Auto Air Filters

[Texas Star]

Saw the thread on oil filters. What do you guys think of air filters? And how often do you change them?

Thanks,

T-Star

 

[oldman45]

Saw the thread on oil filters. What do you guys think of air filters? And how often do you change them?

Thanks,

T-Star

If you are talking engine air filters, about every 12, 000 miles

Talking air conditioning filters, about every 50,000 miles.

 

[Texas Star]

Meant air filters, but thanks for the info on A/C filters.

T-Star

 

[cp1969]

The only way to accurately tell is with a restriction indicator but not many cars or pickups have them. My Dodge Cummins does.

I've had a lot of experience with air filters over the years in big trucks and ran some in such filthy conditions that you would swear the filter was clogged in one day. I had a Donaldson field engineer pay me a visit and he brought me up to speed quickly.

Without the restriction indicator, the best you can do it follow your owner's manual. Changing too often does not do your engine good; in fact, it will inhale dirtier air from a new filter than a dirty one. There is no bypass on an air filter so you don't have to worry about dirt getting past it when it gets dirty. It would have to rupture to do that.

 

[billd13]

I have had K&N air filters on my 1970 Boss 302, Mustang GT's and my F150's for the last 23 years. One cleans them when they are dirty and re-oils them and they go over 100,000 miles. They also breath more air through at the same pressure drop as a stock paper type air filter.

 

[Harrison]

K&N. Never changed one yet. Clean them every 25,000 or so. Change AC filter every 15,000.

 

[CZBrian]

I believe the test on the Bobistheoilguy.com showed that K&N filters don't filter as well as the paper filters. Seems logical that more flow = less filtration given the same size filter.

 

[Capt Steve]

I've been using K&N for years with good results. I clean them when they get dirty (what a concept). How often depends on where you live and how/how far you drive. Here in dusty Arizona about once a year (for me about 7500 miles), does it. A K&N will pay for itself (vs paper filters that are way overpriced), in a couple of years.

 

[Knightrider03m]

Ford tells me once every 30K miles. So that is when I do it.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I've been using K&N for years with good results. I clean them when they get dirty (what a concept). How often depends on where you live and how/how far you drive. Here in dusty Arizona about once a year (for me about 7500 miles), does it. A K&N will pay for itself (vs paper filters that are way overpriced), in a couple of years.

K&N filters do work well.

Every change a regular air filter and have to clean up the dust and dirt that has gotten past it? I have. That doesn't happen with K&N filters.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I believe the test on the Bobistheoilguy.com showed that K&N filters don't filter as well as the paper filters. Seems logical that more flow = less filtration given the same size filter.

I use K&N on my Harleys . I clean and re-oil them as directed at least 6 times a year or more when I feel like it . I can't remember the micron size of the filter , (Plank length?) but the last I remember it is a tighter screen than the factory requires and the increased performance was noticable .

 

[ogilvyspecial]

Another K&N user here. Been using them on all our vehicles for at least 15 years, or thereabouts.

Clean them based on driving conditions, here in Michigan and the areas we drive in means about once a year.........

 

[cowboy117]

I have K&N air filters on my F250 and Mustang GT.Clean every 25-30,000 miles.I use the kit[cleaner and oil].

 

[ladder13]

Talkin' filters, don't forget the cabin filter. Just changed my wife's Nissan, that thing was filthy , looked like something was growing between the pleats.

 

[Texas Star]

Talkin' filters, don't forget the cabin filter. Just changed my wife's Nissan, that thing was filthy , looked like something was growing between the pleats.

What's a cabin filter?

T-Star

 

[DeathGrip]

What's a cabin filter?

T-Star

Newer cars have filters for their A/Cs.If you have one that does change it as per manufacturers specs.They can harbor nasty bacteria that'll make some people sick.Especially those with lung issues.

D.G.

 

[cp1969]

K&N filters do work well.

Every change a regular air filter and have to clean up the dust and dirt that has gotten past it? I have. That doesn't happen with K&N filters.

How did dust get past your paper filter?

 

[therevjay]

I used to use a K&N filter, when I had a mustang. They do work just fine, and will save you money in the long run.

Now that I drive a 'grandpa car' I stick with paper filters, and change yearly. I think they filter just as well, it's easier, and the proformance differance don't really matter anymore.

K&N claim better mileage as well as a proformance benefit, but I don't think I believe that with computer controlled engines. Engine breaths better, computer says, OK we need more fuel. With carburated engines, it probebly is true.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Toyota has serviced my Tundra since new. 140k miles they have put 2 new air filters.

 

[cp1969]

Air filters generally last a LOT longer than people think, plus they do their best filtering when dirty. You cannot tell anything about them by simply looking.