Buy the K & N filter charger cleaning kit and clean it properly. You spray the cleaner on the filter and let soak and wash with a gentle stream of water from the hose and let air dry. DO NOT SCRUB OR USE THE AIR HOSE TO BLOW IT DRY or you will damage the cotton media. I have a 2004 Ram with the Hemi and 145,000 miles and have used the K & N filter since new. I clean it every 40K miles and it looks like new.