primitives discuss used air filters

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1205239

Oh my.

Mosby (2,507 posts)    Sat Jan 19, 2013, 02:56 PM

Has anyone here used aftermarket K&N air filters?

I'm not looking for more power but better mileage.

Fumesucker (29,999 posts)    Sat Jan 19, 2013, 03:17 PM

1. It's been quite a while but I've had motorcycle and car K&N

They are a high quality product and they might possibly give you a slight mpg boost but unless you're planning on keeping the car for a long time you're unlikely to recover your investment.
 
If your car is a 96 or later and you don't have an electronic MPG readout I'd recommend a ScanGauge for getting the best mileage.
 
http://www.scangauge.com/

Once you can see when and where you are using the most gas it becomes a game to reduce your gas consumption to the minimum possible.
 
If you already have a MPG gauge then use it to fine tune your driving style, there's more efficiency gain for less money in driving style than any other single thing you can do to a car.
 
Seriously, my daughter had an Expedition with the 5.4 and a towing package, she had a hard time breaking 11 mpg with that truck where I could get over 18 mpg over the same trip just by adjusting my driving style to use minimum gas.

Mosby (2,507 posts)   Sat Jan 19, 2013, 03:27 PM

2. thanks, never heard of that.

bluedigger (8,690 posts)    Sat Jan 19, 2013, 03:35 PM

3. I put one on my old Grand Cherokee.

But it was just one of a group of mods to it, so I couldn't speak to the effect on fuel economy. Mine installed with hand tools and it should be a DIY project. As far as it being cost effective, you would probably be better served by finding an enthusiast forum for your particular vehicle and asking there.

Gold Metal Flake (13,748 posts)    Sat Jan 19, 2013, 11:51 PM

4. X2 on the ScanGauge.

I use mine to help maintain a 30MPG average on my daily commute in my Focus.

As for the K&N, the difference between it and paper filters is the K&N impedes airflow less than paper. The reason for that is the K&N material is more open than paper. The oil you apply to the K&N is what traps dirt, only it does not do as good a job of capturing fine particulates as a paper filter. So with a K&N filter you will be pulling in more contaminates. For this reason I have not converted to a K&N on my daily drivers.
 
For me, the Scangauge taught me a different way of driving, especially how to use my momentum to best effect and averaging my speed. 27-28mpg went to 29-30 and then to 30-31 with the addition of Continental Pro-Contact tires (with Ecoplus technology!) That Ecoplus stuff is some good shit. OK, my post is turning out to be just a copy of Fumesucker's.
 
Purely city driving still kills my average. Nothing can be done about that cuz you're always having to accelerate from a standing start.
 
What kind of car do you have?

Hey, here is an MPG-only version of the ScanGauge. http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugee/

[JohnnyReb]

TURBO air intake....for heavy equipment. Spins the dirt out before it gets to the air cleaner. When air filters can run upwards of a $100 a piece, they're worth the money.

[ChuckJ]

Why the hell are these earth killing bastards driving anything?!?!?! Don't they realize the damage that an infernal combustion engine does to the environment?!?!?!

[JohnnyReb]

Why the hell are these earth killing bastards driving anything?!?!?! Don't they realize the damage that an infernal combustion engine does to the environment?!?!?!

You don't understand....It's you that's supposed to give up everything.....not them.

[ChuckJ]

You don't understand....It's you that's supposed to give up everything.....not them.

Oops. My bad. I forgot the liberal mantra of rules for thee and not for me.