Why does my Jeep Cherokee feel sluggish — could a clogged air filter be the reason? Detail:

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Why does my Jeep Cherokee feel sluggish — could a clogged air filter be the reason? Detail:

My 2015 Jeep Cherokee has started feeling sluggish, especially during acceleration. Fuel economy has also ped noticeably. A local mechanic in Islamabad suggested the air filter might be clogged due to dust and pollution. I usually drive in city traffic and havent replaced the air filter in over a year. How often should the air filter be changed in Pakistan, and can a dirty filter really cause this much performance ?

Talha Kyanii asked on 15 Oct 2025 15:20:49 pm

1 Answer

11 views |

Gari Master - on 15 Oct 2025 15:22:08 pm

Yes, a clogged air filter is a very common cause of poor engine performance, especially in dusty urban areas like Lahore, Karachi, o r Islamabad. The air filter prevents dust and dirt from entering your engine. When it’s clogged, the engine doesn’t get enough air, which leads to:

Sluggish acceleration

Poor fuel efficiency

Engine misfires in some cases

🔧 What You Should Do:

Check and replace the air filter every 10,000–15,000 km in Pakistan more often if you drive off-road o r in high-dust zones.

Use OEM o r high-quality aftermarket filters brands like Mopar, Bosch, o r Fram.

You can visually inspect it—if it looks dark, dusty, o r has visible debris, it’s time to replace.

👉 Keeping a clean air filter ensures better performance, lower fuel costs, and longer engine life.