Tech Tip: How to Inspect and Clean Your Boosted Mentality Motorsports Performance Air Filters

Tech Tip: How to Inspect and Clean Your Boosted Mentality Motorsports Performance Air Filters

 

At Boosted Mentality Motorsports, we design our performance air filters to maximize airflow, resulting in noticeable gains in horsepower, torque, and fuel economy. To keep your vehicle running at its best, it’s important to regularly inspect and clean your BMM air filters. Dirty, clogged filters can reduce performance, so here’s a quick guide on how to maintain them. *All our air filters are made from “dry flow” material, meaning there is no need for and oils or additives to be cleaned or reapplied during the cleaning process*.

 

How Often Should You Inspect Your Filters?

A good rule of thumb is to visually inspect your air filter(s) every other oil change or roughly every 10,000 to 30,000 miles. The driving conditions you experience will greatly impact how dirty your air filters become, so be mindful of environments like dusty roads or extreme weather, which may require more frequent inspections.

 

How to Inspect Your Air Filters

To inspect your air filter, carefully remove it from its housing and look for signs of dirt, debris, or discoloration. If the filter appears clean, you’re good to go. If it looks dirty or clogged, it’s time to clean it. Here’s how to tackle that:

 

How to Clean Your BMM Performance Air Filters

Depending on the condition of your filter, there are two methods to clean it:

1. Slightly Dirty Filter

If the filter is only slightly dirty, use compressed air to blow out the minor dust and debris. Be sure to blow from the inside out to prevent pushing dirt further into the filter media. Avoid using excessive air pressure to prevent damaging the filter.

2. Very Dirty Filter

For filters with heavy dust buildup, rinse them using cold or warm water. *USE WATER ONLY - never use soaps or cleaning agents*. Run the water from the clean side of the filter to the dirty side to flush out contaminants. Allow the filter to air dry completely before reinstalling it. If you’re in a hurry, you can use compressed air to speed up the drying process, but again, be cautious with the pressure. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filters require oil after cleaning?
No. All Boosted Mentality Motorsports performance air filters use advanced dry-flow filter media, meaning there is no oiling or recharge kit required after cleaning. Simply clean, allow the filter to dry completely, and reinstall.

Can I use soap, degreaser, or a cleaning solution?
No. We recommend using water only. Soaps, solvents, degreasers, or other cleaning chemicals are unnecessary and may shorten the life of the filter media.

Can I use a pressure washer?
No. High-pressure water can damage the filter media. Instead, rinse the filter gently with a garden hose or sink faucet, allowing the water to flow from the clean side to the dirty side.

Is compressed air safe to use?
Yes, but use caution. Low-pressure compressed air can be used to remove light dust or help speed the drying process. Avoid excessive air pressure, as it may damage the filter media.

How long do Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filters last?
With proper inspection and maintenance, our washable, reusable air filters are designed to last for the life of the vehicle, eliminating the need to continually purchase disposable paper filters.

How do I know when it’s time to clean my filter?
The easiest way is a visual inspection. If the filter has accumulated dirt, dust, bugs, leaves, or other debris that restricts airflow, it’s time for a cleaning. Vehicles driven on gravel roads, construction sites, or in dusty environments may require more frequent maintenance.

Will cleaning my air filter restore performance?
Yes. A clean air filter allows your engine to breathe more freely, helping maintain optimal airflow, throttle response, horsepower potential, and fuel efficiency.

Can I damage my engine by running a reusable air filter?
No. When properly installed and maintained, your Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filter provides excellent filtration while delivering increased airflow compared to many factory paper filters.

Why don’t your filters require oil like some other performance filters?
Our filters utilize dry-flow filtration technology, which provides high airflow without relying on sticky filter oil. This eliminates the mess associated with re-oiling while also removing the risk of contaminating sensitive engine sensors such as the MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor.

 

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your Boosted Mentality Motorsports Performance Air Filters is easy and ensures your engine continues to breathe freely for peak performance. Regularly inspecting and cleaning your filters will not only prolong their life but also keep your vehicle running efficiently.

*All our air filters are made from “dry flow” material, meaning there is no need for and oils or additives to be cleaned or reapplied during the cleaning process*.