Its the WEATHER stupid

[NorthernRaider]

One aspect of the severe pollution warnings being issued for this week that is not being addressed by the media is the increased wear on your vehicles AIR filters, as with the cases in the early 60s and mid 70s when large amounts of sand from the Sahara blew across Europe. Garages noted a notable increase in the numbers of vehicles with premature engine wear or rough running cos of blocked air filters, so if you live in one of the areas of HIGH or VERY HIGH pollution such as in London and East Anglia and are doing a lot of miles in your vehicle give consideration at least to replacing your air filter early.

Asthmatics also should avoid going outdoors but if they must take their inhalers with them.

[Binnie]

filtration has come a long way since then NR. I'd be surprised if anyone would notice a difference.

a lot of cars natrually create a vortex before the air filter to cope with these particulates, you normally find the airbox filled a very fine dust, almost talc like, at the bottom