7) After the filter is dry, apply small amount of oil on  the top of each pleat. It is not necessary to apply oil down in between the pleats.  It is also a good idea to not apply oil all the way to the urethane. Leave about an inch of media un-colored.  DO NOT DROWN THE FILTER WITH OIL!  The oil will wick out a great deal. 

8) Leave the oiled filter for 8 to 12 hours to allow the oil to fully wick. 

Then spot apply oil to areas that still do not have “color” to it.   

3. When or how often should I clean my filter?

We recommend that you follow the manufactures recommended service schedule. You can find that in your vehicle owner’s manual.  Once you reach that mileage mark, take a look at the filter.  If you can still see the aluminum mesh on the filter then it is still ok and does not need to be cleaned.  Check the filter every other oil change.  When it gets to the point where you cannot see the aluminum mesh on the filter anymore, then it is time to clean the filter.  You should clean the filter around the 25K - 30K mile mark under normal conditions. In extreme dusty or dirty environments, you should check more frequently.  Over cleaning the filter will shorten the life of the filter and reduce its filtration efficiency.  Accumulating some dirt actually helps the filtration.  

4. What is the difference between the three media – Pro5R, ProDryS and ProGuard7 - that aFe offers?

aFe offers three different types of filter media for most of our filters and  intake systems because everyone has different driving conditions and different driving needs.  There is the Pro5R, ProGuard7 and ProDryS. There are detailed explanations for these media in other sections of this website.  Without going into details of each media, the basically differences are:

1) Pro5R is 5-layers of progressively finer mesh oiled cotton gauze which offers maximum airflow. This media is ideal for those who drive mostly on paved street and highway who want maximum horsepower.

2) ProGuard7 is 5 layers of progressively finer oiled cotton gauze used in the Pro5R media backed by another 2 layers of finer porosity synthetic non-woven media which offers maximum protection.  This media is ideal for those who do a lot of unpaved, off-road driving in severe dusty and dirty environments where protection is more important than maximum horsepower.  This media is most popular with compression-ignition diesel truck owners.

3) ProDryS is a 2 layer progressively finer porosity synthetic non-woven media, which is oil-free and offers maximum convenience since it does not require re-oiling.  This media is ideal for those who don’t want the hassle of re-oiling a filter.

5. How can I tell what intake system I have since I bought my vehicle used and the kit came with it?

aFe offers a variety of intake systems for various vehicles.  The quickest way to find out what intake system you have is to do a product search on our website for your vehicle. Input your fuel type, make, model and year on our product search and you should see your intake system in the result.  If you can’t tell which media you have in your vehicle, see Question 1 to determine which media you have. If you still cannot determine the intake system you have, call our tech support line at (951)493-7100 for assistance or email a photo of the intake system to tech@afepower.com. 

6. What is the difference between aFe filters and other manufacturer’s filters?

 We invite consumers to compare our products with others.  Here are several things to look for:

1)    Media construction: constant mesh or progressive mesh.  aFe is the only company that uses a progressively finer mesh media.

2)    Pleat design: Tight or open? Pinched or rounded? aFe uses an open, rounded pleat design that allows better airflow through the tops and bottoms of each pleat.

3)    Pleat height:  Deep or shallow? aFe pleats are 30% deeper pleats than competitors for longer service interval and greater dust holding capacity. 

4)    Filter seal: Soft or hard? Flat or progressive? Additional sealing gasket or grease needed or not? aFe uses a pliable, progressive bump seal that requires no foam gasket or filter grease. 

7. What are the differences between an aFe intake system and other manufacturer’s systems?

Here are several things to look for the fit and finish of aFe  intake systems:

1)    Do you have to assemble the housing? Our housings are usually one piece and come pre-assembled.

2)    How many parts are included with the system? aFe minimizes components as much as possible for easier installation.

3)    Is any cutting, drilling or modification of the vehicle required? aFe systems use stock mounting points and require no modification to the vehicle.

4)    What are the performance numbers? Through the use of molded plastic tubes and 3-angle adaptors that direct airflow more effectively, aFe consistently delivers excellent horsepower and torque numbers. Check out www.afepower.com for your expected performance results. 

8. Can I use someone else’s oil on an aFe filter?

We recommend that you use an aFe restore kit oil.  

9. What is the warranty on my aFe part?

aFe OE replacement filters are warranted against manufacturer defects for as long as you own the vehicle and it is properly maintained using our filter cleaning kit.  Our universal clamp on air filters and air intake kits are warranted against manufacturer defects for 2 years. Our racing filters are warranted against manufacturer defects for 1 year. All warranty is contingent on proper installation and proper maintenance using our restore kit. All other aFe products such as our exhaust systems, intake manifolds and intercoolers have a 2-year warranty.   

10. Will putting an aFe filter or air intake system in my vehicle void my factory warranty?

Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).  For best results, consider working with performance-oriented dealerships with a proven history of working with customers. If your vehicle manufacturer fails to honor emission/warranty claims, contact EPA at (202) 260-2080 or www.epa.gov.  If federal warranty protection is denied, contact the FTC at (202) 326-3128 or www.ftc.gov. Also check out this link from SEMA for additional information on your rights; http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096  For additional information on the Magnuson-Moss Act, go to http://www.impalaclub.com/naisso/magmoss.htm or http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus01.shtm. 

11. Is my aFe air filter “street” or emission legal?

Since replacing the stock OE air filter with a high-flow performance air filter such as aFe does not change or affect the stock intake tract and emission controls, a performance air filter is considered “street” or CARB emission legal.   

12. Is my aFe intake system “street” or emission legal?

Air intake systems do alter the stock intake tract and therefore, requires an exemption from CARB emission requirements.  As a California based company aFe submits our intake systems to CARB for exemption so that the intake system can be used legally on the street. However, obtaining CARB exemption takes time and not all aFe intake systems are exempt.  When an aFe intake system is not exempt, they would legal only in racing situations and not for street use in the 13 states that have adopted California emission standards. Contact our customer service dept @ 877-512-8111 to find out if a particular intake system is CARB exempt or not or check your local or state regulations. 

13. What kind of MPG improvement should I get with my aFe air filter?

Due to the 30-40cfm of additional air entering your engine, you may see a marginal gain in mpg vs. the factory filter. aFe does not and will not claim to improve your fuel mileage because everybody's vehicle, driving condition & habits are different.  We do however claim to increase the torque and horsepower of your engine, make the engine run more fuel efficient and improve the quality and amount of air that goes into your engine.  This will allow the engine to use less fuel driving under the same conditions that you are driving in now. 

14. What kind of MPG improvement should I get with my aFe intake system?

We have had countless people call in to say that their fuel mileage has increased with diesels and gas engines alike from 1-5 mpg.   aFe does not and will not claim to improve your fuel mileage because everybody's vehicle, driving condition & habits are different.  We do however claim to increase the torque and horsepower of your engine, make the engine run more fuel efficient and improve the quality and amount of air that goes into your engine.  This will allow the engine to use less fuel driving under the same conditions that you are driving in now.