A self-closing filter (17') includes a housing (12) to be attached to a sidewall of a self- inflating pneumatic tire (50). The housing includes a cavity (26') to be in fluid communication with an atmospheric air inlet (22) of a pneumatic control valve for the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter (17') further includes a filtration media (16) to block contaminants from entering the cavity (26') while allowing atmospheric air to be drawn through the filtration (16) media into the cavity by a pump of the self-inflating tire. The self-closing filter still further includes a valve attached to the housing (12). The valve is selectively actuatable to an open state and to a closed state. The filtration media is exposed to an atmosphere impinging upon the tire when the valve is in the open state. The closed state is to prevent exposure of the filtration media to the contaminants when the valve is in the closed state.
