Many Sterling Heights car owners have found themselves in the following situation: they go to get their oil changed and their friendly Sterling Tire & Auto technician recommends a new engine air filter. They say yes, but don't know what an air filter is or what it does.

If this has happened to you, rest assured that you did the right thing by getting a new one. But you should never be too embarrassed to ask your Sterling Tire & Auto service specialist for more information. It's your income and you have a right to understand what you're paying for.

Let's review: "What does an air filter do??":

Air is the focus of this discussion. What is the air like outside in Sterling Heights right now? Can you see any smog? Is it full of pollen? How about dust? Anyone in Michigan with hay fever can tell you that there's plenty in the air that you can't see. Well, the engine air filter's critical job is to clean that air before it goes into your SUV engine, to mix with the fuel and be burned. Without an engine air filter, the inside of your SUV engine would be extremely dirty from all the gunk that was burned in the cylinders.

In fact, for every gallon of gas you burn, your SUV engine needs 12,000 gallons of air. That little filter does a very big job. It's no wonder that the air filter gets dirty and needs to be replaced. Think about a vacuum cleaner. When the bag gets full of dust and dirt, the vacuum doesn't clean as well. It can't move enough air to create good suction. A clogged engine air filter is the same way - the SUV engine can't get enough air to burn the fuel efficiently. That means less power and reduced MPG.

That's why your car maker has recommended that you change your filter at regular intervals. Of course the Sterling Heights conditions you drive in will affect how quickly the filter gets dirty. If you drive in Michigan where it's very dusty or where there's lots of pollen or pollution, you may need to change the filter sooner. The filter is easy to check visually, so your friendly Sterling Tire & Auto service professional can quickly make the call. He might recommend immediate replacement, or simply let you know that it is getting close and that you'll need to replace it soon - like at your next oil change.

Because a severely dirty SUV air filter hurts your gas mileage, many Sterling Heights motorists find that a new air filter pays for itself in better gas mileage before the next oil change. They also make premium air filters that have been proven to increase your horsepower and torque. If more power is important to you, a high performance air filter is some of the cheapest horsepower you can buy.

The better your car breathes, the better it runs - kind of like Sterling Heights people. And don't worry - if you have a question or don't understand a recommendation just ask your Sterling Tire & Auto service advisor.

34701 Van Dyke Rd.
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775

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