Air filters are a little bit like a dust mask for your engine. They act as a first line of defense, capturing tiny and potentially damaging particles before they reach your cylinders. Your truck will run without one, but a buildup of small abrasive particles could lead to cylinder damage or cause clogs in various engine components.
Over time, the material in the air filters will eventually clog up. On average, you should switch out an air filter every 15,000 miles or so. Though you may have to switch your filter more often if your truck works in particularly dusty or polluted environments. Some filters, like the S&B Filters Replacement Filter for S&B Cold Air Intake Kit (Cleanable, 8-ply Cotton) KF-1050, can be cleaned and will last longer as a result. A filter wrap like the S&B Filters Filter Wrap for KF-1050 & KF-1050D WF-1031 can protect your filter and extend its life.
A “clogged” filter isn’t going to stop your truck from working instantly, but it will hamper performance more and more until it is eventually cleaned or replaced. The less air an engine takes in, the less fuel it can burn and the less efficient it is.
The S&B Filters Precision II: Cleaning & Oil Kit is designed for cleaning out diesel fuel filters, but could be used to extend the life of an ailing air filter if needed. The kit clears out some of the filter’s tiny holes that have become clogged with general use. While this is a great way to improve vehicle performance in a pinch, a full replacement is always the best route. Especially considering the relatively low cost of air filters and the ease of replacing them.
