Top Picks For Air Filter Related Parts

Changing the air filter is an essential part of vehicle maintenance and performance. The air filter prevents dirt, dust, and grime from entering the engine and protects it from expensive damage. Replacing the old and clogged air filter with a new one allows increased airflow into the engine that results in better combustion and fuel efficiency. It also improves the engine longevity by offering a cleaner and dirt-free air that keeps the engine components safe. Air filters are comparatively inexpensive and can be replaced for a small amount of money.

Apart from air filters, the intake system of a vehicle comprises other key components that play an important role in providing your car's engine with fresh air. These components need to be checked and replaced if they are faulty before the problems grow too severe. Carrying this spirit forward, let's look at the key components related to air filters.

An air intake kit is an air supply system that replaces the OEM air intake system of your vehicle by moving the air filter away from the engine heat so the cool air can be sucked into the engine for better combustion. This cool air is dense and comprises more oxygen, which means more combustion and power generation from your vehicle. Air intake kits also come with a free-flowing air filter that allows better airflow. The tubing used in these air intake kits is specially designed for smooth airflow and is made from durable materials like rubber, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic.

If you need more performance other than just changing your air filters, you might want to choose air intake kits for your vehicle. An air intake kit comprises a low-restriction air filter with a specially engineered air intake hose for improved airflow to the engine. These air intake kits are designed to flow better than the stock air filter assembly and offer many benefits to your vehicle.

More Horsepower

The biggest advantage of using an air intake kit is increased horsepower. This is achieved by supplying cold air into the engine with the help of these air intake kits. The cold air is denser and comprises more oxygen molecules for better combustion, which consequently increases the torque and horsepower generated by the engine. They shield the air intake from the engine heat to keep the intake air temperature down for increased power.

Increased Acceleration

An air intake kit offers improved acceleration and better throttle response, which allows you to reach your desired speed at a much quicker rate. This offers a significant increase in the performance of the vehicle.

Better Fuel Efficiency

A good air intake system supplies more air and helps in maintaining a proper air-fuel ratio. This results in a better fuel economy and less fuel consumption.

Improved Filtration

Air intake kits are equipped with quality air filters that offer maximum filtration to protect the engine from contaminants. Unlike OE filters, they last longer and offer impeccable protection from dirt, dust, and grime that can enter and damage the engine components like valves, pistons, and piston rings. 

Nicer Sound

Air intake kits also add a character to your vehicle by adding a distinct sound and making it a little more audible. The robust sound complements your vehicle modifications and is a perfect add-on for car enthusiasts.

The air intake kit is a simple performance upgrade for your vehicle that allows you to obtain more than what just changing an air filter offers. Apart from improved performance, driving experience, and power, these air intake kits offer excellent protection and save you a lot of money by incorporating reusable and washable air filters.

The air intake hose is an integral component of the air intake assembly. The purpose of an air intake hose is to supply regular and controlled air into the engine for combustion. These hoses are made from different materials like molded plastic and metal.

Choosing an air intake hose made from superior materials is necessary for durability and the proper functioning of the air intake system of your vehicle. A cracked or loose air intake hose can cause vacuum leaks which cause an excessively high or surging idle. Rough engine idling is another issue associated with bad air intake hoses, which can be caused due to a crack or a hole in the hose. This also allows unfiltered air containing debris and contaminants, through cracks or holes in the air intake hose, into the engine, damaging its components.

Mass Air Flow Sensors (MAF) are used in fuel-injected engines and they play a critical role in the performance of your engine. They operate continuously and are very fragile therefore, have to be replaced at some point. MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine and sends the data to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This data is interpreted by the ECU according to which it controls the amount of fuel supplied to maintain a proper air/fuel ratio. 

A dirty air filter can cause the sensor to behave erratically, causing the engine to idle roughly, hesitate and have starting problems. A dirty air filter allows dirt and debris to slip by and accumulate on the sensor, causing it to fail. Driving around with a fully MAF sensor can affect your vehicle's ability to run reliably and smoothly. Replace your faulty MAF sensor to prevent starting problems and reduce the chances of further damage that can be caused due to a defective sensor. 

An idle air control motor, also known as an idle air control valve, is an electrically operated mechanical valve that controls the amount of air bypassed through the throttle plate in fuel injected engines. This small amount of bypassed air is required to keep the combustion going and to allow the engine to idle. The ECU determines the amount of air that needs to be bypassed by the idle air control motor to maintain the engine’s idle speed.

The idle speed of the engine is when it is operating with no throttle input. Displayed in rotations per minute (RPM) on the tachometer on the dashboard, the engine idle should be smooth and consistent. An erratic or a rough engine idle tells that there is some problem with the engine.

Engine idling problems can be often, if not always, caused by a faulty or clogged idle control motor. The normal idle speed of the engine lies somewhere between 500-1000 RPM. However, this can vary depending on the engine. The idle air control motor's job is to control the amount of air required to maintain a steady idle. It is a small component next to the throttle body and can lead to several issues if it gets clogged. 

A bad air filter can cause dirt and debris to enter the idle air control valve chamber and jam the internal parts leading to the improper functioning of the unit. This can also cause the solenoid to fail when it doesn't receive an electric signal. This can lead to several problems.

Starting Troubles

Improper supply of air to the engine because of a bad idle control motor can cause engine starting troubles.

Rough Engine Idling

Inconsistent supply of air can cause the engine to idle poorly that can cause the engine to glug, hesitate, and rev erratically.

Backfiring

A faulty idle air control motor can also lead to improper supply of air, hence disturbing the air-fuel mixture ratio. This can make the mixture rich, causing the fuel to be left unburnt and backfire.

It's recommended not to drive with a bad idle air control motor and get it checked if you notice the aforementioned symptoms or while changing the air filter of your vehicle.