The Ultimate Air Filter Buying Guide

24 Jun.,2024

 

The Ultimate Air Filter Buying Guide

What Are The Factors I Should Consider When Buying An Air Filter?

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You need clean air to breathe, and so does your engine. Air filters are the critical components of the vehicle as it prevents dust, debris, and other particles from entering your engine. If inside, these particles can disturb the performance of the vehicle and may cause hefty repairs. Cleaning your air filter is a vital part of the vehicle maintenance process. Finding the perfect air filter can be a daunting task because of the wide variety of options available. In this car air filter buying guide, you will see how to choose the air filter that fits your vehicle, its benefits, pros and cons, and much more.

1. Which Type Of Air Filter Should I Choose?

2. What Are The Factors I Should Consider When Buying An Air Filter?

3. Which Top Brand Air Filter Should I Choose?

4. Why Do I Need An Air Filter?

5. When Should I Replace My Air Filter?

6. What Are The Warning Signs Of A Bad Air Filter?

7. What Is The Cost Of Air Filters?

1

Which Type Of Air Filter Should I Choose?

The air filters installed in your vehicle can make a huge difference in its performance. The job of keeping dirt and other unwanted material out of the engine falls to the humble engine air filter. A vehicle that has a clean and exact fit air filter enhances fuel economy, improvises engine health, boosts acceleration, and lowers emissions. Below are the different air filters used in vehicles 

Paper Air Filters

The most common type of air filter used today are the paper air filter. This air filter is affordable and provides functional filtration. Manufacturers recommend replacing these filters after every 5-10 thousand miles as they collect an extensive amount of micro and macro particles. The cost of replacing paper air filters may increase over time though they are affordable in comparison with other designs. The cabin air filter is also a paper air filter designed specifically for the passenger&#;s compartment.

Gauze Air Filters

Foam air filters are very rare and you can usually find them on small engines such as lawnmowers and also on off-road, dirt, and rally-racing vehicles. However, some manufacturers offer foam wraps around other air filters which creates an extra barrier between the dirt and the debris and the combustion system. Pollutants must pass through the foam before it hits the air filter. Foam pre-cleaner wrap can be a great upgrade if your vehicle has to endure dusty conditions as it protects the engine in the long run.

Foam Air Filters

Foam air filters are very rare and you can usually find them on small engines such as lawnmowers and also on off-road, dirt, and rally-racing vehicles. However, some manufacturers offer foam wraps around other air filters which creates an extra barrier between the dirt and the debris and the combustion system. Pollutants must pass through the foam before it hits the air filter. Foam pre-cleaner wrap can be a great upgrade if your vehicle has to endure dusty conditions as it protects the engine in the long run.

Top Picks For Air Filters

K & N Performance Air Filter

FRAM Air Filter

MANN Filter Air Filter

K & N Performance Air Filter

2

What Are The Factors I Should Consider When Buying An Air Filter?

A. Where You Drive

  • Dusty Environments &#; If you are an off-road enthusiast looking for some extra protection from dusty environments, then foam air filters are an ideal choice. The only thing you will have to take care of is replacing the oil on a regular basis so it lasts the lifetime of the vehicle. 
  • Daily Commuters &#; If you are the one who takes your vehicle for regular servicing and drives back and forth from the office daily, then paper air filters are a good and affordable choice. You don&#;t have to worry much as the servicing takes care of the air filter replacement. But if you want to save bucks in the long run and want to forget about replacing air filters on a regular basis then opt for cotton gauze air filters that last a very long time and provide enhanced engine performance as well but for a premium initial price. 

B. Price

Paper air filters are an affordable and cost-effective solution to air filters but the low cost comes at the expense of poorer performance and shorter lifespan compared to the other types. Foam and cotton air filters are quite expensive but their long-lasting nature means you will require much fewer replacements which can become more economical in the long run. Some foam air filters can even last the lifetime of the vehicle. Cotton air filters are washable and some performance cotton filters can significantly boost engine efficiency and horsepower by allowing a larger volume of air through to the engine. 

So the price difference between expensive alternatives can be justified by their benefits but affordable filters provide a good bang for their buck. 

Buy Best Priced Air Filter Now

C. Performance Filters Vs Standard Filters

Performance cotton gauze air filters are a great choice for spirited drivers who wish to get the best for their vehicles. These filters can increase engine horsepower by as much as 10hp &#; that is enough to make your drive to the office way more enjoyable. Apart from the performance advantages, cotton filters are washable and reusable which makes them last much longer than standard paper filters. If you are in need of more performance from the vehicle or need hassle-free service from your air filter, then performance cotton air filters are an ideal option.

So the price difference between expensive alternatives can be justified by their benefits but affordable filters provide a good bang for their buck. 

Buy Performance Air Filter Now

4

Why Do I Need An Air Filter?

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For maximum vehicle power and better fuel economy, the vehicle owner has to keep a close eye on the conditions of the air filter and replace them as needed. Here are a few benefits of air filters:

A. Better Fuel Efficiency

A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your car&#;s engine, making it work harder and, therefore, using more fuel. The amount of air that flows through the engine will eventually increase when you replace the old air filter. You can also save money at the pump if there is more airflow into the engine as the fuel will combust more efficiently. 

B. Longevity Of The Engine

To keep the engine air cleaner, you need an air filter that is functioning properly. A particle as small as a grain of salt can get through a damaged air filter and do a lot of damage to internal engine parts, such as cylinders and pistons, which can be very expensive to repair. That&#;s why regularly replacing your air filter is very important as it considerably increases the life of the engine. 

C. Fewer Emissions

Dirty or damaged air filters reduce the airflow to the engine, changing your car&#;s air-fuel balance. This imbalance can pollute spark plugs, causing the engine to miss or rough idle; increase engine depositions, and cause the &#;Service Engine&#; light to turn on.  If the airflow into the engine is clean, then the dust, dirt, mud, and other particles will not get caught in the combustion process resulting in the cleaner exhaust.

5

When Should I Replace My Air Filter?

To achieve maximum performance and optimal gas mileage, air filters have to be cleaned and changed annually. Most auto-manufacturers will recommend changing the air filters after every 19,000kms (approximately) or 1 year depending on the vehicle make, model, and how you drive. But if you are driving in dusty areas, or if your car faces a lot of stress, then get them checked with a professional mechanic more often.

How to Know What Air Filter to Buy?

To choose the right air filter, you should consider the size of your HVAC system, the type of filter, and the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). The MERV rating ranges from 1 to 20, with higher numbers indicating better filtration. You should also replace your filter every three to 12 months of use, depending on the size of the filter.

Consumer Reports provides a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right air filter for your home. They suggest that you should select the right size, know the different types of home air filters, check the MERV rating, and know how often you should change your filter. When buying new air filters, disregard any that you can easily see through. Pleated filters have larger surface areas to trap more dirt.

6

What Are The Warning Signs Of A Bad Air Filter?

As the air filters have a massive impact on the proper functioning of the vehicle, it is highly essential that you replace them in a timely manner. A dirty or clogged air filter can even lead to driveability issues. Following are some symptoms that you may notice if you don&#;t replace your air filter at the suggested intervals.

A. Reduced Fuel Economy A very clear sign of a dirty or damaged air filter is the decrease in fuel economy. If the air filter is damaged or clogged, it will restrict the airflow which lowers the oxygen in the mixture. Your engine makes up for this by using more fuel to generate enough power to drive the same distance or speed as you do with a clean filter.

B. Misfiring Of The Engine An insufficient flow of oxygen from a clogged air filter allows unburnt fuel to leave the engine in the form of soot. This soot covers the spark plugs which makes it impossible to deliver the necessary spark to combust the air-fuel mixture. The engine will find it hard to start, resulting in misfiring or rough jerks.

C. Strange Engine Noise Are you hearing unusual noises than smooth vibrations of the engine? Then your engine may not be getting sufficient airflow which means the air filter needs replacement. The engine air filter might have been dirty or clogged reducing the airflow and altering the air-fuel mixture. This air-fuel mixture creates black soot over the spark plugs. This strange noise usually arises as the soot covers the spark plugs and it does not fire properly.

D. Check Engine Light Comes On Carbon deposits accumulate in the engine if the supply of air is inadequate which triggers the check engine light. If the light comes on, check the air filter if they need replacement before you run any other diagnostics. And this is one reason, most manufacturers recommend changing the air filter after every 15,000 km to 25,000 km.

E. Dirty Air Filter A brand new air filter will be in white or off-white color. But as days go by, because of the accumulation of dust, dirt, and other particles, they will appear darker. The dust particles on the inner layer of the air filter will not be visible even in bright light. So every time you take your car in for maintenance, make sure your mechanic visually inspects the air filter as it is highly essential.

F. Decreased Performance Is your car sluggish? Does it respond normally or jerks as you press the accelerator button? If these are the reasons, then there are good chances that the air filter is dirty and is preventing your engine from receiving clean air to function properly. To eliminate this issue, all you have to do is replace the dirty air filter.

G. Black Smoke/Flames From The Exhaust Some fuel may not burn completely in the combustion cycle if the air supply is insufficient. This fuel exits through the exhaust pipe. If you see black smoke from your exhaust pipe, get your air filter replaced by the mechanic. You may also see a flame at the end of the tailpipe or hear a popping sound. This condition is hazardous and needs to be diagnosed immediately.

H. Gasoline Smell In The Exhaust Do you smell petrol as you start your car? This can happen if there is insufficient oxygen in your fuel injection system and the excess unburnt fuel leaves your car through the exhaust pipe. Instead of black smoke in the exhaust pipe, you will smell gasoline. This is a clear sign that your air filter needs replacement.

I. Reduced Horsepower If your car does not respond adequately or if you notice jerking movements when you press the accelerator, this could indicate that your engine is not receiving all the air it needs to perform. Since it improves airflow, replacing your air filter can improve acceleration or horsepower by up to 11%.

Used Commercial Truck Buyer's Guide

Used Commercial Truck Buyer&#;s Guide: Emissions

 

Emissions standards are a category all their own. A lot of people are opting to buy older vehicles that are pre-emissions. That can be a serious gamble though. 

New Emissions Standards

 

The government set ambitious goals to reach an overall reduction in oil consumption by 530 million barrels and greenhouse gas pollution by approximately 270 million metric tons. 

According to the EPA, when optimized to the new standards, a $50 billion savings can be realized for the sum of all vehicles built between and . Of this figure, a class 8 truck might realize net fuel savings of $73,000 over ~ 435,000 miles traveled. The EPA says the investment in new tech is returned to the buyer within two years. 

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is part of the equation for emissions. It&#;s a necessary evil to get the emissions where the government wants them. One OEM tried to build an engine that didn&#;t need DEF which led to disastrous results. The American Petroleum Institute (API) certifies proven DEF products.  

Some suggest making homemade DEF. This is a big-time no &#; don&#;t do it. Without the certification, the quality control, and the filtration manufacturers&#; blessing, any resulting exhaust or engine failure is at the operator&#;s expense. The chances of the truck running right make the juice not worth the squeeze.  

Pre-Emission Trucks

 

Any model year and older doesn&#;t need DEF and doesn&#;t have to comply to current EPA standards for emissions. A truck in this era might be ideal for small outfits, farmers, and short haulers. These trucks tend to have a lot of mileage and a lot of wear. 

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