Keep Your Car Breathing Well: Change The AirFilters (NAPSA)—Justas you need clean air to breathe, so does yourcar. ‘The vehicle's air filters are what makethatpossible. To help them keep doing that and ensure vehicle longevity and interior Keep Your Car Breathing Well comfort, car owners should have the en- gine and cabin air filters inspected and changed regularly. How They Work ‘The vehicle's engine air filter traps dirt particles that can cause damage to engine cylinders, cylinder walls, pistons, piston rings and bearings, leading to the engine losing power. Theair filter also You'll be better able to breathe easy about yourcar's comfort and longevity if you changeits air filters regularly. from contaminating the airflow sensor on fuel-injected cars. A normal-wear item that requires regular checks and Instead, it should be replaced every 12,000 to 15,000 miles or per the own- plays critical role in keeping pollutants replacement, air filters should be in- spected at each oil change and replaced annually or when showing othersigns of contamination. The cabin air filter is responsible for cleaning the air entering the passenger compartment. Under normal circum- stances, it helps trap pollen, bacteria, dust and exhaust gases that may find their way into a vehicle's heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, compromisinginterior air qual- ity and damaging the system. Most cabin air filters are accessed through the panel in the HVAChousing, which may be under the hood or placed within the interior of the vehicle. A cabin air filter should not be cleaned andreinstalled. er’s manual. Expert Advice “Airfilters are your vehicle’first line of defense against contaminants that reduce cabin air quality and negatively impact engine performance,” explained Rich White, executive director of the nonprofit Car Care Council. ‘The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting regular vehicle care, maintenance andrepair. Learn More For a free copy of the council’s “Car Care Guide’ or for further information, visit www.carcare.org.
