106 by the force of gravity when the filter housing 108 is installed with the dirt outlet 106 pointing in downward direction after partial separation of the dust particles in operation the air flows through the filter medium 12 into the inner space of the filter element dust particles are retained within the filter medium starting at a certain size that depends on the filter medium depending on the dust load the filter element must therefore be exchanged after a certain operating time at the outlet end of the filter element 10 between support tube 14 and outlet 104 a secondary element 28 is provided that is comprised of a relatively permeable filter medium and when the filter element 10 is exchanged remains in the housing 108 as a protection for the downstream air guiding manifold of the internal combustion engine against penetration of dust particles and other objects the secondary element 28 has at the closed end of the body 52 an end face 54 where a follower contour 56 is provided as a projection and can be used for release of the screw connection 32 at the housing 108 in the cover 110 of the housing 108 a follower contour 118 is illustrated as a recess this follower contour 118 can be used as a follower tool after detaching the cover 110 from the housing 108 and after turning over the cover 110 and placing it on the follower contour 56 of the secondary element 28 so as to provide a follower tool in this way it is possible to apply a.