AUTOMOTIVE BLOG: Air Filter

BEHAVIOR

Air filters remove much of the particulate load in the air, keeping it out

of the engine. Dirt in the air could clog small openings in the engine,

restricting the flow of air or abrading parts.

HABITAT

Air filters sit directly above the engine.

HOW IT WORKS

Most air filters today are made of resin-impregnated paper supported by a rim of plastic with a urethane gasket. The paper is folded or pleated to create a large surface area. Some filter elements have dimples to further increase the surface area so more particles are arrested. Incoming air has to travel through many sheets of paper before entering the engine’s intake valves.

Older cars used oil bath filters. In these filters, larger particles are thrown into the oil bath where they are trapped. The oil bath needs to be changed periodically. Smaller particles are caught in a fibrous material that surrounds the oil bath.

INTERESTING FACT

For every gallon of gasoline consumed about 10,000 gallons of air are sucked through an air filter.