| Most automobile owners are aware that a filter is | | | | engine light to come on. For most people this is a |
| used to capture and remove the dirty air particles | | | | trip to the automobile mechanic to diagnose the |
| from the outside air that leads into the engine | | | | problem. |
| combustion compartments. In the vehicles of | | | | Solution |
| today you have two commonly different types | | | | If you car is a newer 90s or later, stay with the |
| that are being used, paper and a K&N filter. | | | | manufactures type of filter unless you are a |
| The paper filter is just that, a filter that is made | | | | backyard mechanic that really knows what he |
| out of paper products (in most cars). The K&N | | | | she is doing. If you are using a K&N filter, do not |
| filter is made of a mesh with a cotton filter | | | | over oil the filter and make sure to remove any |
| medium and coated with light oil to aid in the | | | | excess. |
| capture of the dirt particles. Both products work | | | | Experience |
| great when used in the proper context for which | | | | I am one of those backyard mechanics that |
| they are designed. | | | | thought I knew what I was doing. About 6 |
| The Problem | | | | months ago I put a K&N filter in my Izusu Rodeo |
| Paper filters are designed to capture the dirt | | | | (my wife's car) to save money on the cost of |
| through the paper and can be plugged fairly | | | | the paper filters. This last week my check engine |
| quickly. It is advisable to check your air filter at | | | | came on and the reason, you guessed it; the oil |
| least every 10,000 miles or so. When it becomes | | | | from my air filter plugged the sensor going into |
| dirty you just replace it with a new one. | | | | the engines intake. |
| K&N filters are designed to capture the dirt just | | | | I have always used K&N filters on my vehicles to |
| like a paper filter but do not become plugged as | | | | aid in the air flow to the engine and over the long |
| quickly. When they do, you just remove them, | | | | haul reduce air filter costs. After the trip to the |
| wash them out with a little soap and water, | | | | auto dealer to find out what caused the engine |
| spread on a light oil and re-install. The problem is | | | | light to come on and being a little embarrassed, I |
| that the oil can cause problems in the newer cars | | | | just went back to paper on the Rodeo. I still use |
| today because of sensors placed between the | | | | fibrous filters on my truck, motorcycles, and dune |
| filter and air intake. If the filter has too much oil | | | | buggy. |
| applied it can get on the sensor, causing your | | | | |