The air filter is an indispensable part in the daily maintenance of the vehicle. It seems simple, but it actually has a high technical content. At present, there are many brands of air filters on the spare parts market, and the product technology level and quality are uneven.
So, how can you find a high-quality air filter? Today we will teach you how to identify it from the following six aspects.
1. Filtration efficiency of filter media
The function of the air filter is to filter out various particles in the air to prevent these impurities from wearing out the engine. Therefore, the density of the filter material becomes one of the determining factors of the air filter performance. Only a filter element with high filtration efficiency can ensure the worry-free operation of the engine.
2. Ash capacity
As the usage time increases, the gaps in the air filter will be slowly blocked by impurities in the air, causing the air flow to decrease. At this time, a new air filter needs to be replaced. Under the premise of the same filtration efficiency, an air filter product with a higher dust capacity can extend the replacement cycle and thus reduce maintenance costs.
3. Sealing performance
In addition to the filter material, the sealing performance cannot be ignored in order to ensure the good filtering effect of the air filter. First, the shape of the filter element should be “tightly matched” with the filter housing. Secondly, the foam material around the filter element should be sufficiently elastic and will not deform or age and fail under the long-term high temperature of the engine.
4. Structural strength
When the engine is running, the air filter needs to withstand the impact of the intake air flow. Don’t underestimate this point. It is not uncommon for some low-quality air filters to be torn into pieces by the air flow and sucked into the engine, causing malfunctions. Therefore, a high-quality air filter also needs to have a certain structural strength to ensure that it will not be deformed or even damaged.
5. Flame retardant properties
In some special cases, such as engine overheating or intake backfire, the air filter may also be affected by high temperature or even directly exposed to open flames. Therefore, choosing an air filter with flame retardant effect can reduce the risk of “spontaneous combustion” and thus improve the safety of the vehicle.
6. Waterproof
As a paper product, the air filter also has a certain degree of water absorption. When used in humid areas for a long time, the damp air filter is more likely to mold and rot, which will cause the filter material to be damaged. In addition, the filter material will also absorb too much moisture in the air, which will lead to a decrease in air intake efficiency. Therefore, the filter material itself must also have a certain degree of waterproof performance.
Well, the above is an air filter “buying guide” we prepared for you. I believe you can easily find a high-quality air filter product by referring to it.
