Air Filters

The engine air filter prevents dirt from entering the engine's cylinders, where it would cause mechanical wear and oil contamination. Most fuel injected vehicles use a pleated paper filter element in the form of a flat panel. This filter is usually placed inside a plastic box connected to the throttle body with an intake tube. Older vehicles that use carburetors or throttle body fuel injection typically use a cylindrical air filter, usually a few inches high and between 6 and 16 inches in diameter, positioned above the carburetor or throttle body and may incorporate ducting to provide cool and/or warm inlet air, and secured with a metal or plastic lid.

A Pleated paper filter element is used for most automobile engine air cleaners, because they are efficient, easy to service, and cost-effective. The pleated-paper filter is sized appropriately for the airflow volumes encountered in a particular application and present only minor restriction to air flow until the filter has become clogged with dirt.