The automobile air filter is the second frequent maintenance item besides engine oil. Generally, it is better to replace the air filter once every two maintenance. Because the air filter is the filter device at the air inlet of our engine, which is equivalent to the mask of the engine to ensure that the engine absorbs clean air.

If the air filter has been used for a long time, many fine impurities will accumulate on the filter element, which will cause air blockage, and the intake of the engine will be blocked. The intake of air will become less, which will lead to insufficient fuel combustion, not only affecting the power output of the engine, but also increasing fuel consumption.

In addition, the air filter shall not be damaged, or dust and sand will be sucked into the engine, causing irreversible damage to the engine.

At present, our automobile air filters are divided into dry type and wet type. The dry type is basically the paper filter element, while the wet type is the oil bath type or oil immersed type, which is relatively rare now. The air filter elements of our household cars are basically paper dry filter elements. The filtering efficiency of dust and impurities in the air can reach 99.5%, which can fully meet the requirements of our cars.

The paper filter element is actually afraid of water, because there are many micropores in the air filter element, which makes the filter element highly hygroscopic. The micropores will be blocked when the filter paper is stained with water. Moreover, if there is dust on the surface of the filter paper, the dust in the micropores will mix with water and become mud, blocking the micropores. Even if the filter paper is dried in the air at this time, the mud will stick tightly to the micropores of the filter paper when it becomes dry, causing serious insufficient air intake for the engine.

Even if the filter paper is clean, the newly bought filter paper cannot touch water. Because the filter paper soaked in water will deform after drying, and the shape, angle and size of the micropores will change. Therefore, the paper filter element cannot be cleaned with water at first, and it is also necessary to avoid our car washing water contacting the filter paper, and to avoid rain wetting the air filter. Once it contacts with water, it will change the air resistance and shorten its life.

If your local air quality is poor, PM2.5 is high, or you often go to the construction site or dusty places, the air filter will accumulate dust faster. You can remove the air filter during each maintenance. If you don't want to replace it, you can use a powerful fan to blow the dust off the filter paper, and then replace it at the next maintenance.