Keep Your Sterling Heights Car Breathing Free: Engine Air Filter
September 6, 2016
Hey Sterling Heights - this is something really amazing: Your vehicle uses 12,000 times as much air as fuel when you drive it. All of that air has to be filtered to keep your engine clean.
That's like 100 gallons (380 liters) of air every block! The engine air filter is just another example of a very important but inexpensive part that has to do a tremendous amount of work. And when it works, everything goes well. But, when it doesn't, well, it can lead to problems. Of course, your vehicle manufacturer recommends how often to change your air filter. But like most service intervals, where and how you drive your vehicle in Michigan affects when your filter needs to be changed.
Dusty conditions around Sterling Heights or polluted city driving means you'll need to change your filter more often. Our trained professionals at Sterling Tire & Auto can check your filter for you. In fact, it's often a routine part of an oil change.
When you think about it, a clogged air filter won't allow as much air through as a clean filter. Your vehicle needs this air to efficiently burn its fuel, giving you better fuel economy and performance.
Dirtier filters don't work as well as clean ones. A filter can only hold so much; after that, it allows dirt to pass right into your engine. Air filters come in all shapes and sizes. They also come in different grades. There are high performance air filters available for most vehicles. These high performance filters cost a little more, but they increase horsepower and may improve fuel economy to boot.
So it's important for Sterling Heights drivers to make sure and have their air filter checked. If it needs replacing, it doesn't cost very much at Sterling Tire & Auto in Sterling Heights and it should easily pay for itself in better fuel economy before your next oil change.
Sterling Tire & Auto
34701 Van Dyke Rd
Sterling Heights, Michigan 48312
586-264-7775
Need Service?
More articles from Sterling Tire & Auto

10 Things That Are Lowering Your Fuel Economy
February 1, 2026
Regardless of whatever current gas prices may be, if you could use less gas, wouldnt you? Well, here are 10 things that are robbing you of better fuel economy that you can change for the better: Not enough air in your tires. Underinflated tires have a smaller rolling diameter and more res... More

Losing Your Cool (Why is My Air Conditioning System Not Working?)
January 25, 2026
When you turn on the air conditioning in your vehicle, you expect cool air to come out of the vents. You depend on it, especially in hot weather, but it can also be important in humid weather when you need it to help defrost your windows and windshield. The air conditioning system has a lot of p... More

Why Maintaining Your Windshield Wipers and Washers Matters (Windshield Wiper and Washer Inspection)
January 18, 2026
What do mud, bird droppings and frost all have in common? When theyre covering your windshield, they can temporarily obscure your view of the road, leaving you driving blind. And when you cant see the road clearly ahead of you, it can be really scary. Thats one of the reasons its important to m... More
