Super-pleated vehicle air filter

1. An air filter configured to be mounted onto an air inlet of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a filter medium configured to remove particulate matter and other contaminates from an incoming airstream;

a base comprising an inlet receiver, wherein the inlet receiver is configured to receive the air inlet, and wherein the base is configured to support the filter medium, and provide an interface between the air filter and the air inlet;

a cover that is configured (i) to fasten the air filter onto the air inlet via a fastener disposed in the cover, and (ii) direct the incoming airstream through the filter medium;

a first end cap comprising a first recess configured to receive a peripheral edge of the base thereby coupling the first end cap with the base, wherein the first end cap extends beyond the peripheral edge of the base; and

a second end cap comprising a second recess configured to receive a peripheral edge of the cover thereby coupling the second end cap with the cover.

2. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the fastener disposed in the cover includes a hole disposed in the cover and a threaded stud to extend through an interior cavity of the air filter.

3. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein a wire support is incorporated into the filter medium and configured reinforce the filter medium.

4. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the filter medium is retained between the first end cap and the second end cap.

5. The air filter of claim 4 , wherein the first end cap and the second end cap are each comprised of a deformable material sufficiently strong configured to support the filter medium.

6. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the filter medium is comprised of at least one of paper, foam, cotton, spun fiberglass, or other known filter materials, woven or non-woven material that is either synthetic or natural, or any combination thereof.

7. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the filter medium is pleated.

8. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the filter medium comprises oil, wherein a presence of oil is configured to enhance air cleaning properties of the filter medium.

9. The air filter of claim 5 , wherein the deformable material is one of rubber or plastic.

10. The air filter of claim 5 , wherein the deformable material is one of molded urethane, foam urethane, or a polyurethane elastomer.

11. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein the second end cap extends beyond the peripheral edge of the cover.

12. The air filter of claim 1 , wherein a wire support includes a wire screen positioned on an outer surface and an inner surface of the filter medium.

13. An air filter system configured to be mounted onto an air inlet of an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a filter medium configured to receive an incoming airstream;

a base comprising an inlet receiver, wherein the inlet receiver is configured to receive the air inlet, and wherein the base is configured to support the filter medium, and provide an interface between the air filter and the air inlet;

a first end cap comprising a first recess configured to receive a peripheral exterior edge of the base thereby coupling the first end cap with the base, wherein the first end cap extends beyond the peripheral exterior edge of the base.

14. The air filter system of claim 13 , further comprising:

a cover that is configured (i) to fasten the air filter onto the air inlet via a fastener disposed in the cover, and (ii) direct the incoming airstream through the filter medium;

a second end cap comprising a second recess configured to receive a peripheral edge of the cover thereby coupling the second end cap with the cover.

15. The air filter system of claim 14 , wherein the second end cap extends beyond the peripheral edge of the cover.