Cars equipped with internal combustion engines generally have at least one fuel filter to ensure optimal performance. A car’s fuel filters block out the small impurities in your fuel before it reaches your engine and forms harmful deposits, increasing the risk of engine damage.
Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can provide your vehicle with a range of fuel system services, from a simple fuel filter change service to a complete fuel system cleaning service.
What Do Fuel Filters Do?
No fuel is 100% free of impurities, and without working fuel filters, these impurities travel to your engine, eventually forming deposits. The fuel filters capture and absorb these impurities, particulates, and contaminants as the fuel travels through the lines that connect the gas tank, fuel pump, and engine.
Signs Your Fuel Filters Need a Service
If your vehicle has worn-out, dirty, or malfunctioning filters, your vehicle may experience one or more of these common signs:
Engine Misfiring
Bad or clogged fuel filters eventually fail to absorb harmful particulates and contaminants, letting them through the fuel lines into the engine.
One of the potential consequences is a misfiring engine. This occurs when some of your cylinders fail to properly burn the fuel-air mixture, resulting in the engine running more roughly or causing the vehicle to jerk when accelerating.
Rough Idle
A set of worn-out fuel filters can obstruct the proper amount of fuel from traveling through your injectors. This causes the engine to receive less fuel than it needs for optimal performance, resulting in a rough idle.
Your car may have worn out filters if the engine idle RPM is too low or has an inconsistent engine RPM at idle. You can also tell if your engine is idling roughly if the car unexpectedly shakes, bounces, or vibrates.
Loss of Power While Driving
Worn out fuel filters may cause your car’s Electronic Control Unit (ECU) to intentionally restrict the amount of fuel reaching your engine to prevent particulate contamination. This can result in a loss of power when accelerating, making the car feel sluggish. In some cases, it may cause the Check Engine light to turn on.
Issues Starting the Engine
If your engine appears to hesitate during ignition or requires more time than normal to start, it may be a sign you have at least one clogged fuel filter. This is due to insufficient fuel reaching the engine.
Unexpected Stalls
Vehicles with clogged or bad fuel filters may cause your vehicle to stall unexpectedly while driving. This occurs due to blocked filters starving the engine of fuel, which causes it to stop running.
How Often Should I Schedule a Fuel Filter Service?
The average lifespan of a fuel filter depends on the fuel type your vehicle uses. Most fuel filters for gasoline vehicles have a lifespan of 20,000 to 30,000 miles. Fuel filters on diesel vehicles should be replaced every 10,000 to 25,000 miles. Consult your vehicle’s user manual to find out the specific number of miles before you need a fuel filter service for your car’s make and model.
Types of Fuel System Services We Provide
Are you looking for competent fuel filter replacement or fuel system repair services in your area? The professionals at Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram can provide your vehicle with the following services:
- Fuel filter replacement for gasoline vehicles
- Diesel car fuel filter replacement
- Fuel system cleaning
- Fuel pump repairs and replacement
- Fuel injector repairs or replacement
- Engine decarbonizing service
Give Your Vehicle a Fuel System Checkup at Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Whether you own a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, or a vehicle from another brand or manufacturer, visit Hometown Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We offer comprehensive fuel system services, including inspection, cleaning, and filter replacement. Contact us today to schedule a visit and keep your vehicle’s fuel system in top condition.