Simply replacing the engine air filter can increase power and, in some cases, even improve mileage. Therefore, we recommend changing the engine filter at least once a year or what is recommended in your vehicle's owner's manual. The numbers are small and you probably don't feel the extra power. Did you know that your vehicle also has a cabin air filter? That's right - this filter cleans the air that enters your vehicle, the air you breathe while you are behind the wheel.
A new air filter will increase fuel consumption, reduce emissions, allow optimal airflow and improve engine performance. In addition, changing the air filter regularly will protect the engine and vital internal engine parts from excessive wear and damage that leads to driving problems and potentially costly engine repairs. In order to minimize the chance of debris falling, avoid removing the filter from the housing. It's important to make sure the replacement air filter is designed for the exact make and model of your car. One of the benefits of a high flow air filter is that unlike normal filters, it doesn't need to be changed every year.
All you have to do is clean it approximately every two years. This is because they don't clog as quickly or as easily, but they offer better airflow and better filtration of the air entering the engine. And if your engine gets more air, then it can perform better. In fact, a high flow air filter can increase your horsepower by about 3 to 5 HP and also increase your torque. At the same time, this can lead to higher fuel efficiency. How? In some of the more expensive units, the filter comes with a cold air intake unit.
It is installed to extract air from the outside of the car instead of the hot air used inside the engine compartment. Going back to science class, cold air is denser and therefore will burn better, thus improving your engine performance. Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained put these claims to the test, and it turns out that yes, high-performance air filters actually produce more power. Like a clogged drain, a dirty filter deprives the system of vital air or fuel and makes each system it protects work harder to do its job. It's a lot like a vacuum cleaner - when you notice a decrease in power; a dirty filter can be the cause because the air is literally pushed at the price of your vehicle's energy. However, more and more current vehicle manufacturers are placing air filters in more complicated and difficult to access locations, mainly for design and space efficiency purposes.
It also reduces the air flowing through it from the air conditioner, reducing cooling that cannot be solved with a refrigerant refill. If you have allergies or a sensitive respiratory system, the cabin air filter is essential to creating a more comfortable driving environment. He finds that on the test bench, aftermarket filters produce more than the OEM unit, with the largest gains produced by the K&N filter (around four horsepower and five pounds).Whether you want to increase power, fuel efficiency, or simply reduce the hassle of regularly changing your air filter, a high flow filter can be a good option.
Leave a Comment