Check your Air Filter for better Fuel Mileage

EnviroMax Plus Fuel Economy Tip of the Week with Master Mechanic and Fuel Economy Consultant, Ken Faurot

Fuel Economy Tip # 1 - Check your Air Filter

Recently I rented a 2007 Ford Explorer 4.0L 6cyl. This was a great opportunity to test EnviroMax Plus. I was driving the same route to and from my destination. To my surprise, I did not see any fuel economy improvement using EnviroMax Plus. This did not make any sense to me. I had to know why, so I popped the hood of this rental and took a look at the air filter. It was plugged up with dirt . . . no wonder!

EnviroMax Plus is a catalyst that uses oxides to increase oxygenation in your combustion chamber. This is what creates the more efficient burn of your fuel and leads to decreased emissions and increased fuel economy. But here is a common problem, if your air filter is dirty, the combustion chamber can't get more oxygen . . . the air filter is preventing it.

Changing the air filter is easy. If you don't want to do it yourself, most oil change centers can do it for you. What could a dirty air filter cost you? Not much, compared to the fuel economy already lost! A dirty air filter can effect engine sensors, other systems, and reduce your economy by 10 - 20%, or more! Left unchanged it can eventually lead to costly repairs.

Dirty or plugged air filters will reduce your fuel economy and may prevent EnviroMax Plus from helping your car reach it's full potential. Here is a simple formula to tell you if you need to change your air filter: Remove your air filter (or have someone else remove it) and inspect it for visual dirt. If you see dirt in the element replace it. If it appears in question and your are not sure if it needs to be replaced, place it on a white paper towel on the ground and tap it down firmly a few times on the towel. If dirt comes out the towel it is time to replace your air filter.

Changing the air filter is easy. If you don't want to do it yourself, most oil change centers can do it for you. There are also premium type air filters available that are cleanable and allow more air to flow into your engine. These are a cost effective investment when they are available. What could a dirty air filter cost you in lost fuel? If you drive 15,000 miles per year, and your car's average is 20 MPG; 15,000 miles divided by 20mpg x $2.50 per gallon x 10% decrease in fuel economy = $187.50 of lost fuel!

Stay tuned for Ken's next tip to help you BEAT the cost of skyrocketing fuel prices.

To your success!

Ken Faurot, Master Mechanic
Extreme Research Fuel Economy Consultant

Join Ken every Thursday Night for more EnviroMax Plus Training!
Listen to the Thursday Night EnviroMax Plus Training Call at 9 PM EST
Pick up your phone and dial: (212) 990-8000 or (212) 990-2300
Enter the pin code of 6175# when instructed to do so.
We hope to hear YOU on the call!