What is a symptom of a clogged fuel filter?

A clogged fuel filter restricts the flow of fuel to the engine, which can lead to a variety of performance issues. One of the primary symptoms of this condition is engine hesitation or difficulty starting. When a fuel filter is clogged, it doesn’t allow an adequate amount of fuel to reach the engine’s combustion system. This can result in insufficient fuel pressure, which affects engine performance, causing symptoms like stalling, hesitation during acceleration, and difficulty starting because the engine is not getting the necessary fuel to operate efficiently.

In contrast, engine overheating, increased oil consumption, and low battery voltage are symptoms related to different systems within a vehicle. Overheating typically involves issues with the cooling system, increased oil consumption can indicate engine wear or oil leaks, and low battery voltage is associated with the electrical system. While these problems can affect engine performance, they are not directly related to a clogged fuel filter.