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A couple of my friends swear by K & N, and won't run anything but.
I did a quick search, and the improvements in mileage and/or performance seem negligible.
Are there any real, noticeable differences in the quality of air filters? Mine get so dirty after about a year I want to change them, even though the interval is supposed to be 30000.
If I go with a basic model like fram, will that be an issue?
I run K&N's in all our cars because I like them. No other reason. If your on top of it and changing with a auto store quality filter is what you want your fine too.
There is an inverse relationship between filtering and air flow. You can filter 100%, but then there would be no air getting through, you could filter 0%, but then no filtering, or you can filter somewhere in between.
Most OEM and paper filters filter 90-98% and are one-time only use. K&Ns I believe are 95-98% and are reusable, which in my mind is the real reason to use them - instead of buying a new paper filter each year, you can buy a K&N once and clean it yearly, saving money in the process. K&N states that its filters improve power and mpg, but I doubt that. They do increase airflow a bit, and thus filter a bit less, but that's where good engine oil comes in - it filters the engine internals.
Rather than pay $30 annually to replace a filter, you can buy a K&N filter and cleaner for $60 and end up saving money after the second year.
There is an inverse relationship between filtering and air flow. You can filter 100%, but then there would be no air getting through, you could filter 0%, but then no filtering, or you can filter somewhere in between.
Most OEM and paper filters filter 90-98% and are one-time only use. K&Ns I believe are 95-98% and are reusable, which in my mind is the real reason to use them - instead of buying a new paper filter each year, you can buy a K&N once and clean it yearly, saving money in the process. K&N states that its filters improve power and mpg, but I doubt that. They do increase airflow a bit, and thus filter a bit less, but that's where good engine oil comes in - it filters the engine internals.
Rather than pay $30 annually to replace a filter, you can buy a K&N filter and cleaner for $60 and end up saving money after the second year.
I've looked seriously at doing that, but the numbers just don't work for me. First of all, there's the initial cost you mentioned - about $60 for the K&N. But there's also the cost of the cleaning/oiling kit, and that runs about $15.
Most standard air filters run about $10. I change mine once per year. So I'll go about 10 years before I'd recoup the initial cost, and kit, of the K&N.
For me it's not worth it. But then again, I don't regularly drive on dusty roads.
If your filters are that inexpensive, that's a good point. There's also how quickly a filter gets dirty to consider, but generally, 12-24 months is when they need to be replaced. The main point I was trying to make is that it comes down to the relative cost of going with paper vs metal/cotton to me. For my cars, a K&N filter is quickly the less expensive option, but ymmv.
I've used both types, disposable and K&N (or equivalent). To be honest, I don't think you would notice any particular performance or mileage improvement by only switching to K&N. Perhaps as part of a more extensive change. I do like the aspect of never having to buy the filter again. As was said previously, YMMV.
I don't think I would wait 30K miles to change an air filter, though. Depends, I suppose, on your particular driving conditions.
all good points. put me down for the 'it doesn't help power or MPG but does cost less in the long run' category. now, if you're talking a K&N intake, that's another story entirely.
I think going three or four years without an air filter change is a bit long, too.
I got a 2 for 1 deal on fram air filters for $10.
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