It Looks Dirty

This is probably the most obvious indication that you should replace the air filter in your car. A clean air filter is off-white in color and will have no dirt or debris caught in its folds.

A dirty air filter, on the other hand, will appear gray or brown in color and you’ll likely be able to see dirt trapped between the layers of fabric. This dirt is getting in the way of the flow of oxygen to the engine.

Your Car Doesn’t Have as Much Power

Your engine requires a precise mix of fuel and oxygen to produce the horsepower it needs to perform its best. If you notice your car is sluggish when starting up from a stop, or it doesn’t feel like it reaches speed as quickly as it once did, the culprit could be the air filter.

Bring your car in to have the filter inspected and replaced if necessary. As a bonus, if there’s something else wrong, the technician will find it.

You’re Paying More at the Pump

When you have a clogged air filter, your engine compensates for the lack of air by burning more fuel to produce its power. As such, you’ll end up filling your car up with fuel more often than you used to.

If you notice that your fuel bill is higher than it should be, and gas prices haven’t changed much, take a look at the air filter first. The fix could be as simple as replacing it.

You Smell Gas When You Start Your Car

Some of the excess gas that your car requires to produce its normal amount of power won’t get burned off until you start your car the next time. When this happens, you’ll get a whiff of gasoline as it exits your car’s tailpipe.

You should never smell gas when you start your car or when you’re driving. If you do, it’s time to bring your car in to see what’s happening. Changing the air filter can remedy this situation immediately.

Flames or Black Smoke Come From the Tailpipe

Along with the smell of gas, the excess fuel that exits the tailpipe when there’s a dirty or clogged air filter can briefly ignite or cause black smoke to pour out of the tailpipe when you start your car.

This is not normal and should never happen in a properly functioning vehicle. A factory-trained technician can identify the problem and replace the air filter if it’s to blame.

The Check Engine Light Comes On

Of course, the check engine light can mean there’s one of several problems with your car, but a lack of oxygen is a main one.

You won’t know what the issue is until you have the light diagnosed, so bringing it into a service center can tell you if your air filter needs to be replaced.

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