The air intake and air filter are two vital parts of a vehicle that it needs to maintain peak performance. However, these two components often get confused with one another. Understanding the difference between an air intake and an air filter will help you distinguish the two and determine their importance for your vehicle.

What Is an Air Filter?

An air filter contains a permeable material that traps airborne particles. During the early years of automobile manufacturing, vehicles had a simple intake system without the benefit of a filter. As a result, several problems arose within their engines—they weren’t in it for the long haul. Contaminants in the air may harm the intake system of an internal combustion engine.

Since 1915, air filters have become the industry standard; you cannot find a motor vehicle without one in some capacity! Keep an eye on and replace your air filters when they are no longer effective.

Types of Air Filters

Air filters have undergone several transformations since their origin. You’ll find them in a wide range of materials, from paper to cotton to foam. While paper is the most common substance, it is not like loose-leaf paper in a notebook. These air filters employ several kinds of wood pulp to make thick, heavy, porous cardboard.

Most paper air filters have pleats to improve effectiveness. However, they get dirty quickly, especially when they block harmful contaminants from negatively affecting the engine.

Some automakers mass produce cheap paper for air filters, leading to consumers buying aftermarket alternatives. Cotton filters cost more than paper filters but last longer and improve engine functions. They are also washable, so you can reuse them! Apply oil to your clean filter, reinstall it, and you’re good to go!

What Is an Air Intake?

A vehicle’s air intake system allows fresh air to enter the engine and combine it with gasoline in the intake manifold. A spark plug ignites the air/fuel combination before it travels down the engine’s passageways and into the cylinders, where the explosion generates the energy that powers your vehicle.

A reliable internal combustion reaction depends on the quality of the air intake system. Inadequate combustion may call for upgrades to your vehicle’s cold air intake system.

Why Cold Air Intakes Are Popular

Air filters aren’t always helpful when improving engine performance. While air filters are essential for keeping debris and other contaminants out of your engine, they could limit the air supply to the motor and reduce its output force.

The loss of power may not seem significant to the ordinary car owner, but it can make a significant difference to performance-oriented drivers. If you fall into the latter group, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Plenty of aftermarket parts can increase the power of your car.

After understanding the difference between air intakes and air filters, we hope you realize the benefits of aftermarket parts for your car. Blessed Performance wants your 2017 6.7 Power Stroke engine to reach its maximum potential, so check us out when you need special parts to take it to the next level!