Does Your Kia Need a New Car Air Filter?

Cars need to have air flowing into the engine compartment in order for the fuel to combust, and your car air filter helps make sure that the air that’s going into the engine is relatively clean. Changing these filters is part of routine car maintenance, and your local Kia dealer can provide the service you need.

Does Your Location Impact How Often You Need to Change Your Car Air Filter?

While the general rule of thumb is to change the air filter once a year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, where you’re driving can make a large difference. In these cases, it’s better to change the filter every 6,000 miles or so.

Dusty environments, such as rural areas or desert highways, can lead to a quicker clogging of the air filter. Areas with heavy pollutants, such as large cities, can also lead to increased build-up in the filter.

Does Your Kia Dealer Say Your Air Filter Looks Dirty?

Visual inspections are one of the best ways to determine when your air filter needs changing. They are usually a white or off-white color when they’re new, so a build-up of dirt and grime is easy to see with the naked eye.

If you have your car serviced by a professional, this should be part of the standard checks that they do. The mechanic will let you know when it’s time to change the filter out. If you’re someone who does your own oil changes, make sure to pop out the filter and take a look every time you do one.

Is Your Engine Misfiring?

Dirty air filters can lead to improper burning of fuel, which can lead to a build-up of soot. It’s common for this soot to collect on the surface of the spark plug, which in turn makes it difficult for that spark plug to produce the requisite spark.

This can mean you need to turn the key several times to get your engine to turn over or you struggle to accelerate. Misfires can also make a sudden sound within the engine, and while this can be concerning, an air filter change is a relatively simple procedure that can alleviate these problems.

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