viscous motor oil-

You need to read the part about squeezing it out.

I did read it.... doesn't seem to change the fact that the oil is thicker than syrup. What is the purpose of motor oil on an air filter?

Thanks.

It helps collect dust and dirt as the air is pulled through the sponge filter. Put a nickel sized spot in your palm, rub your palms together then kneed the sponge filter between your hands until the filter is evenly coated and your hands are as oil free as possible.

Just like it says, use clean engine oil of the type recommended for use in the crankcase. Oiled air filters are as old as the internal-combustion engine, and are very efficient. The modern K&N performance filter gets it's efficiency from the special oil you put on it.
I waste an ounce or so of oil when I oil a mower filter. I pour it on the filter, roll it in my hands to fully soak the filter, squeeze out as much as I can, then I roll the filter in paper shop towels. It helps if you actually LIKE to squeeze fresh engine oil out of a filter. :)
Years ago I wasted some money on a spray can of Heavy-Duty Corrosion-X, but eventually found it to be a good filter oil. It's a lot more viscous and sticky than engine oil.

What oil are you using that is "thicker than syrup"?
Hyperbole doesn't transmit well when you are asking for advice/info.

Hmmm, maybe I will change from my filter oil and go to syrup!

just over fill the crank case and it will automatically oil the air filter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But not recommended by me or the owners manual! ' the oil changing nerd".

Thanks for your help. I will go ahead and use the motor oil, then.