter. more Blocked or Broken Condenser As the hot gaseous refrigerant arrives from the compressor, the condenser turns it into a pressurized liquid and sends it along toward the evaporator. Condensers can sometimes become blocked by contaminants or damaged by external debris. As the condenser is usually situated at the front of the engine compartment, you can often raise your hood and visually inspect it for outward signs of damage. Evaporator Problems When refrigerant arrives at the evaporator, it's turned from liquid form into gas, absorbing heat as it does so. This process chills the walls of the evaporator, creating cold air which is blown into your car's cabin. Rather like the radiators in an engine's cooling system, evaporators have fins that can become clogged by debris flying in from the air vents. Evaporators can also sometimes corrode, or one of the seams or welds can fail. Cracked or Faulty Cooling Fans The cooling fans blast the cold air into the cabin and also draw air in from outside the car. If a cooling fan becomes cracked or blocked by something flying into the air vent, the rest of your AC may continue to function, but you won't be receiving cold air inside the cabin. Cooling fans can also sometimes experience electrical faults. Leaking Refrigerant One of the most common causes of car air-con issues is leaking refrigerant. It's possible for refrigerant to leak at many points around the rather complex AC system. Usually, a leak will be found at a hose connection. Refrigerant is a transparent, oily substance that's often difficult to spot. When you take your car in for repairs, the technician may use a special refrigerant dye that makes any leaks easy to see under ultraviolet light. They'll then properly seal the leak before topping up the refrigerant and testing the system. Have your malfunctioning air conditioner repaired today at Duncan Suzuki. Our full-service dealership has been servicing the Pulaski area for years high quality customer care and an excellent range of new and used vehicles.