How To Clean Cold Air Intake Filter

Cold air intakes are air filtering systems that are designed to be installed into vehicles that are already equipped with clogged air filters. The goal is to create a source of additional airflow into the engine by removing the clogged air filter altogether and replacing it with a much larger one.

There is protection for this airflow circuit in the form of a filter that catches any particles or dust that might be introduced into your gas-powered vehicle’s system. This is why it’s so important to keep this filter clean.

The cold air intakes boost performance by increasing the amount of air going to the engine. Unfortunately, there is also a lot of dirt and grime that goes with the extra airflow.

The additional flow of air also means that you have to clean your cold air intake filter more often because there is a lot more air going through it.

This article explains how to clean cold air intake filter. The instructions are easy to follow and can be done with basic hand tools.

How To Clean Cold Air Intake Filter – Easy Guide

Cleaning your cold air intake filter can be both time-consuming and hard. Follow these steps to quickly and easily clear the dirt & debris off of your cold air intake filter:

1. Remove Cold Air Intake Filter

Start by removing the cold air intake filter from your vehicle. To do this, use a wrench or socket set to remove the clogged filter assembly by turning it counterclockwise. Remember the exact torque setting for removing your cold air intake filter will depend on your vehicle’s manufacturer specifications.

2. Make Sure Filter Surface Is Clear of Debris

Carefully examine the filter assembly for any dirt or debris that may have gotten stuck to it during your road trip or regular commute. Use a soft, clean rag with warm soapy water, and gently scrub any visible particles away from the surface of the filter media.

3. Give Filter Media A Thorough Rinse

Make sure that the filter media surface is completely free of any dirt or debris. Once you are certain that it’s absolutely clean, go ahead and rinse off the whole assembly under warm, running tap water. Use your hands to gently squeeze out excess moisture from the filter media.

4. Allow Filter To Dry Before Reassembling

Allow the filter assembly to dry completely before you reassemble it back onto your cold air intake system. Place the assembly in a safe, non-metallic location that is free of debris and away from any machinery or moving parts that might damage it.

5. Reinstall Cold Air Intake Filter Assembly

Reinstall your cold air intake filter assembly by following the torque specification for your vehicle’s make and model. Remember to twist the cold air intake filter onto the clogged assembly clockwise to secure it back into place.

6. Test Drive Your Vehicle To Check Performance

After following the steps above, take your vehicle for a test drive. This will allow you to check if there is any difference in how your car runs after cleaning the cold air intake filter. If everything looks good and you feel like there’s no change, then your job is done.

If you feel like there is a difference and your car seems to be running differently, then it’s time for you to check the hardware and see if everything is back in working order.

7. Check Hardware To Make Sure Everything Is Tight & Secure

Spend some time double-checking all of your vehicle’s hardware to make sure that everything is tight and secure. Check the clogged air intake system for any bolts or screws that need tightening, making sure to use a torque wrench if you have one.

What Attachment To Use When Cleaning Cold Air Intake Filter?

Appropriate cleaning tools should always be used for any type of cleaning. For example, a feather duster or a microfiber cloth will do when it comes to dusting off a mirror or a large area of distressed furniture.

When it comes to cleaning your cold air intake filter, you should use an attachment that is designed for the job. This means using either a foam brush (for small areas), a car washing brush (for large areas), or a gardening hose (to flush away heavy debris).

When cleaning your cold air intake filter, you should always avoid using implements such as sharp objects and wire brushes. These types of tools will damage the filter media and affect its performance.

What Type Of Filter Material Should You Use?

When it comes to cold air intake filters, the filter material should be made out of a type of material that can easily trap in small dirt particles while still allowing a decent amount of airflow through.

In most cases, the best choice for your cold air intake filter is one that is made from either cotton or polyester. These types of materials are known to trap even the smallest particles of dirt and can still pass an adequate amount of air through them.

How do you clean a reusable cold air intake filter?

To clean a reusable air intake system, you should use a high-pressure water cleaner. Be sure to wait until the filter material has completely dried out before placing it back into your car’s cold air intake system.

Alternatively, you can also try using a cloth or paper towel to wipe off any excess dirt on the filter material. However, you should be sure to only use this method if you are planning on replacing your reusable air intake system’s filter material with a new one soon after.

To clean your entire cold air intake filter system, follow these steps:

1) Start by disconnecting the filter from the engine

2) Use a high-pressure water cleaner to spray off the filter material

3) Wipe off any excess dirt build-up with a cloth or paper towel

4) Allow the filter to dry completely before placing it back into your car’s cold air intake system. You can also try using compressed air to dry it out even faster.

When To Clean My Cold Air Intake Filter System?

Keep in mind that a clogged cold air intake filter system will affect your car’s performance. For this reason, you should try to get into the habit of checking and cleaning it regularly at least once per month.

A clogged cold air intake filter will also cause your vehicle to burn extra fuel (and money) when it comes to its fuel efficiency. If you are looking for a way to improve your car’s overall performance, make sure that you check and clean your cold air intake filter at least once per month.

Moreover, a clogged or dirty cold air intake filter can damage your engine if it is left untreated for too long. Over time, the dirt that has been trapped in your system will cause parts of the engine to corrode and rust, which can become dangerous for your vehicle’s performance.

In addition, a dirty cold air intake filter won’t let enough air pass through and will cause your car’s performance to suffer as a result. For this reason, we recommend getting into the habit of clearing out any dirt or debris that has accumulated in your system at least once per month.

What If You Find That Your Cold Air Intake Filter Is Broken?

If you find that your cold air intake filter is broken, then it’s best to replace it with a new one as soon as possible. A clogged or dirty cold air intake filter system will lead to increased fuel consumption over time, so be sure to check and clean yours regularly to avoid this from happening.

In addition to preventing rust and corrosion damage, a new cold air intake filter can also help your car’s overall performance since it will allow an adequate amount of air to pass through while keeping the dirt particles out.

Final Thoughts

You can increase your car’s overall performance and fuel efficiency by making sure that the cold air intake filter is kept clean. Luckily, you can easily do this yourself at home with a few simple tools such as an old brush or vacuum cleaner.

When cleaning out your cold air intake system, make sure to avoid using implements such as sharp objects or heavy machinery since they may cause damage to the system. If you are not able to clean it yourself, contact your local car parts shop for assistance.

Also, be sure to check and clean your cold air intake filter at least once per month to avoid any problems with dirt or debris clogging up your system. If the material inside is dirty or wet, then allow a couple of days for it to dry before placing it back into your car’s engine compartment.