Tech Tip: How to Inspect, Clean & Reinstall Your Boosted Mentality Motorsports Performance Air Filters

At Boosted Mentality Motorsports, we design our performance air filters to maximize airflow, helping your vehicle maintain strong horsepower, torque, throttle response, and fuel efficiency. To keep your vehicle running at its best, it’s important to regularly inspect and clean your BMM air filters.

Dirty or clogged filters can restrict airflow and reduce performance. The good news is that maintaining your BMM performance air filters is simple.

IMPORTANT: All Boosted Mentality Motorsports performance air filters use dry-flow filter media. There is NO oiling, filter oil, or filter recharge product required before or after cleaning. Water only is required for cleaning.

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 quickly your air filters become dirty. Vehicles driven on gravel roads, dirt roads, construction sites, dusty areas, or other environments with high amounts of airborne debris may require more frequent inspection and cleaning.

When in doubt, inspect them. A quick visual inspection only takes a few minutes and can help ensure your engine is getting the airflow it needs.

Step 1: Remove the Air Filter(s)

Before cleaning your filter, the filter must be removed from the vehicle.

1. Turn the vehicle off

Park the vehicle on a level surface, turn the engine off, and allow the engine bay to cool if the vehicle has recently been driven.

2. Locate the air filter housing

Your BMM performance air filter is installed inside the vehicle's factory air filter housing or the applicable aftermarket intake system.

If you are unsure where your air filter is located, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual or the installation instructions provided with your BMM intake system.

3. Open the air filter housing

Depending on the vehicle, the air filter housing may use clips, screws, bolts, or other fasteners.

Carefully release or remove the fasteners and open the housing.

Do not force the housing open. If something does not release easily, double-check for a missed clip, screw, or fastener.

4. Remove the filter

Carefully lift the BMM air filter out of the housing.

Try not to knock dirt, leaves, bugs, or other debris into the clean side of the intake system.

Tip: If your filter is heavily dirty, take a quick photo of how it is installed before removing it. This gives you an easy reference when it is time to reinstall it.

5. Keep track of multiple filters

If your vehicle uses more than one BMM air filter, keep the filters together so you can clean and reinstall them as a set.

Step 2: Inspect the Air Filter

Before cleaning the filter, take a moment to inspect it.

Look for:

• Dust and dirt buildup

• Leaves, bugs, or other debris

• Heavy discoloration

• Material trapped inside the filter pleats

• Damage to the filter media

• Tears, holes, or separation

• Damage to the rubber or sealing surface

If the filter is only lightly dusty, compressed air may be all that is necessary.

If the filter has significant dirt or debris buildup, follow the washing procedure below.

If the filter media or sealing surface appears damaged, do not reinstall the filter. Contact Boosted Mentality Motorsports for assistance.

Step 3: Choose the Correct Cleaning Method

There are two recommended ways to clean your BMM performance air filter.

Option 1 — Light Dust or Minor Debris

If the filter is only slightly dirty, you may be able to clean it using low-pressure compressed air.

Option 2 — Heavy Dirt or Dust Buildup

If the filter has significant dirt buildup, wash it using clean water.

Remember: BMM dry-flow filters do NOT require oil or any type of filter recharge product.

Step 4A: Cleaning a Slightly Dirty Filter With Compressed Air

For filters with only a light layer of dust or loose debris:

1. Take the filter outside or to a well-ventilated area.

2. Hold the filter securely.

3. Use low-pressure compressed air to remove loose dust and debris.

4. Blow the air from the clean side of the filter toward the dirty side.

What does "clean side" mean?

The clean side is the side of the filter that normally faces the engine.

The dirty side is the side that faces the incoming air.

The goal is to push contaminants back out the way they came in, rather than forcing them deeper into the filter media.

Important:

Do not use excessive air pressure.

High-pressure compressed air held close to the filter can damage the filter media.

Do not press the air nozzle directly against the filter material.

If compressed air does not remove the dirt easily, stop and use the water-cleaning method instead.

Step 4B: Washing a Very Dirty Filter

For filters with heavy dust or dirt buildup, washing with clean water is the preferred cleaning method.

YOU ONLY NEED:

• Clean water

• A sink, garden hose, or similar source of clean water

• A clean place to allow the filter to dry

DO NOT USE:

• Soap

• Dishwashing detergent

• Degreaser

• Brake cleaner

• Carburetor cleaner

• Solvents

• Filter-cleaning chemicals

• Oil

• Filter recharge products

• Pressure washers

Water only.

Washing Instructions

1. Rinse the filter gently

Use cold or lukewarm water.

Do not use extremely hot water.

A normal sink faucet or garden hose is perfect. Do NOT use a pressure washer or any other high-pressure system.

2. Rinse from the clean side toward the dirty side

This is one of the most important parts of the cleaning process.

Hold the filter so that the water flows from the clean side toward the dirty side.

For a typical panel air filter, the clean side is the side that faces the engine when the filter is installed.

The purpose is to flush dirt and contaminants back out of the filter instead of pushing them farther into the filter media.

3. Let the water flow through the filter

Gently rinse the entire filter, paying attention to areas where dirt has collected between the pleats.

You do not need to scrub the filter.

Do not use a brush or abrasive material on the filter media.

4. Continue rinsing until the water runs clean

Keep gently rinsing until the visible dirt and debris have been removed.

If necessary, rotate the filter and rinse different sections until the entire filter has been cleaned.

5. Shake off excess water

Once the filter is clean, gently shake off excess water.

Do not twist, wring, bend, or squeeze the filter media.

Step 5: DRY THE FILTER COMPLETELY

THIS STEP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

A washed air filter must be completely dry before it is reinstalled in the vehicle.

Do not reinstall a filter simply because the outside feels dry.

Water can remain trapped inside the filter media and between the pleats even after the surface appears dry.

The best method: Air drying

Place the filter in a clean, dry location with good airflow.

Allow it to air dry naturally.

Depending on temperature, humidity, airflow, and how much water the filter absorbed, drying time can vary.

When washing the filter, we recommend allowing it to dry overnight whenever possible. If the filter is still damp, allow additional drying time.

There is no penalty for allowing the filter to dry longer.

When in doubt, wait.

Need to speed up drying?

Low-pressure compressed air may be used carefully to help remove excess moisture.

• Use low pressure.

• Keep the nozzle away from the filter media.

• Do not blast the filter with high-pressure air.

• Continue allowing the filter to air dry afterward.

Do not use high heat to dry the filter.

Avoid placing the filter directly against a heater, using a heat gun, or exposing it to excessive heat.

Before reinstalling:

Look closely between the filter pleats and around the filter frame.

If you can see or feel moisture, the filter is not ready to reinstall.

Step 6: Inspect the Filter One More Time

Once the filter is completely dry, inspect it again.

Make sure:

• The filter media is clean.

• The filter is completely dry.

• There is no visible damage.

• There are no tears or holes.

• The rubber sealing surface is intact.

• No debris remains trapped in the filter.

• No cleaning chemicals or oil have been applied.

If everything looks good, the filter is ready to go back into the vehicle.

Step 7: Reinstall the Air Filter

1. Inspect the air filter housing

Before putting the filter back in, take a quick look inside the air filter housing.

Remove any leaves, dirt, bugs, or other debris that may have accumulated inside.

Do not allow debris to fall into the intake tract or engine side of the housing.

2. Make sure the filter is positioned correctly

Place the BMM filter back into the housing in the same orientation in which it was originally installed.

If your vehicle uses more than one filter, make sure each filter is seated correctly.

3. Make sure the filter is fully seated

This is critical.

The filter should sit flat and evenly in the housing.

The sealing surface should make complete contact with the mating surface of the airbox.

Do not force the airbox closed if the filter does not appear to be seated correctly.

A filter that is not properly seated can allow unfiltered air to bypass the filter.

4. Reinstall the airbox cover

Carefully reinstall the airbox cover.

Make sure the cover is sitting correctly before reinstalling or tightening the fasteners.

5. Secure all clips, screws, or fasteners

Reinstall all of the original fasteners and make sure the housing is securely closed.

Do not leave any clips, screws, or fasteners loose.

6. Final inspection

Before starting the vehicle, perform one final visual inspection.

Confirm:

✓ Filter is completely dry

✓ Filter is properly seated

✓ Airbox is fully closed

✓ All clips/fasteners are secured

✓ No tools or debris were left inside the engine bay

Your BMM performance air filter is now ready for use.

Quick Cleaning Checklist

For customers who have cleaned their filters before, here's the short version:

REMOVE

→ Turn vehicle off and allow it to cool
→ Open the air filter housing
→ Carefully remove the filter

INSPECT

→ Check for dirt, dust, debris, and damage

LIGHTLY DIRTY

→ Use low-pressure compressed air
→ Blow from the clean side toward the dirty side

VERY DIRTY

→ Use clean cold or lukewarm water
→ Water only — no soap, chemicals, or oil
→ Rinse from the clean side toward the dirty side
→ Do not scrub or use a pressure washer

DRY

→ Shake off excess water
→ Allow the filter to air dry completely
→ Overnight drying is recommended after washing
→ Do not reinstall while damp

REINSTALL

→ Make sure the filter is completely dry
→ Inspect the housing
→ Properly seat the filter
→ Close and secure the airbox
→ Perform a final inspection before starting the vehicle

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 the filter with water when necessary, allow it to dry completely, and reinstall it.

Can I use soap, degreaser, or a cleaning solution?

No.

We recommend water only.

Soaps, solvents, degreasers, and 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 using a garden hose or sink faucet.

Which direction should I rinse the filter?

Always rinse from the clean side toward the dirty side.

The clean side is normally the side of the filter that faces the engine when installed.

This helps flush contaminants back out of the filter instead of pushing them deeper into the filter media.

Can I scrub the filter with a brush?

No.

The filter does not need to be scrubbed.

Allow clean water to flow through the filter media to remove dirt and contaminants.

Scrubbing can unnecessarily damage the filter material.

Is compressed air safe to use?

Yes, but use caution.

Low-pressure compressed air can be used to remove light dust or help remove excess moisture.

Avoid excessive air pressure and do not hold the air nozzle directly against the filter media.

Can I reinstall the filter while it is slightly damp?

No.

Always allow a washed filter to dry completely before reinstalling it.

Water can remain trapped inside the filter media even when the outside appears dry.

When in doubt, allow additional drying time.

How long does the filter take to dry?

Drying time depends on temperature, humidity, airflow, and how much water the filter absorbed.

We recommend allowing a washed filter to dry overnight whenever possible.

The important thing is not the exact number of hours—the filter must be completely dry before installation.

Can I use a hair dryer or heat gun to dry the filter?

We recommend allowing the filter to air dry naturally.

Do not expose the filter to excessive heat or use a heat gun.

If you need to speed up drying, low-pressure compressed air can be used carefully to remove excess moisture, followed by additional air drying.

How long do Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filters last?

With proper inspection and maintenance, our washable, reusable air filters are designed for long-term use and are intended to last for the life of the vehicle under normal conditions.

Filter life can vary depending on driving conditions, maintenance, and how the filter is handled during cleaning.

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 is restricting airflow, it is time for a cleaning.

Vehicles driven on gravel roads, construction sites, or dusty environments may require more frequent maintenance.

Will cleaning my air filter restore performance?

A clean air filter helps maintain proper airflow through the intake system.

If the filter has become significantly dirty or restricted, cleaning it can help restore the airflow that was being limited by the accumulated dirt and debris.

Can I damage my engine by running a reusable air filter?

When properly installed and maintained, your Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filter is designed to provide excellent filtration while allowing increased airflow compared with many factory paper filters.

As with any air filter, proper installation and regular maintenance are important.

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 need for messy re-oiling and helps avoid the potential for filter oil to contaminate sensitive intake components or sensors.

Important Reminders

WATER ONLY.

NO OIL.

NO SOAP.

NO DEGREASER.

NO SOLVENTS.

NO PRESSURE WASHER.

DO NOT REINSTALL A WET OR DAMP FILTER.

WHEN WASHED, ALLOW THE FILTER TO DRY COMPLETELY BEFORE REINSTALLATION.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your Boosted Mentality Motorsports Performance Air Filters is easy and helps ensure your engine continues to receive the airflow it needs.

Regularly inspecting and cleaning your filters will help maintain performance, maximize filter life, and keep your vehicle running efficiently.

Take your time, use water only, and most importantly, make sure the filter is completely dry before putting it back in the vehicle.

A few minutes of maintenance can keep your BMM performance air filters working properly for years to come.

*All Boosted Mentality Motorsports air filters are made from dry-flow material, meaning there is no need for any oils or additives to be used during the cleaning process or reapplied after cleaning.*