FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MT. BRADDOCK, PA - Green Filter USA, manufacturer of the Green High Performance Air Filter(r), understands that a quality air filter is a critical - and often overlooked - component of any well-functioning engine.

"Engine maintenance begins with the air filter," says Jason Early, sales and marketing director, Green Filter USA. "Proper selection and care will minimize long-term engine wear and help keep your car, truck or SUV in top operating condition."

FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
Early explains an air filter is like a shield that blocks dirt particles, preventing them from reaching the internal engine where they create friction between moving parts. Much like a cancer, these microscopic particles (measured in microns) slowly eat away at the metal - leading to mechanical failures, and repair bills.

At the same time, an engine relies on air intake to complete the combustion process (and thus function properly). Therefore, a sufficient amount of air must pass through the filter, and into the engine - while leaving harmful particles behind. This is where selecting the right air filter becomes critical.

NOTHING GETS BY
"Vehicle owners are most familiar with paper and foam air filters," says Early. "These come standard in new vehicles, are stocked by service centers and are sold through retail chains, typically for between $10 and $15."

According to Early, paper and foam filters are effective in blocking most debris, but generally will not trap particles smaller than 20 microns. Yet most internal engine wear is caused by particles between 10 and 20 microns that pass through the filter.

Green High Performance Air Filters, however, feature woven cotton construction. Cotton, due to its organic composition, is an ideal filtration medium. With two layers of tightly cross-woven cotton fabric, a Green Filter traps particles as small as 5 microns.

A PERFECT FIT
Many times, dirt particles bypass the filter entirely. This is because factory air boxes are made of plastic, and warp due to heat produced by the vehicle's engine. Paper and foam filters are typically contained in a flexible cardboard frame, and will not properly seal inside a misshapen air box - leaving small gaps through which harmful contaminants flow freely.

Green Filters feature a unique fitment design that combats this problem. Each comes with small tabs molded into the rubber seal. The tabs can be trimmed to achieve a custom fit to a brand new or slightly damaged air box.

GO WITH THE FLOW
Sustained air flow is another key benefit of a Green Filter. As paper and foam filters become clogged with dirt and debris, air flow to the engine begins to suffer. The result is a less potent air/fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders, which decreases gas mileage.

Green Filters come pretreated with a specially formulated dirt-trapping oil. The oil creates a positive (+) magnetic charge with the filter's stainless steel mesh shell. The positive charge attracts negatively (-) charged dust particles entering the filter, causing them to cling to the steel mesh and allowing the cotton to remain unobstructed for maximum air flow, and better gas mileage.

A SMART INVESTMENT
"A Green Filter saves you money at the pump, and over the lifetime of your vehicle, because it never needs replaced," notes Early.

Paper and foam filters are recommended to be changed every 3,000 miles, or with every oil change. If a vehicle owner purchases three new air filters a year, they will spend approximately $30 to $45. In five years, they will have spent $150 to $225. A Green Filter can be purchased for $45 to $65, depending upon the vehicle.

Green Filters are guaranteed for life, and require only occasional cleaning and re-oiling. Green Filter USA sells a complete Cleaner & Oil kit.

CAREFUL NOT TO SPILL
A Green Filter's rubber molding design is also a unique benefit. Most other filters employ a process of pressure injection molding, where rubber can spillover and leak onto as much as 25% of the filtering surface area. This restricts maximum potential air flow, even before the filter is installed.

Green Filter uses a precise, four-stage process to ensure the filter's moldings are nearly exact around the edges, with no surface area wasted. The result is better air flow than a same size injection molded filter.

ANYONE CAN GO GREEN
A Green High Performance Air Filter is available for virtually every domestic and import car, truck, van and SUV - including many hard-to-find European models such as BMW, Audi and Porsche. To find the correct filter for your vehicle, visit www.greenfilterusa.com or call Green Filter USA at 724.430.2050.

Green Filter USA expanded to North America in 2001 after a decade as Europe's largest performance air filter manufacturer. The company offers a full range of filters for compact cars, luxury cars, sedans, minivans, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and karts. Road and track tested, Green Filters are used by a number of Europe's top race teams, including: Peugeot Sport: World Rally Champions, Pro Drive WRC Subaru, Oreca Dodge Viper, Honda Europe and BMW Formula. Write to Green Filter USA at P.O. Box 149, Mt. Braddock, Pennsylvania, 15465.

# # #