Does your car show signs of reduced fuel efficiency or make weird sounds? Maybe the air filters need to be replaced. The air filters in your car play a vital role in providing optimum power to the engine and keeping harmful pollutants at bay. Most automobile mechanics and experts advise that an air filter shouldn’t be used for more than a year, i.e., 12 months. However, if you drive in areas of heavy traffic, it is better to replace these air filters every six months. Considering the job they do, an air filter gets clogged, as time passes by. In this article, we shall discuss some telltale signs that your car’s air filter is dirty and needs to be replaced with a new one.  Reduced Mileage As a responsible driver, you must keep a close watch on your car’s mileage. Your car’s mileage can reduce due to several different reasons. One of the reasons why your car’s mileage goes down is a dirty and clogged air filter. By driving with a clean filter, you can increase your car’s mileage and save money. Misfiring Engine  Does your car have trouble starting? If yes, then it is a sign that your air filter is dirty and clogged. A dirty filter reduces the amount of airflow that reaches the engine. As a result, the air-fuel ratio is disrupted. The concentration of the air-fuel mixture results in polluted spark plugs, which leads to the misfiring of the engine. The issue becomes more prominent when you start the engine and the car jerks. Strange Sounds in the Engine  It is perfectly alright for the engine to produce a gentle humming sound when the car isn’t moving. However, if your engine produces a weird coughing sound, it is a sign that idling has started. Idling of the engine takes place because of a damaged spark plug, which is a product of a dirty air filter. Service Engine Light  To power a vehicle, an engine combines several thousand gallons of air with a single gallon of gasoline. Insufficient air results in deposits and resides accumulating on your engine. This unhealthy accumulation might turn the service engine light on. The moment you see this light, make sure to have the air filter checked. It might be dirty and in dire need of replacement. Minimized Horsepower  You must always keep a close watch on your car’s accelerating ability. There are times when the car fails to perform properly or starts to jerk the moment the accelerator is pressed. If this is the case, chances are that the car isn’t receiving enough air. When this happens, the air filter must be checked immediately and replaced if necessary. As a responsible driver and a car owner, make sure not to ignore the aforementioned signs. Doing so, you will keep your car’s engine in top condition, maintain the fuel efficiency of your car, and save a lot of money. For excellent auto repair services in Berkeley, CA, feel free to visit our website today.