Cars today have a few filters on board to keep your engine running smoothly and air clean. We don't often think of filters as being the cause of our car running poorly. However, clean filters are a big part of keeping your vehicle in tip-top operating condition. It is good to keep an eye (and ear) out when symptoms arise and if a filter can be cleaned rather than replaced. We all want to save our money, right?

Cabin Air Filter
This is one filter easily declined and overlooked when we choose to save money during an oil change. Air filters are made of a variety of materials such as paper, foam, and cotton. They capture debris and contaminants before making it to your cabin and into your lungs. The cabin air filter also can make the air inside your vehicle smell cleaner when you are using your heater or air conditioner as some have activated charcoal impregnated into the filter which absorb many different odors and also moisture. The cabin filter is often located near your glove compartment or near the brake pedal. When your cabin air filter starts to go, you may find an unfriendly smell in your car, less air in your vents, or a noisier fan. When you encounter these symptoms, should you clean or replace your air filters? Well, the truth is, depending on your filter type, you can usually vacuum or wipe them down between replacements to extend their life. However, these filters are pretty affordable and may be worth replacing. If you have any questions as to their condition, it may be best to simply replace the filter.
Engine Air Filter
The air filter for your engine is usually found inside the engine compartment and keeps debris from getting inside your engine. Keeping debris from sneaking inside your engine is vital to extend the life of your vehicle for many reasons.

If you notice that your fuel economy is "in the tank," that you have been having issues with acceleration, your car is idling rough, having a hard time starting, or misfiring, the air filter should be your first go-to item. When you have these symptoms, should you clean or replace your air filter? Depending on your filter type, you can usually vacuum or wipe them down between replacements to extend their life. However, these filters are pretty affordable and may be worth replacing. If you have any questions as to their condition, it may be best to just replace the filter.

Oil Filter
This filter plays a very important role in keeping your engine operating correctly. Knowing the viscosity of your oil and temperature, it is likely wisest to change your oil filter every time you have your fluids changed on a regular maintenance schedule. By making this your practice, you will avoid symptoms, like unusual sounds, your check engine light or check oil light coming on, or black or gritty oil on the dipstick.

Fuel Filter
Fuel is vital when it comes to your car starting and running. All fuel that goes into your engine runs through your fuel filter. Performance cars often have more than one fuel filter, just to prevent potential contaminants from affecting engine performance. If you experience difficulty starting your car, your vehicle is slow to respond to acceleration, is idling rough or stalls out when driving, first check your fuel gauge to make sure you are not running out of gas, then check your fuel filter. The fuel filter plays such an essential role in the performance of your car. It is a vital component of your vehicle's reliability that it is best to change this filter rather than clean it and set a regular maintenance schedule for replacement.
It is the best thing to check your car regularly. Of course, if the cost of each time makes you feel a little pressure, then I suggest that you may be able to relax by owning diagnostic equipment. This is my personal suggestion, if you have other questions, please contact me www.obd2.ltd