Air filter maintenance isn't the highest on the priority list for most daily driven town vehicles. But once you take your 4x4 into the dusty rural environments of Australia, the maintenance of your air filter will take on a whole other dimension. A properly maintained air filter is one of the three major maintenance events that have the most impact on maximising engine longevity. This is due to the fact that having clean, cool air reach the engine for the combustion process is essential in engine performance. The other two important maintenance events are changing the oil regularly when driving in harsh conditions, and making sure you use clean fuel.
However, oftentimes, your stock filter is beyond maintainable, so you might have to replace it with a new one. But this isn't necessarily a bad, or even difficult thing to do. Aftermarket filters, unlike most stock filters, are washable and offer improved flow. Having a brand new, clean air filter on your vehicle will provide you with many benefits.
The first and most important benefit of having a new, clean 4x4 air filter is that it's going to help protect your engine. Think about all the mess that hangs out on the front of your vehicle. It's constantly exposed to debris, water, mud, salt, bugs, leaves and many other things, and you don't want any of them getting inside your engine. Even though most of these things are quite small, they can cause huge problems. With that said, the air filters prevent all of this debris from getting to the engine, but as a result, they can become blocked, which also restricts airflow. Changing your 4x4 air filter frequently and washing it to keep it clean lets your engine get the air it needs.
The second benefit is improved performance. Airflow plays a huge part in the combustion process, which is the process responsible for making your vehicle move forward. The combustion process involves fuel and oxygen burning together, and if the quality of both these things isn't optimal, your vehicle's performance won't be either. As you can see, air filters are low-cost, big-impact items that are worth keeping in check. While there are some filters in the hundreds range, most of them aren't over a hundred dollars.
Lastly, an air filter can play a crucial role in how efficiently your vehicle burns fuel. Again, this has to do with the engine having to burn an optimal mix of clean oxygen with the fuel. So if there isn't enough air to burn the fuel with, you're going to lose on mileage. At the same time, a clean filter can help reduce the emissions of the vehicle. A dirty, clogged filter can hamper the emissions system, preventing it from doing its job properly.
But not all air filters are made the same. Usually, they can be made of either foam, cloth or paper. Besides the material, you'll have to choose between an OEM or an aftermarket filter. Aftermarket filters are the preferred option by most, as they come in a wide range of options, so you can customise your performance preferences. And of course, you'll have to make sure you get a filter from a well-known brand that has a proven track record. Some aftermarket filters look exactly the same as OEM units, and they come at a reduced price. However, also worth noting is that the use of an aftermarket air filter will probably result in dust-related warranty claims to be voided.
Paper filters are affordable, and this is what your vehicle probably has. These filters are made of industrial paper and they're folded in an accordion pattern so trap debris and dirt. However, these filters will need more frequent replacement. Foam filters, on the other hand, are usually made of polyurethane foam and are soaked in oil. This makes them ideal for off-road vehicles, and they're reusable and sturdy, but they'll also eventually clog. And lastly, cloth filters are usually made of cotton and are also soaked in oil. These filters are ideal for race car engines, and while they're more expensive than the other two options, they're considered the best.
No matter which type of filter you end up choosing, make sure you maintain and change it frequently. While there are no rules when it comes to filter changes in dusty conditions, you should look to wash it or change it every 10.000-15.000 kilometres. If you're driving it around the town exclusively, then you can probably postpone the schedule for another 10.000 kilometres. However, as soon as you go into the dirt with your vehicle, you should become aware of the amount of dirt you may be ingesting, and you'll have to act accordingly. If you notice dirt in the throat of the airbox, or if you see contaminants in the inner ring of the filter, then you probably need to upgrade your maintenance cycle.
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