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the sounds of mechanical issues

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the sounds of mechanical issues

Do you think that there is something mechanically wrong with your car, truck or SUV? If so, your vehicle may be giving you some tips about what is wrong with it. If you learn the sounds that vehicles make when certain things are going bad, you can quickly get the repairs made and no longer worry about getting stranded along the road in the middle of rush hour. This blog is all about the signs of mechanical problems with vehicles. You will learn what sounds to listen for and what you can do when you notice any of them coming from your vehicle.

How To Clean A Car's Air Filter

12 May 2016
 Categories: , Blog

Your car's air filter works to filter dust and other particles from your engine's air intake, allowing the engine to operate efficiently and power your vehicle. However, over time the filter can be clogged by dust and other debris, which places greater strain on your engine. This can translate into reduced fuel efficiency and performance. Thankfully, cleaning out your car's air filter is a simple process that you can complete in a few moments if you know what you're doing.

Using a Vacuum

You can clean out your car's air filter fastest if you make use of a vacuum. Though a shop vac is best, a household vacuum will work as well.

  1. First, locate the air filter within your car. You should consult the owner's manual for the exact location, but as a general rule of thumb they are located right next to the engine, either off to the side or directly in front.
  2. The filter will be secured with a pair of clamps or wingnuts. Simply undo the clamps and remove the filter.
  3. Then, take the vacuum and clean off the filter, removing all visible dust and debris. Place the filter off to the side and make sure to clean out the interior of the air filter casing with the vacuum as well, to ensure that all the debris is removed.
  4. Then, simply place the filter back into the casing and secure the clamps.

Hand Washing

Washing your air filter can ensure a deeper clean, but also takes much more time.

  1. Locate and remove the air filter and remove it in the same manner described above.
  2. Then, clean the air filter out in a mixture of warm water and soap. Common household detergent works. Allowing the filter to soak for a few minutes can help deep clean the fibers. Take care not to scrub too firmly, as you can damage the filter.
  3. Clean out the air filter housing at well, either using a vacuum or a dry cloth. Avoid using any wet cleaning materials, as moisture in your air filter can damage your engine. If you do use a damp cleaning product in the housing, make sure to dry out the housing thoroughly.
  4. Let the filter air dry. This will take a few hours. Again, make sure that the filter is bone dry when you put it back into the vehicle, as moisture will damage your engine. Once it's dry, simply reinsert it into the housing and redo the clamps.

For more information about air filters, visit a company like Williams Oil Filter Service Co.