Air intake filter is something that motorists can never take a light look at. Air intake filter blocks out contaminants like dust, smoke, water, oil, etc. Allowing the dirt to reach your air compressor reduces the efficiency and life of your engine.

It is through the air intake that the engine of a vehicle breathes – takes enough oxygen to burn the fuel. An air intake filter filters out harmful elements like dust and protects the engine from damages.

Air intake filter really is not a expensive piece, but can include a cone or circular structure, made mainly of fibrous material like cotton. The filtering material comes with a metal (or sometimes plastic) housing.

Bad or clogged air intake filter can reduce the efficiency of your engine, thereby consuming more fuel and giving out more smoke. A better-maintained air intake filter can facilitate additional gains to the tune of 20-30 HP.

You will need to change the air filter quite often, if you drive your vehicle through dusty or smoky areas quite too often. Look at the colour of the air filter material. If it has changed black, it is time to change your air intake filter.

Branded products and new patent applications for air intake filter come on a regular basis. They promise high airflow filters. There are however other restrictions like the size of the air intake tube and air compressors that limit the effectiveness of an advanced air intake filter.

Maintaining your vehicle at optimum conditions, like maintaining the air intake filter at tiptop condition can give you additional horsepower for same amount of fuel and extended life for your engine.