A fuel filter is a critical part of the fuel system. As the name explains, it supplies dirt-free oil to the engine. Over time water, dirt and debris find their way to the fuel. These impurities, if not filtered, damage the engine. Therefore, scheduling a timely inspection for your fuel filter is essential.
Fuel filters are commonly located between your engine and the fuel tank to ensure only pure oil enters the engine. You’ll find the fuel filter at the opening or in the middle of the fuel line, which supplies oil to the engine. Although it is best to use manufacturer-recommended fuel filters, you can click here to find some versatile and high-quality ones.
Effects Of Fuel Filter on The Car’s Performance
Fuel Economy
A fuel filter plays a vital role in achieving optimal engine performance. However, over time it gathers dirt and fails to work correctly, affecting the engine’s performance badly. According to experts, a clogged oil filter reduces the engine’s efficiency by 10%.
Furthermore, severely clogged fuel filters can cause severe damage to the engine, like misfires or stalling. In contrast, a good fuel filter increases fuel economy and ensures the smooth working of the engine.
Engine Performance
Contaminated oil accumulates dirt in engine pumps and pistons. These deposits deteriorate the functioning of components leading to costly repairs. A good fuel filter prevents all engine troubles, increases durability, and boosts its performance by 2 to 4%.
Oil Supply
Logically a clogged fuel filter will fail to provide the right amount of oil to the engine. Insufficient oil supply in the engine not only hinders the acceleration of the car but also causes component wear, as there is not sufficient oil for lubrication.
Fuel Emission
The combustion mechanism of the vehicles causes emissions. These emissions are a mixture of fuel and air (called hydrocarbons) which your car ejects into the environment.
Clogged fuel filters fail to keep the hydrocarbon proportion minimum, leading to harmful emissions, inappropriate fuel burning, and environmental damages.
Does The Kind of Fuel Filter Affect Your Engine’s Performance?
There are two types of fuel filters. First, there are filters shaped like metal or plastic containers that house filtration material. Such filters require replacement and cannot be serviced.
The other category of fuel filters has a replaceable filter inside a cartridge. These filters prove economical as you can replace the filter individually. Usually, drivers confuse over the fact that the kind of oil filter affects their engine’s performance. However, it is not so. All fuel filters work appropriately and deliver clean oil to the engine, provided they are installed and maintained correctly.
Wrap Up
Fuel filters are the underrated components of your car’s fuel system. The function of a fuel filter is to filter the dirt and debris before the oil enters the engine. However, over time, dirt clogs reduce the filtering capacity of fuel filters.
Clogged fuel filters affect the engine’s performance adversely. Its fuel mileage decreases, and dirt deposits in engine parts cause wear and overheating. Therefore, it is recommended to get the fuel filter inspected every year. However, cars used on rougher or muddier terrains may require an early replacement.
