What does an air filter do?

Just as humans need oxygen to breath, your car’s engine also needs oxygen to perform the combustion process. The air filter is your vehicle's first line of defence and is designed to only allow clean air into the engine. It filters the air drawn into the engine thus preventing airborne contaminants such as dirt, dust and leaves from getting pulled into the engine compartment.

This relatively inexpensive part protects the more valuable parts of your engine from getting blocked and damaged by dirt in the air. Your engine needs air in order to operate properly, so failing to replace your air filter regularly could result in it becoming blocked. If this happens your engine could be starved of oxygen, and you may need to fork out for more expensive repairs.

DS

DS is the premium automobile marque of the Groupe PSA. First announced in 2009 by Citroën as its premium sub-brand; it was suggested to be an abbreviation of different spirit or distinctive series. However, in French, the name is considered a play on words, as the translation of déesse becomes goddess in English.

How popular is DS in the United Kingdom?

As a newcomer to the UK market in its own right, there were around 35k DS cars on the roads in the UK by the end of 2018. Whether those figures will continue to rise at the same rate shown since their introduction in 2015, only time will tell.

Looking to provide a standalone marque to initially compete with brands such as Volkswagen and Audi, PSA decided that neither Citroën nor Peugeot would be able to carry the brand strength that would be able to make a serious threat in the market with an elevated price-point at the level of quality and luxury they set out to achieve.

DS: Establishing a new range of upmarket models

To compete with the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, DS introduced a range of hatchbacks, saloons and SUVs but it’s undoubtedly their supermini city car that is proving the most popular.

The DS3, sold as a 3-door hatchback or a convertible, is available in countless customisation options and also as the subcompact luxury crossover SUV DS3 Crossback. The DS3 was voted Car of the Year by Top Gear Magazine, and first place supermini four times in a row in the JD Power Satisfaction UK Survey.

DS: Don’t be fooled into thinking they’re just a one trick pony

At the other end of the range you’ll find the DS7 Crossback. Here’s a large SUV designed to compete directly with the Audi Q5, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC; that’s quite a jump for a car that’s built by Citroën.

The models that you’ll find between the DS3 and the DS7 are created with the same style for the market in mind. The DS4, a mixture of hatchback and SUV, and the DS5, a bigger hatchback priced and pitched against the Audi A4, the BMW 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class saloons.

How often should an air filter need replacing?

You should change your air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. This varies from car to car, and if you're driving mostly on polluted city streets or dusty roads, it's a good idea to change the air filter more regularly.

Your engine needs air in order to operate properly, so failing to replace your air filter regularly could result in it becoming blocked. A dirty filter can impact the engine power and engine performance as well as your gas mileage and fuel emissions. Look out for the symptoms of a clogged air filter mentioned above so that you can have a replacement air filter fitted as soon as you notice problems.

What happens during a car air filter replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Inspect your engine air filter and any related engine components

• If necessary, they will clean or replace your air filter

• After the new air filter is installed the mechanic will test your car to ensure everything is working properly

• They will advise if any other related parts need to be replaced

When should an air filter be replaced?

You should change your air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. This varies from car to car, and if you're driving mostly on polluted city streets or dusty roads, it's a good idea to change the air filter more regularly.

Your engine needs air in order to operate properly, so failing to replace your air filter regularly could result in it becoming blocked. A dirty filter can impact the engine power and engine performance as well as your gas mileage and fuel emissions. Look out for the symptoms of a clogged air filter mentioned above so that you can have a replacement air filter fitted as soon as you notice problems.

What are the symptoms of a dirty car air filter?

Usually, there a few signs you can look for:

• The air filter appears dirty

• You’re experiencing decreased fuel mileage

• Your engine keeps misfiring

• Reduction in engine power

• Strange engine noises

• Strong fuel smell

• Flames or black smoke coming from the exhaust

• Engine warning light illuminates

How often should you replace your car's air filter?

We recommend replacing your engine air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles - this will vary depending on your car and driving conditions.

What happens during a car air filter replacement?

Our certified mechanics will:

• Inspect your engine air filter and any related engine components

• If necessary, they will clean or replace your air filter

• After the new air filter is installed the mechanic will test your car to ensure everything is working properly

• They will advise if any other related parts need to be replaced

What is the average life of an air filter?

Air filters should last between 15,000 to 30,000 miles, however if you frequently drive on polluted city roads or in dusty environments, you may want to replace your air filter sooner.

Can you drive with a blocked air filter?

You should avoid driving if your air filter is clogged or very dirty as it can wreak havoc on other engine aspects as your car begins to struggle over time. A dirty air filter will reduce the flow of oxygen through your engine, reducing your engine performance and fuel efficiency. Therefore it could end up costing you more money in the long run, so it’s worth changing the air filter regularly.

Do air filters deteriorate with age?

Over time your air filter will become clogged up with dirt, debris and bugs from the air sucked into your engine compartment. They therefore need to be well maintained, cleaned and replaced when necessary. Usually air filters will need to be replaced every 15,000 to 30,000 miles to keep your engine happy and healthy.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

Although there are no specific laws or regulations surrounding the condition of your engine air filter, a blocked air filter can affect your engine’s performance and emissions. Your car’s emissions are checked as part of its annual MOT test so it’s important to keep your air filter in good working order.