Filtration
Engine Air Filter Market Trends The Car Care Council Survey Found 84% of Vehicles are lacking General Routine Maintenance Filtration is an important component to the life of a vehicle. Engine air filters remove dirt, dust and other contaminants from the engine intake before it reaches vital engine parts like cylinder walls, pistons and piston rings. Engine Air Filters Contribute to Green Initiatives Air filters help reduce vehicle emissions and burn less fuel 2
An Air Filter s Job is to Clean All that Air Before it Reaches the Engine. There are three primary filters on a vehicle that protect and optimizes performance. These are Fuel, Oil and Air Filters. The most critical being the air filter. The common types of vehicle air filters are panel and round. Panel Round A typical vehicle engine can draw 10,000 gallons of clean air for every gallon of fuel it burns. 3
Most Customers Do Not Realize the Importance of a Clean Engine Air Filter Changing the air filter should be part of a routine maintenance schedule. Show and compare a clean engine air filter to a dirty filter. A clogged engine air filter can hinder the fuel to air ratio needed for the best engine performance. Changing their engine air filter can keep contaminants from damaging vital engine parts. Sluggish performance or loss of engine power is a strong indicator of a need for an air filter change. The Filter Manufacturer's Council recommends inspecting the air filter every time the oil is changed (every three to six months), and replacing every 12,000 miles for preventive maintenance. 4
Air Filter Construction Materials quality air filter will trap at least Aofgood incoming dirt. 97.5 percent Filter manufacturers use ISO 5011 test procedures to evaluate their air filters, and try to aim for the best balance between filtering efficiency, filter capacity and pressure drop (restriction). low-quality filters are typically less efficient and Cheap, may not have as much holding capacity as a quality brand name filter. Most of today s dry paper pleated element air filters are made of a mixture of cellulose fibers. Better-quality media in filters are also treated with resins so they can withstand moisture. media in filters may be damaged if rain Untreated enters the air filter housing. Close-up of common air filter cellulose fibers 5
Air Filter Program Why is Replacing a Dirty Filter Beneficial? Quality Air Filters that are changed every 12,000 miles or once a year can: Improve overall engine performance Reduce engine emissions Keep the engine running smoother STP or FRAM Quality Air Filter features: A filter that meets or exceeds all OE requirements for fit and function A more economical filter with the same or better engine protection The most critical filter for improved overall engine performance 6
Air Filter Service How to Service: The Do s Follow your owners manual instructions The vehicles manufacturers instructions on filter installations and scheduled maintenance are important to the life of your vehicles engine. Always clean the inside of the housing carefully - Dirt left in the air cleaner housing can damage your engine. Use a clean, water-dampened cloth to wipe every surface clean. Check it visually to make sure it s clean before putting in a new element. Always clean the gasket sealing surfaces of the housing - An improper gasket seal is one of the most common causes of engine contamination. Make sure that all dirt is completely removed, both on the bottom and top of the cleaner. 7
Air Filter Service How to Service: The Do s Check for uneven dirt patterns on your old element - Your old element is a valuable clue to dust leakage or gasket sealing problems. A pattern on the element clean side is a sign that the old element was not firmly sealed or that a dust leak exists. Make certain the cause of that leak is identified and rectified before replacing the element. Inspect your filter - The correct way to inspect a panel air filter, or a round air filter in an older vehicle, is to remove the filter from its housing and hold a shop light behind it. A little discoloration is normal, but if the filter is dark and blocks the light, it is overdue for a change. Look for any imperfections - make sure the new filter has a good seal and there are no visible gaps or uneven breaks or dents in the media or gasket seals. 8
Air Filter Service How to Service: The Don ts Don t overlook a worn or damaged gasket in the housing - If your cleaner has a cover gasket, replace it with a new one. Always check to be sure no piece of the old gasket is worn. If your filter model calls for a new gasket with each use, never reuse the old one. Never rinse, shake or rap an element to clean it - Rapping hard enough to knock off dust often damages the element and destroys your engine protection. Deeply embedded dirt is never released by tapping. This is not a good cost saving method to reuse an old filter. Don t use a dented filter element - Never install a dented or punctured element, because it cannot protect properly against contamination. A dent can make a firm seal impossible or can indicate damaged media. 9
Air Filter Service How to Service: The Don ts Never use a warped cover on a housing - Replace with a new cover as soon as possible. A warped or damaged cover cannot make a proper seal. Also check to make sure there is not damage to the air cleaner housing that could cause a leak. Never substitute an incorrect element model number - Elements may look almost identical but can differ by a fraction of an inch in length difference that makes a positive firm seal impossible. You re always better off referencing the Znet/AutoZone Filtration Catalog for proper filter specifications and correct application. 10
Filtration