The Role of Restriction Gauges in Heavy-Duty Engines

By: Parts for Trucks 

How can you tell when your air filter needs to be changed? Could you be changing it too soon?

On today’s heavy-duty engines, an air restriction gauge is an absolute necessity. These gauges indicate when your air filter needs changing, based on the restriction level across the filter.

The use of restriction gauges is recommended as an integral part of your maintenance program. Such gauges are now standard on many types of equipment. The gauges measure the amount of vacuum created when air is pulled through the filters, thus measuring the buildup of dirt from a new filter’s installation throughout its life. Once the restriction gauge has reached a predetermined level, it is time to change the filter. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for each engine.