AIRFILTER

You should have a filter minder on the right, passenger side of the truck on the housing. When it is about 1/2 way down is a good time to change it. If you take it out of the housing be sure you wash out the housing with a wet rag, be sure you clean the housing completely and have no build up at the sealing surface area. If you get a build up you can get dirt to by pass the seal and dust the motor. If you take out the filter and the paper is broken loose from the glue on the outside screen replace the filter. Be sure the flactuator valve, rubber lips are in place.
You are not suppose to bounce the filter to clean it, if you do 2 inches is enough and keep rotating it. That is a good way to see if the paper is loose from the screen. Using a little white grease, to be sure the seal gets full contact is also a good idea.
The dirt you clean out of the housing does not get into the filter, once again clean is good. Just a thought!

 

You did not mention the make year of your truck.There is no need of changing the air till you put on 10000miles.If your air filter is in working condition then you just have to wash it with the organic cleaner that's it.

 

I would beg to differ on the idea of washing a filter. Most every filter that has failed and taken out the engine was a washed one, and I have seen a lot of dusted units.
Risking an engine over a filter to me is a little silly.
The company that built the truck and the filter will give you warranty if there filter set up fails. Ever seen a washable one give a guarantee?
Just a thought!

 

if your driving normal and you see smoke from your stack it stands a good chance you need an air filter