Take a deep breath and find out why you need to regularly check your 4WD’s air filter to prolong your engine’s life and for optimum performance. When was the last time you checked your 4WD’s air filter? Amazingly, most people…
Take a deep breath and find out why you need to regularly check your 4WD’s air filter to prolong your engine’s life and for optimum performance.
When was the last time you checked your 4WD’s air filter?
Amazingly, most people will regularly check their oil, windscreen fluid, tyre pressure and myriad other details of their vehicle before heading off-road. But rarely take a peek at the condition of their air filter. That’s a big mistake.
Why is an air filter important for 4WD off-roading?
An air filter is an integral part of any engine’s system. And if it’s clogged with dust and dirt, it can strangle your motor for air, possibly causing it to consume more fuel and have less “oomph” when you hit the pedal.
Think of the air filter as your engine’s lungs. Now think about it. If your lungs aren’t functioning at their full capacity, supplying your body with clean fresh air, you wouldn’t be able to run or work very well either. Any vehicle’s engine needs a supply of clean, uncontaminated air to run well and to prevent damage.
And if you spend a lot of time off-roading, your filter is going to be up against a lot more intensive dirt, dust, and contaminants than your average car. So, it’s best to have the right filter and to check it often.
How to choose the right 4WD air filter
Since an air filter is so vital to the overall health, performance, and lifespan of your truck, it’s equally important to choose the right and best filter for your vehicle and its use.
To withstand Australia’s harsher climate and landscapes, you’ll certainly need something that has a high-holding dust capacity. Like the highly specialised synthetic or multiple-layered construction Ryco filters. The company’s filters were designed with Australian drivers in mind, using the country’s only dedicated filtration laboratory along with the most stringent testing procedures.
Does my 4WD air filter need to be OEM?
While you want OEM for most engine components, you can absolutely use third-party air filters for your 4WD. Of course, the caveat is you’ll want to make sure it is an equal or superior filter. A poor-quality filter is going to let more dirt in and straight into your engine’s vital components. Can we say, “premature engine wear and damage?”
So, look for something like the Ryco filters – tested for Australia’s climate – and also designed to meet or exceed manufacturer’s performance requirements – and they’re also usually more affordable too!
Tips to avoid choking your 4WD air filter
Of course, if you want to give your new air filter a bit of a breather, consider how you’re driving.
If you like to off-road with a bunch of mates in a convoy, try to leave a bit of space between your vehicles. If you’re riding almost bumper-to-bumper behind someone else’s 4WD, your poor air filter is going to be trying to power through a cloud of dust and debris.
Another option is to install what’s called an “intake snorkel”. This moves the air intake from engine height to your vehicle’s roof. These are more commonly installed for drivers that do more heavy water crossings, but they can also serve to get fresher and cleaner air down to your engine when the front is in a cloud of dust.
Or you could go solo. That’s always an option.
Just remember, before you do head off road, check your oil, fluids, tyre pressure – AND your air filter. If it’s ready to change, pick up a Ryco air filter at a location near you.