Thousands of truck owners have a habit of frequently changing their air filters. The EPA and certain technicians claim that changing your semi truck air filters will improve your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, while a poorly maintained filter will compromise the performance and power of the vehicle’s engine, which is true for both trucks and cars.
Here’s what you need to know to manage and maintain your semi-truck’s air system.
The Two Types of Air Filters
There are two main types of air filters for semi-trucks.
Paper Filters
Paper filters are among the most common. Over 60% of trucks use these filters, which strike a balance between both affordability and functionality. In most cases, you should replace your air filter every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. Compared to other air filter models, paper filters are readily available while remaining cheap. However, the cost of maintaining and replacing these types of filters will increase over time.
Gauze Filters
Gauze filters have become one of the most popular options because of their ease of cleaning. Compared paper filters, gauze filters are extremely durable and can last for a long time. If you want to upgrade your air filters, you should choose gauze filters, as these will likely outlive your semi.
How Often You Should Change Your Air Filters
Manufacturers recommend truck owners perform regular inspections of their air filters, but the need to replace them should be minimal. You should only change your filters after specific intervals have passed, as frequently replacing your filters will simply result in lost money. In areas with cleaner air such as rural, suburban or clean urban locations, you can go without changing your filter for around 20,000 miles. If the truck is used in dirty conditions, you’ll likely want to change, as stated, every 10,000-15,000 miles.
How to Perform a Proper Inspection of Your Truck’s Air Filter
Inspecting your vehicle’s air filter isn’t complicated and won’t take much time. If your filter has visible dirt particles, this will indicate that it’s time to maintain or change your filter. When the dust and dirt is removed, you can benefit from a working filter once again. If you want to inspect your air filter, simply shine a 100-watt bulb on the filter and see if the light travels through at least half of the air filter. If the light can’t get through that far, chances are you need to replace or service your air filter.
With the help of professional and experienced technicians in a normal vehicle inspection, you can better determine if it’s time to clean or replace your filters.
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