How Often To Change Cold Air Intake Filter

cold air intake installed on a dodge charger hemi v 8 engine

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What Is Cold Air Intake Filter Cleaning?

Cold air intake filter cleaning is necessary to maintain the fuel economy of your automobile. When properly maintained, the cold air intake will increase the car'southward horsepower by increasing the flow of air to the engine. It also can help improve your gas mileage every bit it will improve combustion and ensure that all of the fuel is properly ignited.

Keeping your common cold air intake well-maintained requires that your filter be properly cleaned and costless of debris. Since so much air regularly passes through the filter, it tin can quickly become covered in dust and grime. A good dominion of thumb is to clean your cold air intake filter every time that you need to have your oil changed. The process is elementary and simply takes a few minutes.

Types of Cold Air Intake Filter Cleaners

In that location are iii types of common cold air intake filter cleaners you can cull from. Choosing the right one will depend on the method you prefer for application and the type of debris on your air filter.

Aerosols: Aerosol options, like Yard&N Air Filter Oil which is formulated to penetrate and saturate the pleats of your air filter quickly and easily to loosen and remove grime.
Spray: Spray options, like K&Due north Air Filter Cleaner and Degreaser, uses a targeted straight spray method to reach the pleats on your filter. The spray contains a degreasing agent which helps to quickly deliquesce the crud and buildup on your filter.
Kits: Y'all can also opt for an intake filter cleaning kit, like Volant 5100 Recharge/Cleaning Kit for Gas Engines. The kit includes both a cleaner to remove debris from your filter and an air filter oil to help maximize your filter's efficiency.

How to Choose a Common cold Air Intake Filter Cleaner

When choosing the right filter cleaner for your cold air intake, it is critical to detect one that tin thoroughly saturate the filter and properly dissolve the dirt and grime without damaging the pleats. The cleaner should be gentle only have powerful degreasing properties to exist able to work through tough buildup. You lot too want to be sure that your cleaner does non leave whatsoever residue behind.

Since part of the process involves oiling your filter afterwards cleaning, y'all may desire to choose a kit so you have both the cleaner and oil from the same make to maximize results.

1 important thing to notation when choosing your cleaning kit is making sure y'all choose the right 1 for the model of air filter in your machine. Each kit is colored and the color of the kit is designed to match the colour of the air filter it'south made to clean. Brand sure that y'all choose ane that matches to ensure the filter is cleaned properly without risking damaging it.

How to Use Common cold Air Intake Filter Cleaner

Disclaimer: The guidelines in this story are general and not meant to supercede instructions for your specific vehicle. Please consult your owner's manual or repair guide before attempting repairs.

The process of cleaning your cold air intake filter is simple and simply requires a few unproblematic steps to go your filter back in shape and functioning equally it should.

Step one: Preparation

Yous will need to start past removing the filter from your vehicle. After opening the hood, clean the sealing area that contains the filter and the filter housing unit with a make clean microfiber rag. Then, utilise a screwdriver to loosen the mounting band on the air filter and gently pull the filter free.

Step 2: Clean the Filter

Start by gently tapping your filter on a hard surface which will help to loosen and remove some of the larger, dry out particles and droppings from the pleats. If you lot however see bugs or other large pieces you can utilise a soft brush to loosen or remove them.

Liberally apply the filter cleaning solution, making certain to get into the crevices of the filter. By the time the application is done the filter should be saturated. The cleaner should stay on the filter for as long as indicated on the cleaner bottle or package.

Afterwards the cleaner has had time to work, yous will demand to rinse the cleaner out of the filter thoroughly. Use warm, low pressure h2o and part the pleats gently to brand certain all of the cleaner is removed. There should be no visible balance left from the cleaner when you're done.

Pace 3: Dry Your Filter

After rinsing, you will want to lightly shake the excess water out of your filter to permit information technology to dry quicker. While you tin proceed to the next step after allowing the filter to dry for 30 minutes to an 60 minutes, for optimal results y'all should let your filter dry overnight if possible.

Pace 4: Oil Your Filter

The next step is to oil your filter. This will aid to prevent corrosion and likewise protect against heavy dirt buildup. Determine how much oil your filter will need and fill the applicator up with the correct amount. Kickoff in the centre of the filter and make two or 3 passes around the centre of the filter, applying the oil.

Repeat this same procedure in even spaces to the top and lesser of the filter to ensure an fifty-fifty coat while making certain non to over oil the air filter. Then, permit the oil to seep into the filter for twenty to 30 minutes.

Step 5: Inspection and Reinstallation

Permit the oil to dry out and and so inspect the filter, checking for white areas to find spots the oil missed. If yous find whatsoever, use the applicator to employ a small amount of oil to these spots and allow dry out. One time the oil has completely dried on the filter, utilize your screwdriver to remount the filter. Wipe the surface of the seal with a clean cloth once installed.

Keeping your cold air intake filter clean and well maintained will amend your vehicle'south fuel efficiency and help your engine to perform meliorate for longer.