Critical Impact of Air Filter Quality on Commercial Van Operating Costs
- Unfiltered grit causes premature cylinder liner and piston ring wear, with a full OM602 engine overhaul costing over $2,200 per unit, plus vehicle downtime loss of $150–$280 per day per van.
- Clogged low-efficiency filters increase intake resistance, raising fuel consumption by 10%–14%, which translates to significant extra fuel cost for fleets with 10+ vehicles.
- Abnormal combustion from incorrect air-fuel ratio leads to more frequent engine oil changes and shorter engine service life by 25%–30%.


