What's wrong with changing the filter during regular service intervals?

Myth vs Fact

Prior to the creation of the Filter Minder® filter monitoring solution, filters were frequently changed based on visual inspection, regardless of their condition.  It is a long-standing myth that an engine air or fuel filter should be changed about every 6,000 miles or when it "looks dirty." 

The fact is that a certain amount of dirt in an air filter actually increases its filtering efficiency by reducing the size of the holes in the filter media which helps stop smaller dirt particles. 

This means that instead of a maximum life of 6,000 miles, the typical air filter may actually last anywhere from 60,000 to 100,000 miles!

By properly monitoring and utilizing full filter capacity, our customers benefit from substantial cost savings over the life of the equipment.

Filter Minder® products:

• enable optimized service intervals, avoiding costly over-servicing and disposal of filters;
• alert operators to filtration system restriction, avoiding excess fuel consumption;
• prevent catastrophic damages caused by an inoperable filter, such as "dusting" an engine;
• eliminate unplanned equipment downtime, and
• extend filter life, decreasing waste and protecting the environment.

Use a filter?

Engineered Products Company can provide a high quality monitoring device.

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The Filter Minder® can be found on a wide variety of applications throughout the world, including:  Automotive - Truck - Construction - Agriculture - Compressors - Blowers - Hydraulics - Lawn and Garden - Irrigation Industries - Oil Fields - Marine.... or any industry that uses a filter.

How do air filter service indicators work?

Air Filter Service Indicators - View the Filter Minder® Demo.

The Filter Minder® is installed on the air cleaner or air induction piping so that it has access to clean filtered air (between air filter and engine).

The air filter service indicator is a simple device that accurately measures the air induction system filter restriction. It measures and remembers the highest restriction at maximum air flow, which is called full load condition. This condition occurs during hard acceleration, or while pulling a trailer, etc.

The indicator is easy to read. As the air filter plugs, and restriction increases, the yellow position indicator moves in the clear window and locks at several points. When it reaches and locks in the red zone, the air filter should be changed and the indicator reset to zero. Reset the indicator by pushing the yellow reset at the end of the indicator.

Another type of air filter service indicator is the Filter Minder® Single Position Service Indicator. The clear window turns red when maximum recommended restriction has been reached.

Every air induction filter system has a clean filter or initial restriction reading. Depending on air flow volume, filter media, and air filter size, there may not be enough restriction to show a reading on the gauge with a new filter, or the position indicator may move one or two positions. Do not be alarmed if there is some restriction with a new filter as this is not unusual.

Air filters usually show low restriction through most of their service life. As the air filter nears the end of available service life, filter restriction will increase more rapidly, and the yellow position indicator on the Filter Minder® will move more rapidly towards the red zone. High humidity or rainy conditions may slightly increase air filter restriction.

The Filter Minder® is calibrated in inches of water vacuum per the engine manufacturer's recommendations.

Use of the Filter Minder® helps maximize filter service life, prevents excess fuel usage from overly restricted filters, and saves on operational costs.

How do air filters work?

An air filter is made from paper or other media to trap dirt and other foreign particles as dirty air passes through the filter. There are tiny holes in the media that allow the air to pass through and these holes stop most particles.

Air filters are not 100 percent efficient at trapping dirt particles. Most new air filters are 97-99.9 percent efficient. A small amount of dust or dirt can pass into the engine. As the air filter builds a dust film, the holes in the media become smaller, and the filter becomes more efficient at trapping dirt.

As the filter traps dirt, it is more difficult for the air to pass through the filter, and restriction increases in the air induction system.

The Filter Minder® measures restriction or vacuum. The air filter service indicator is calibrated per engine or vehicle manufacturer's recommendations.

The air filter should be serviced when the position indicator of the service indicator approaches or reaches the red zone.

Use of the Filter Minder® helps maximize filter service life, prevents excess fuel usage from overly restricted filters, and saves on operational costs.

How do fuel filter service indicators work?

Fuel Filter Service Indicators

The Fuel Filter Minder® Service Indicator monitors the suction fuel filter on diesel engine applications.

The fuel filter service indicator is usually mounted at the outlet of the suction fuel filter (between suction fuel filter and fuel pump). Other mounting arrangements directly to the filter head are also used.

The fuel filter service indicator measures and remembers the highest fuel filter restriction at maximum fuel flow. This usually occurs during full load driving conditions. Full load conditions are when the engine operates, pulling a load at high RPM.

As the fuel filter plugs from contaminants, the yellow position indicator moves in the clear window of the service indicator locking at several points until reaching red zone or fuel filter change. The fuel filter should be changed, and the service indicator reset to zero. Reset the service indicator by pushing the reset at the end of the service indicator.

Every fuel filter system has a clean fuel filter or initial restriction reading. Depending on the fuel system design, there may not be enough restriction to show a reading on the service indicator with a new fuel filter, or the position indicator may move one or two positions. Do not be alarmed if there is some restriction with a new filter as this is not unusual.

Fuel filters usually show low restriction through most of their service life. As the fuel filter nears the end of its service life, fuel filter restriction will increase more rapidly, and the yellow position indicator will move more rapidly towards the red zone.

Use of the Filter Minder® helps maximize filter service life, prevents excess fuel usage from overly restricted filters, and saves on operational costs.