Embarrassed to ask but Air filter question

Bought this Fram air filter (

$29 CA11895 Replacement Engine Air Filter for 2013-2022 Toyota (4.0L, 4-6L & 5.7L), Provides Up to 12 Months or 12000 Miles Filter Protection

CA11895) because my old one was getting a bit gnarly.

It has a second filter attached to the bottom on the pleats. Never seen this before and couldnt find any instructions or info.

1) Is this a prefilter? usually this kind of material, as far as i know, is a pre-filter that i would think goes on top of the filter as air comes in to catch large particles.

2) they have it attached to the bottom and it seems like its lightly glued onto the bottom of the pleats like this is the position its supposed to be in...there isn't any chance this thing could get sucked into the engine?

Hope the question doesnt sound too stupid but ive never seen an air filter with extra layer of material on the pleats before

 

Just different media is all. Personally I would take it back and go get a stock one at your dealer. Stock is pretty much best.

 

Incoming air passes through the bottom (pleat side) first, so there’s no chance of that material being sucked into the engine.

 

Yes, it's a pre-filter, I just replaced mine and it came with it. Also the cabin one, both are Fram, who is also an OEM supplier for auto makers

 

I have one in my truck and have not had any issues. It's been there going on 12k miles.

 

As you stated, you have the direction of air backwards.

Outside air comes in from the bottom of the filter, through the pre-filter first, not through the top first.

 

I believe the filter only fits one way in the housing

 

Yep. And there’s an additional charcoal filter glued to the intake above the air filter.

 

I wouldn't use ANYTHING with FRAM label on it.

 

It's a snow pre-filter. It's on the side facing the incoming air stream, so can it be sucked into the engine? No.

 

Maybe. Yes and no.

 

I like the pre-filter because of its snow white color which has a neat feature. When I pull it out for inspection and turn it over, you can readily tell just how dirty the filter maybe inside.

 

Nothing wrong with FRAM.

 

No worries, OEM vehicle makers usually paint over the filter supplier's brand name, so they buy the more expensive painted version at the stealer

 

Yeah it's a pre filter doubt it does anything but it probably can't hurt either. I was going to get KN but just went factory OEM instead, same for cabin filter. Highly recommend you do both of them.

 

OEM filter was 17 bucks, Napa wanted more for their Silver one...

 

I got mine(s) at WALMART for $13+ each, twenty something at the stealer and even Amazon last time

 

The prefilter is a course micron rated filter to catch larger stuff in the air stream. Bugs, leaves, pine needles and such. The pleats are a finer micron rating that will catch smaller particles. It works in 2 stages to give a longer service life rather than one filter that plugs with everything.

The prefilter is on the bottom of the air box which is the side that draws the outside air into the airbox. Then the air passed through the filter into the top of the air box and into the engine. This is so heavy stuff and water fall to the bottom and do not get stuck in the filter or sucked into the engine in the case of water.

 

There are no stupid questions here on TW, lots of stupid answers, but no stupid questions.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-map-light-won’t-turn-off.638880/