Filter device of a motor vehicle and method for operating same

A filter device of a motor vehicle, comprising:

• a step filter including a plurality of individual filter elements arranged fluidically in series with respect to one another for a stepwise filtering of air;
• two flow paths for a plurality of air streams of air, the two flow paths extending through the step filter;
• a first flow path of the two flow paths extending through at least two individual filter elements of the plurality of individual filter elements such that air is flowable through the at least two individual filter elements;
• a second flow path of the two flow paths extending through a number of the plurality of individual filter elements which, compared to a number of the plurality of individual filter elements through which the first flow path extends, is reduced by at least one single individual filter element, such that air is flowable through the number of the plurality of individual filter elements through which the second flow path extends;
• a plurality of adjustable air flaps arranged at least one of upstream and downstream of the step filter via which at least one of a first air stream of air of the plurality of air streams and a second air stream of air of the plurality of air streams is guidable through the step filter along at least one of the first flow path and the second flow path.