How Do Car Air Filters Work?
What Engine Air Filters Do The modern combustion engine needs a free flow of air to operate properly. Since it draws this essential air in from outside the engine, small particles of dust, dirt, oil and even small obstructions like gravel have a way to get inside the engine. Once inside, these particles can contaminate engine oil and act as an abrasive, causing premature engine wear. To prevent this, air filters are installed on all modern combustion engines. Air is drawn into the engine through a tube, but it must first pass through the filter before it can reach the engine. The filter catches all of these particles and deposits. Because they accumulate over time, filters must be replaced or cleaned regularly. How Standard Paper Filters Work Most engine air filters use paper as their primary filtration medium. On newer cars, the filter is rectangular in shape and is filled with several pleated layers of a mesh-like paper that resembles an anti-static dryer sheet. It is usually housed
