Talk to a F-150 Sales Tech
1-888-706-1096
M-F 8:30A-11P, Sat-Sun 8:30A-9P
$20K Sweeps! 10 Chances to Win! Enter Daily >

How to Install AFE Cold Air Intake Replacement Magnum FLOW Pro 5R Air Filters (11-14 3.5L EcoBoost) on your Ford F-150

Installation Time

30 minutes

American Muscle
Shop Parts in this Guide




PREPARING 

Gently tap the filter element to remove excess embedded dirt. Gently brush the remaining excess dirt from the element with a soft brush.

SOAKING (see pictures A & B) 

Using aFe “Restore Kit” cleaner, spray the element thoroughly soaking the cotton media. Let it soak for approximately 10 minutes.

RINSING OFF (see picture C) 

Using low pressure from a tap or a hose, run water from the clean side to the dirty side. Continue running the water through the element until the water comes through clear. 

DO NOT USE HIGH PRESSURE or a nozzle that sprays a sharp stream. A sharp spray of water can separate the filter media thus ruining the filter.

DRYING 

It is best to let the filter dry naturally. It is OK to lay the filter in front of a fan to speed drying. Do not do the following: 

*DO NOT use high heat such as a hair dryer. aFe filters are cotton and can shrink under high heat. 

*DO NOT use compressed air as it can separate the media making an unseen hole for dirt to pass through. 

*DO NOT use open flame.

OILING (see picture D) 

Use aFe special formula air filter oil to re-oil the filter media as follows: 

* Aerosol can oiling - Hold the can approximately 5 to 8 inches from the filter, spray a light single coat of aFe filter oil covering each section at a slow pace. 

* Squeeze bottle oiling(shown) - Apply a small amount of oil to the top or bottom of each pleat stopping about 1/2” to 3/4” from the edge of the filter.Within 20 minutes the oil should spread to cover the entire filter media area leaving no media uncovered. Touch up any spots that are still visibly white with a small amount of oil. Note: Only apply oil to one side of the filter. The oil will wick through the media. 

* NEVER use an aFe filter without oil. The oil is required to capture the finer dirt particles. 

* DO NOT over oil the filter media as it not only wastes oil, it can potentially cause damage to Mass Air Flow sensors in the air intake stream. 

*NEVER use motor oil, transmission fluid, diesel fuel, WD 40, etc. in place of aFe oil.


STOP! WARNING LABEL (see picture E) 

Be sure to install your red “Stop!” label at a very visible place on the filterhousing so a maintenance person will not accidentally discard your aFe life time filter.

SERVICE TIPS 

* Normal highway driving should give 30,000 to 50,000 plus miles between cleanings of an aFe filter. However, in the time period that you would have replaced 3 paper filters, you should inspect your aFe filter to determine if it needs cleaning. For example, if you live in an extremely high dust area and replaced your paper filter every 3,000 miles, you should examine your aFe filter every 9,000 miles. 

* DO NOT over clean the filter. If you can see the screen mesh, the filter is still flowing adequately. For optimal engine performance, the filter should be cleaned at 7” of restriction. Do not exceed 10” of restriction. 

* If your driving mileage is low and the filter is not ready for cleaning, examine the filter once per year for adequate oil. If necessary, lightly add aFe filter oil to the clean side of the filter. 

* Sunlight deteriorates the oil. If the filter is exposed to sunlight it will be necessary to re-oil the filter periodically.