Every engine depends on clean oil, clean air and clean fuel. Filters catch the dirt, wear particles and water that would otherwise cause wear. Change intervals vary by vehicle, equipment and conditions, so start with the manual. The AMSOIL lookup lists oil, air, fuel and cabin filters by application, including filters from other manufacturers that AMSOIL carries.
The four filters most people deal with
- Oil filter: traps wear metal, soot and dirt in the oil. Change it with every oil change unless the manual says otherwise.
- Engine air filter: keeps dust out of the engine. A restricted filter can cost power. Check it more often in dusty conditions, such as mowing or gravel roads.
- Fuel filter: catches rust, dirt and on diesels, water. Diesels often have a water separator that must be drained regularly.
- Cabin air filter: cleans the air coming into the passenger compartment and helps the HVAC system work properly.
Small engines and powersports
Mowers and other small engines often use foam pre-filters plus a paper element. Off-road powersports often use oiled foam filters that are cleaned and re-oiled rather than replaced.
Filter checklist
- Change the oil filter at every oil change.
- Inspect the air filter at each oil change and in dusty seasons.
- Drain diesel water separators on the schedule in the manual, more often in winter.
- Replace fuel filters at the interval given, or sooner after bad fuel.
- Replace the cabin filter yearly or per the manual, especially before allergy season.
- Clean and re-oil foam filters on small engines and off-road machines.
- Prefill or lubricate gaskets as the filter instructions direct.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change the oil filter at every oil change?
Most manuals call for it. AMSOIL’s own Ea oil filter instructions say: “Change oil filter at every oil change.”
Can I blow out a paper air filter with compressed air?
It can damage the media. Many makers recommend replacing paper elements rather than cleaning them.
How do I find the right filter part number?
Use the AMSOIL lookup for your vehicle or equipment; it lists the filters available for that application.
AMSOIL products for this job
- AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters. AMSOIL says: “Provides filtering efficiency of 99 percent at 20 microns”; “Helps reduce engine wear”; “Offers extended service life”.
- AMSOIL Ea Heavy-Duty Oil Filters. AMSOIL says: “Designed for heavy-duty on- and off-road diesel and gasoline applications”; “Provide high holding capacity for wear-causing contaminants”.
- AMSOIL Air Filter Oil. AMSOIL says: “Tacky formula stays in place to trap contaminants”; “Resists dirt and water to maintain airflow”.
AMSOIL bases its efficiency figure on ISO 4548-12 testing. Air, fuel and cabin filters are listed in the lookup by application.
Product wording above is quoted or summarized from amsoil.com. Read each product’s label and data sheet for directions.
Use AMSOIL’s official lookup guide to see what is listed for your vehicle or equipment, then order online whenever it suits you.