We all know how bad the pollen has been so far this spring. Perhaps you have had itchy eyes, running or clogged up noses, a little annoying cough. I’m sure if it has gotten bad enough you have even sought the help of your doctor or at the very least taken over-the-counter medication to relieve your symptoms. Here’s my point-have you given any thought to your poor vehicle? If not now is the time to go take a look under your hood.
Is your engine getting enough oxygen? Have you checked the air filter lately?
Most of us can change the air intake filter ourselves, some maybe not, oh heck I’m sure even some of you have plenty of money to have it changed for you. If you are one to have it done-take your car in today and have the air filter checked and stop wasting time surfing the net. For those of us that can and want to do it ourselves let me, a novice, try to walk you through it…
Here we go, open the hood of you vehicle. Somewhere near the top of the engine you should see a black plastic box {square/round/rectangle}. Maybe your's is made of metal, it could even be painted or chrome. You will need to open said container, using a Phillips head or flat head screwdriver, maybe yours has a wing nut. Undo the fastening devise. (PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NOT CALLED ANYTHING A DO-HICKIE, yet.)
Inside the air intake container you will find {I hope} a paper like pleated filter with rubber edging. Remove it from the container, hold it up to the light, bend it a little bit, I SAID just a little, to separate the pleats-slightly. Without damaging it take a good look. Does it look pretty and clean or dirty? Really dirty or even so gross you don’t want to touch it any more? If it doesn’t look pretty it is time to change it. Assuming you have gone to your favorite gittin’-store and picked up an air filter made special just for your type of vehicle, you are ready to toss the old one and slip in the new one. If you haven’t picked up the filter yet, you still have time. Put the old dirty one, back in, fasten up the container, {remember left over parts are not a good sign} get on down to the gittin’-store or auto parts. You should be able to go in the store’s auto department, locate the air filter aisle, look in one of the books they have affixed to the shelf and find the make/model/year of your vehicle and the filter number recommended for your vehicle. Or tell the person behind the auto parts counter what you want. (If you really need to, when you get to the store go ahead and take the old dirty filter back outta your car and tote it inside to find the right one for your vehicle.) Now that you have picked up the appropriate filter, or 2 so you have a new one on hand for next time, return home and change that puppy out.
This seems like it shouldn’t be a big deal, but the engine needs fresh air to be able to fire properly. A clean air filter will allow your engine to run more efficiently and keep that bright red “check engine” light off. A good rule of thumb is to check your air filter every time you change the oil (or have someone change it for you).
Is your engine getting enough oxygen? Have you checked the air filter lately?
Most of us can change the air intake filter ourselves, some maybe not, oh heck I’m sure even some of you have plenty of money to have it changed for you. If you are one to have it done-take your car in today and have the air filter checked and stop wasting time surfing the net. For those of us that can and want to do it ourselves let me, a novice, try to walk you through it…
Here we go, open the hood of you vehicle. Somewhere near the top of the engine you should see a black plastic box {square/round/rectangle}. Maybe your's is made of metal, it could even be painted or chrome. You will need to open said container, using a Phillips head or flat head screwdriver, maybe yours has a wing nut. Undo the fastening devise. (PLEASE NOTE I HAVE NOT CALLED ANYTHING A DO-HICKIE, yet.)
Inside the air intake container you will find {I hope} a paper like pleated filter with rubber edging. Remove it from the container, hold it up to the light, bend it a little bit, I SAID just a little, to separate the pleats-slightly. Without damaging it take a good look. Does it look pretty and clean or dirty? Really dirty or even so gross you don’t want to touch it any more? If it doesn’t look pretty it is time to change it. Assuming you have gone to your favorite gittin’-store and picked up an air filter made special just for your type of vehicle, you are ready to toss the old one and slip in the new one. If you haven’t picked up the filter yet, you still have time. Put the old dirty one, back in, fasten up the container, {remember left over parts are not a good sign} get on down to the gittin’-store or auto parts. You should be able to go in the store’s auto department, locate the air filter aisle, look in one of the books they have affixed to the shelf and find the make/model/year of your vehicle and the filter number recommended for your vehicle. Or tell the person behind the auto parts counter what you want. (If you really need to, when you get to the store go ahead and take the old dirty filter back outta your car and tote it inside to find the right one for your vehicle.) Now that you have picked up the appropriate filter, or 2 so you have a new one on hand for next time, return home and change that puppy out.
This seems like it shouldn’t be a big deal, but the engine needs fresh air to be able to fire properly. A clean air filter will allow your engine to run more efficiently and keep that bright red “check engine” light off. A good rule of thumb is to check your air filter every time you change the oil (or have someone change it for you).
Now that wasn’t so hard. REMEMBER for you to operate at optimum performance you need oxygen and so does your vehicle.
Special note: If haven’t already, you may want to become familiar with your vehicle’s manual for recommendations on maintenance and care.
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