Where we go, the air isn't always clean, the fuel isn't always contaminant-free, and the oil...well, let's just say the oil has a lot of work to do keeping our engines spinning during full-throttle assaults across mud holes, up rock faces, and through sandy washes. The saving grace of any truck is the filters. Filters are like the bouncer at your favorite bar. He lets all the pretty girls in and keeps the dirtbags out. Everyone knows you need to change your filters at regular intervals, but here in this latest Back to Basics installment we'll explain why it's important to do so. K&N has been making performance air filters for over 35 years with a unique design. Four to six layers of woven cotton gauze in the filter element are soaked in oil then surrounded by two layers of coated aluminum wire mesh to catch particles while still allowing the air to rush through at flow rates better than stock. Every K&N filter goes through dyno testing, so it not only fits perfectly but also produces horsepower gains over stock due to the greater airflow. K&N also offers a line of universal-style cone filters and a new line of Baja proven off-road filters. Oil is both coolant and bearing-surface protection that battles the heat and friction in your engine. No air filter is 100 percent efficient; some tiny particles make their way into the oil system through the engine breather system or the combustion chamber. Internal engine components slowly wear, but in most cases these small pieces of metal contaminants are minimal unless the engine has encountered lubrication or mechanical problems. Fram offers a full line of oil filters including the High Mileage, Extra Guard, Tough Guard, and Extended Guard. Laboratory testing is done to verify exactly how much airflow the K&N filters offer as well as how much dirt the filters can collect. Best of all, these filters can be cleaned and reoiled for multiple uses, and they often last as long as you own your truck.Laboratory testing is done to verify exactly how much airflow the K&N filters offer as wel Fram specializes in drop-in replacement filters for cars and trucks. Its Tough Guard filter is for dirty off-road situations. Recently Fram introduced washable air filters that can be cleaned in a bucket of soapy water and reinstalled after drying.Fram specializes in drop-in replacement filters for cars and trucks. Its Tough Guard filte Air filters trap the large items that make their way into the air intake vent. Many particles suspended in the air cannot be seen by the eye. These come from road dust, tire wear, diesel soot, and other sources. The air filter will capture a high percentage of these small particles. If mud, dust, and dirt are in your commute then you might want more than an old T-shirt draped over your intake.Air filters trap the large items that make their way into the air intake vent. Many partic Filters are not exclusive to oil and air. Fuel also needs to be clean. The more filters the fuel travels through, the better protected are the fuel pump, injectors, and carb. Most late-model fuel systems have some sort of filter in the tank at the pickup and then another inline before, after, or on both sides of the fuel pump.Filters are not exclusive to oil and air. Fuel also needs to be clean. The more filters th K&N also makes oil filters. These come with a nut on the bottom of the filter, making for quick removal with a wrench, while still keeping to the "high flow with good filtration" agenda of all K&N filters. Although they are not designed to be reusable like the air filters, they are priced at around $10 each, making them affordable insurance.K&N also makes oil filters. These come with a nut on the bottom of the filter, making for With the additional strain on your steering that comes from bigger tires, it's not a bad idea to put a filter on your steering system, as small particles can quickly kill a power steering pump. Most steering filters go inline from the box back to the pump where the fluid is flowing but is not under high pressure, such as this one from Lee Manufacturing. Some aftermarket companies have filters built right into their remote reservoirs.With the additional strain on your steering that comes from bigger tires, it's not a bad i SOURCES K&N P.O. Box 1329 Riverside CA 92502 Fram 800-890-2075 www.Fram.com Lee Manufacturing Co. 11661 Pendleton St. Sun Valley CA 91352 818-768-0371 Russell Performance 2301 Dominguez Wy Torrance CA 90503 Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
conniegal 4/27/2011 at 9:25 PM This looks like a great filter for my friends off road vehicle. Does the enhanced surface protection on the filter allow longer wear times between filter changes?
