Filters and the role they play in your car

Clean filters (air, fuel, transmission and oil filters) playa crucial role in ensuring optimum vehicle performance. In addition to grit and dirt which enter the engine and transmission from the air and other factors in the environment, these filters keep out harmful contaminants from condensation, chemical reactions and wear.

1. Fuel Filter:
   Fuel filters may be small but they are a critical part of the fuel delivery system. The injectors in the fuel injection system have small orifices through which fuel is forced under high pressure. This creates an air/fuel mixture as a vapour, which is the best state for combustion and power. Even the tiniest particle of dirt can clog the injector and disable the engine. The fuel filter is designed to avoid this. Fuel injection systems also rely on electric fuel pumps to maintain the necessary pressure. These pumps are generally located in the fuel tank behind the fuel filter. For this reason, a partially clogged filter in the system will have the fuel pump overworking to overcome the restriction. The fuel pumps which fail prematurely are forced to operate under such conditions for a prolonged period of time.
2. Air Filter:
   Air filters keep harmful and abrasive dust and dirt out of the inside of the engine. In today's sophisticated computer-controlled fuel injection system, air filters playa more important role than ever.A clean air filter is absolutely necessary to maintain the delicate balance of air-to-fuel ratio.
3. Transmission Filter:
   The automatic transmission is a giant hydraulic pump that lubricates itself. The fluid follows a predetermined path under hydraulic pressure, creating what is called a 'fluid coupling' or linkup between the engine and the transmission that will propel the car forward. For this to happen, the fluid must be clean and flow freely. This is where the transmission filter plays a major role by keeping the fluid clean of debris such as dirt, sludge and clutch material. If the filter is clogged, the flow of fluid will be inhibited, the pressure lowers, the fluid breaks down, and friction and head build up affecting the performance of the transmission or even causing transmission failure.
4. Oil Filter:
   Oil filters trap dirt, metal filings and sludge, which are all by-products of the internal combustion engine. Without this filter, these contaminants will flow through the engine causing heat, friction and engine failure.
   
   Article contributed by AAM