Are you wondering if changing your car air filter regularly can make a difference? The answer is yes! There are several benefits to changing your air filter, such as better gasoline performance, reduced emissions, improved acceleration, longer engine life and overall improved driving. You may even get an extra 1BHP from a good quality filter, but it won't be noticeable unless you're an expert. What better quality filters do have is that they take longer to clog. This means they don't give you more power, but they help avoid energy loss after you've driven a few thousand miles.
It all depends on the application. For example, I paid good money for a K&N air filter for my old Subaru 4-cylinder and noticed a clean grunt noise when accelerating, but no change in idle or mileage. On the other hand, when I installed the same filter on my Kawasaki Concours, I noticed a smoother idle and a small increase in top speed performance above 7,000 rpm. So, are aftermarket air filters worth it? Yes, they are! But don't expect lots of extra power when you hit the accelerator.
High flow air filters don't need to be changed every year like normal filters because they don't clog as quickly or as easily. They offer better airflow and filtration of the air entering the engine, which can lead to higher fuel efficiency and an increase in horsepower by 3 to 5 HP and torque. Some of the more expensive units come with a cold air intake unit that extracts air from outside the car instead of the hot air used inside the engine compartment. Cold air is denser and therefore burns better, improving engine performance.
Engineer Jason Fenske from Engineering Explained put these claims to the test and found that high-performance air filters do produce more power. However, it's important to note that this is just a recommendation and doesn't take into account your individual driving situation. High-performance filters can expose the engine to more debris and contaminants, so it's important to know the telltale signs of a dirty or clogged filter and replace it when necessary. A clean air filter will help your engine perform better; on newer cars, it can increase acceleration by up to 11%, and on older cars it can improve mileage by up to 14%.
It's also important to know where your air filter is located (you can refer to your owner's manual for this) so you can do a visual inspection. On some newer car models, the engine design makes it difficult to reach the air filter, which can slow down the process of replacing it. In conclusion, changing your car air filter regularly can make a difference in terms of better gasoline performance, reduced emissions, improved acceleration, longer engine life and overall improved driving. High flow air filters don't need to be changed as often as normal filters because they don't clog as quickly or as easily.
They offer better airflow and filtration of the air entering the engine which can lead to higher fuel efficiency and an increase in horsepower by 3 to 5 HP and torque.