How Does an Automotive Air Filter Work?

[DiEliza]

An air filter is a device that removes particulate impurities from the air inside a vehicle. Its main components are the filter element and the housing. The working principle relies on the filtering medium as the primary means of filtration. When air passes through the filter-type air cleaner, the filter paper blocks impurities in the air and adheres them to the filter element, thereby achieving the air filtration effect. Air filters generally come in two types: paper and oil-bath, with the following differences: 1. Paper filters have high filtration efficiency, reaching over 99.5%; 2. Oil-bath filters typically have a filtration efficiency of 95-96%. The first type is widely used in vehicles today and is further divided into dry and wet types. For dry filter elements, once they come into contact with oil or moisture, the filtration resistance increases sharply. Therefore, avoid exposing them to water or oil during cleaning; otherwise, they must be replaced with new ones.