English
العربية
فارسی
The car air filter is a simple device, yet it is very important for the healthy and optimal performance of your vehicle, and several different types of car air filters are produced. For proper internal combustion, your engine needs air. Oxygen and fuel mix together to create combustion. If either contains impurities such as dust, pollutant particles, gravel, etc., the engine cannot operate efficiently. Therefore, filtration must occur before the air reaches the engine, ensuring that it enters without contaminants. This is the function of the car air filter.
Over time, the lifespan of an air filter produced by any manufacturer ends, and it gradually loses its efficiency. A high-quality air filter is one that does not wear out before the expected time, which requires using high-quality raw materials. An unsuitable air filter can reduce your engine’s lifespan or damage other components.
Here are the main types of air filter materials you are likely to encounter in the automotive world:
1. Paper Filters
The most common type of air filter
Material:
-
Made from pleated cellulose paper, used in almost all air filters produced by factories.
-
Different from regular writing or printing paper; it is a highly compressed wood pulp, glued in a concertina style, and mounted on a rectangular base.
Advantages:
-
Affordable and efficient
-
Widely used
-
Easy to replace
Disadvantages:
-
Dust penetrates over time, restricting airflow
-
Lifespan depends on driving conditions, climate, and usage
-
Typically lasts 1–2 years
2. Cotton/Kenaf Filters
Commonly used in performance or high-flow applications
Material:
-
Made of dense layers of cotton fabric placed between aluminum mesh
-
Air passes through cotton for filtration
-
Often treated with oil to trap dust and particles
Advantages:
-
Increases engine life and performance
-
Can be cleaned and reused annually
-
Allows higher airflow → better engine power
Disadvantages:
-
Excessive oiling can affect the mass airflow sensor
-
Larger gaps may allow some dust to pass through
3. Foam Filters
Material:
-
Made of multiple layers of foam with different densities, plus a wire mesh to maintain shape
-
Often replaced by paper filters today
-
Still used in rally cars or high-speed vehicles
-
Uses oil to trap particles, similar to cotton filters
Advantages:
-
Effective in dusty or extreme conditions
-
Reusable with proper maintenance
Disadvantages:
-
Less common in everyday vehicles
-
Requires occasional oiling to maintain efficiency
4. Metal Filters
Material:
-
Constructed from stainless steel mesh layers
-
Highly efficient and do not require oiling
Disadvantages:
-
Gaps are larger than in cotton or foam, which may allow very fine dust particles to pass
-
Filtration efficiency can be lower for extremely fine pollutants
Other Considerations
The material and type of filter are not the only factors to consider when choosing a new air filter. Other important factors include:
-
Reputation and experience of the manufacturer
-
Reasonable price
-
Certification or standard compliance
These factors ensure that your new air filter performs reliably and protects your engine efficiently.
