Have You Checked Your Air Filter Lately?

       While doing a routine oil change we found that a bird had flew up in a customer's air vent and landed just under the air filter. Our oil changes here at Rick's Auto consists of changing the oil and oil filter and, we lube all fittings on steering linkage, ball joints & drive shaft(s); we check and correct all fluid levels to include brake fluid; power steering fluid, coolant, battery acid (unless a sealed battery, automatic transmission fluid. Check tire pressure an and install "Next Service Due" sticker. This was quite a surprise and a first in 35 years to see an actual bird in the air filter compartment.

Purpose

Air filters allow as much air as possible to enter the engine while collecting anything that will damage the engine.This part is actually quite a bit more complicated than it may sound. The engine produces a vacuum that pulls it's suction through the air filters tiny holes.

Function

A air filter is like a net (in the picture above we caught a bird). In reality, the air filter's holes would only be big enough to pass the individual oxygen particles through, holding back anything not required for combustion. Oxygen atoms are physically smaller then the nitrogen atoms (which amount to seventy-eight percent of our planet's atosphere by volume). Both are far smaller than any dust particulate which is the main area of concern regarding the safety of your motor.

Materials

Filters are manufactured using several different materials. The most common is dry paper or cotton gauze, but other well-known options include foam and oil-impregnated cotton. Foam filters typically flow very well, but aren't very durable. The oil-impregnated cotton filters helps dust particles to stick to the fibers, meaning that the holes can be larger to flow for better increased air flow. Most aftermarket performance filters are of this type.

Overall

Get your air filter checked at Rick's Auto in Forestville and we will evaluate your intake and air flow to see how your exact vehicle's engine is operating at it's max performance. Furthermore, if somehow we can recommend a better air filter for your engine to maximize fuel efficiency and gas mileage we can do so at this time.

Rick's Complete Automotive Repair: 6560 Railroad Ave. Forestville, C.A. 95436 (707-887-1641) www.ricksauto.blogspot.com

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