REVIEWS
When you own a luxury vehicle like the Acura RDX, one of your main goals is likely to avoid repairs and expensive maintenance issues. The best way to do this is to keep the car well maintained, and our team of local pros can help.
As one of the San Jose area’s most trusted auto shops, we help people with all types of vehicle repair and maintenance issues on a daily basis. We even employ a team of technicians who are well-versed in working with high end luxury vehicles.
In this article, we will be addressing a sometimes-overlooked small item which can cause your Acura RDX to have major issues, its air filter. Read on to learn about the air filter, and when it might be time for a new one.
Standard Part of Regular Maintenance
The first thing we’ll point out about air filter replacement is it’s a normal part of RDX maintenance. Replacing an air filter is a normal and straightforward repair, and we change them out often. However, when neglected, an air filter can cause major issues. In the next few sections, we’ll discuss symptoms of an air filter which is due for replacement.
Poor Performance
The Acura RDX isn’t known for its power, but this sporty small SUV is fun to drive and performs well. When an air filter is old, damaged, or clogged, the engine can’t perform as intended. Lack of air flow can lead to less horsepower, and will eventually cause extra strain on the engine. If your RDX seems to have lost a step when accelerating, the air filter can be to blame.
Bad Gas Mileage
Because the engine is gasping for air, it will have to work harder to produce power. This excess strain will lead to an increase in the amount of fuel used. If you’re getting fewer MPG than usual, have the air filter checked.
Misfires or Strange Engine Behavior
Lack of air flow can cause sluggish performance as we have mentioned, but it also can cause the engine to act erratically. An engine misfire is typically due to a fuel supply issue, however, air is needed to create ignition. When air can’t get to the engine block, misfires can happen. An air filter can also be the cause of strange noises, rough idling, or other odd occurrences when driving.
Air Flow Tips
Sometimes an air filter can become damaged or clogged with debris even if it hasn’t been installed for long. However, most of the time an air filter goes bad over time. Usually, air filters need to be replaced every 10,000 or so miles. The best thing you can do to prevent an issue is have your vehicle professionally maintained. When we service cars, we check the air filter every time and change it as needed. This greatly decreases the likelihood of any of the issues mentioned above.
To book your service or ask questions about your vehicle’s behavior, give us a call today.
