Critical Impact of Air Filter Quality on Commercial Truck Operating Costs
- Unfiltered grit causes premature cylinder liner and turbocharger wear, with an OM366 turbo replacement costing over $1,200 per unit, plus vehicle downtime loss of $200–$400 per day per truck/bus.
- Clogged low-efficiency filters increase intake resistance, raising fuel consumption by 10%–16%, 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%–35%.


