The Difference Between aFe POWER Air Filter Media

aFe POWER offers four different types of filter media. Three are oiled, and one is dry. Each varies performance, maintenance, and protection, for on and off-road applications. All aFe POWER air filters are washable and reusable.

Four different aFe engine air filter medias: blue, blue with expanded metal, gold, and grey

Oiled Vs. Dry

Oiled filters require regular oiling after cleaning, which is usually around 20k-30k miles. Dry filters do not require any oil.

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How does oil improve filter efficiency?

The oil improves filter efficiency by allowing more air to flow through while capturing finer debris. aFe oil is a high-grade blend and safe for your engine. All oiled filters are cleaned the same.

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aFe blue oiled Pro 5R air filter on white background

Pro 5R | high-performance

The aFe POWER Pro 5R Air Filter is a blue, oiled filter with 5 layers of progressive cotton gauze media. It’s primarily for street and track use. This is our highest-performing air filter and comes in Original Equipment Replacement Filters, Universal Round Performance Filters, and all aFe POWER Cold Air Intakes.

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aFe blue oiled Pro 10R air filter with expanded metal on white background

Pro 10R | high-durability

The aFe POWER Pro 10R Air Filter is a blue, oiled filter that offers maximum longevity. This filter has 10 progressive layers of cotton gauze media, and the expanded metal surrounding the filter provides optimal structural integrity. This filter is designed for off-road and diesel applications. Because of the high protection level, you can go more time between cleanings. Pro 10R filters are not available in Original Equipment Replacement Filters but are available as Universal Round Performance Filters and on select applications for aFe POWER Cold Air Intakes.

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Gold oiled extra protection aFe Pro-GUARD 7 air filter

Pro-GUARD 7 | high-protection

The aFe POWER Pro-GUARD 7 is a gold, oiled filter that offers maximum protection. It’s designed for off-road and diesel applications because it protects best in dusty and extreme conditions. The patented progressive 7 layers are made of both cotton and synthetic material. This media is available in select Original Equipment Replacement Filters Universal Round Performance Filters, and most aFe POWER Cold Air Intakes.

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Round synthetic filter media no oil grey Pro DRY S aFe Air Filter

Pro DRY S | easy maintenance

The aFe POWER Pro DRY S air filter is an oil-free dry air filter that requires little maintenance. Three layers of synthetic filter media protect your engine while maintaining airflow. This filter is best for street and light off-road use. This filter is designed to run without oil, and oil will damage the media. The Pro DRY S air filter is offered in Original Equipment Replacement filters, Universal Round Performance Filters, and all aFe POWER Cold Air Intakes.

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Choosing the right filter

To decide on filter media, consider how much protection you need and if you want to re-oil a filter as a part of regular maintenance. See the chart below to compare and contrast our filter media.

Comparison chart of aFe four different oiled and dry air filter media

If you are looking for how to clean your oiled or dry air filter, click here.

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Testing & Data

Looking to see how aFe POWER Air Filters compare to each other? We test our filters by their air flow rates, filtration efficiency, and dust-holding capacity.