If a driver forgets to replace their engine's air filter, it can lead to misfiring and various other problems throughout the car. The following are some common issues that result from a clogged air filter. If you're currently experiencing any of them, visit your nearest INFINITI dealership for a new car air filter right away.
Does Your INFINITI Need a New Car Air Filter?
Discolored, Dirty Air Filter
If you've had your current filter for a long time, it's a good idea to visually inspect it. Open the air filter compartment and see what color it is. A new filter will be white or off-white in hue. If your filter is dark gray or black and clearly clogged with grime in patches, have it replaced to restore proper airflow.
Engine Jerking and Coughing
When a dirty air filter begins to restrict the inflow of oxygen into the engine, the fuel-air mixture inside the combustion chambers becomes unbalanced. This leads to an excess of fuel coating the spark plugs with carbon deposits, which soon leads to misfiring. This misfiring will cause the engine to cough and jolt as it struggles to keep going.
Engine Slow To Start
While starved of oxygen by a dirty air filter, the engine may also become slow to start. If it's taking an unusually long time to start your car in the morning, check both the battery and air filter. One of the two is often to blame.
Reduced Engine Power
A misfiring engine with a suboptimal fuel-air mixture inside the cylinders cannot produce as much power as usual. This will become most apparent when you're trying to drive at high speeds on the highway or when you need a quick burst of acceleration. With a bad filter, you may find your car's engine can no longer deliver on these demands.
Smoke in the Exhaust Fumes
The excess fuel that builds up inside an oxygen-starved combustion chamber will eventually start to leak back into the exhaust pipes. There, the fuel may partially ignite, causing black smoke to emerge from the tailpipe behind your vehicle.
Blinking Check Engine Light
The various problems caused by a clogged air filter will almost always cause the check engine light to appear on the dashboard. This light should never be ignored as engine problems can rapidly worsen when left unattended.
Get a New Air Filter at Your Local INFINITI Dealership
Fortunately, a clogged air filter is a relatively quick and inexpensive problem to fix. Head to your local dealership where a technician can examine the filter and promptly replace it if required.
Have a new air filter installed today at Edison Infiniti in Edison, NJ. Our full-service dealership offers a broad range of exceptional new and pre-owned INFINITI vehicles along with award-winning customer service.