a hot wire air flow meter arrangement comprises a primary and an auxiliary air flow path defined in the air induction passage . a hot wire is provided in the primary air flow path for monitoring air flow rate therethrough . a flow restricting means is provided in the auxiliary air flow path for restricting air flow therethrough . the flow restricting means is selectively operative so that it is effective for restricting air flow in a low engine load condition to force the major part of induction air to flow through the primary air flow path and is not effective at high engine load range so as to minimize flow resistance for induction of sufficient amount of air to an internal combustion engine .