This post was last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 04:38 am
Cleaning your K&N air filter is an essential part of maintaining your car. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, resulting in reduced performance and fuel efficiency. Even worse, a clogged or dirty air filter can lead to engine damage! Therefore, you need to keep your air filter clean for optimum performance. But how often should it be cleaned? And what is the best way to do so?
The answers depend on the type of air filter you have, but there are some steps that are consistent no matter what. Here are 5 simple steps to keep your K&N Air Filter clean!
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Steps to clean your K&N Air Filter
Remove the filter from the vehicle after running for at least five minutes to allow it time to warm up.
The first step to keep your filter clean is by running it for at least five minutes after every ride. This will allow the engine to warm up and circulate air through the entire system, which can help reduce dust buildup on your filter.
If you’re unable to run your vehicle for that long, try removing the filter from the car and letting it sit in direct sunlight for an hour before putting it back in. This should help loosen any dirt or grime that has built up over time.
Place the filter into a bucket of hot water with dish soap or another mild detergent.
The second step is putting the filter into a bucket of hot water with dish soap or other mild detergents. It is recommended not to use gasoline. It will be easier if you have two buckets, one for washing and another for rinsing. Once you put the filter in, let it soak for about 10 minutes.
Then rinse off all the soap with cold water until no more bubbles appear when you squeeze the filter between your fingers. Let it dry overnight before reinstalling your vehicle.
Use an old toothbrush or similar brush-type tool to scrub off any dirt or debris stuck onto your filter.
Use a toothbrush or similar brush-type tool to scrub off any dirt or debris stuck onto your filter. Then use compressed air or water to remove any excess grime from the outside of the filter.
This will help keep the air flowing through it cleanly and clear, which is a good thing because if you don’t do this regularly, dirt can build up within the housing of the filter itself, causing all kinds of problems with engine performance as well as exhaust fumes coming out at high volumes when driving on open roads. You should also vacuum up any loose material that may be sitting around inside the car’s cabin after cleaning.
Rinse thoroughly under running water
Rinse thoroughly under running water until all traces of soap have been removed from both sides of the air filter. Make sure to use cold water when rinsing because hot water will cause oil residue in the pores to swell and block them up again.
Once you’re done with that, apply the oil directly onto the surface of the paper element and let it sit for about five minutes before wiping away all traces of oil residue with a dry cloth or towel.
Allow 24 hours before reinstalling back into your car.
Once all the steps are performed, allow 24 hours before reinstalling back into your car so that it can dry completely before being used again. Make sure to place it correctly before reattaching everything. In most cases, the airflow direction will go towards the front part of the vehicle. However, if yours goes toward the rear, simply reverse the airflow direction by placing where the arrow points instead.
If possible, use the existing mounting holes since it makes things much easier. Otherwise, carefully drill two small pilot holes first to ensure that these aren’t damaging to anything later. A power screwdriver would work best here.
The Bottom Line
It doesn’t take long before the dirt and grime start to build upon your K& N air filter. If you want to keep your car running at its best, you need clean filters that are free of debris. The above-discussed steps will help you restore your vehicle’s performance by cleaning out all that gunk from inside your air filter.