Are Premium Car Air Filters Worth It?

The more dirt, dust and abrasive debris that is removed from the air entering the engine, the more efficiently it will run and the longer it will last. Therefore, investing in a higher quality air filter can greatly contribute to higher engine efficiency and longer engine life. One of the advantages of a high flow air filter is that, unlike regular filters, it doesn't need to be changed every year. All you have to do is clean it approximately every two years.

This is because they don't clog as quickly or as easily, but they offer better airflow and better filtration of the air entering the engine. And if your engine gets more air, then it can perform better. In fact, a high flow air filter can increase your horsepower by about 3 to 5 HP and also increase your torque. At the same time, this can lead to higher fuel efficiency.

How? In some of the more expensive units, the filter comes with a cold air intake unit. It is installed to extract air from the outside of the car instead of the hot air used inside the engine compartment. Going back to science class, cold air is denser and therefore will burn better, thus improving your engine performance. Fitting a K&N high flow air filter is the easiest, most cost-effective and least technical way to increase engine performance.

K&N filters are worthwhile, reusable, and come with a 10 year or 1 million mile warranty. The numbers are small and you probably don't feel the extra power. Manufacturers typically install standard air filters in cars instead of high-performance air filters because of their prohibitive costs. Performance cotton air filters are the most efficient air filters and allow maximum air to circulate in the engine. An air filter helps seat the air more evenly instead of the air hitting the AF sensor in large chunks, which obviously makes the fuel more uniform.

It really is that simple and that's why upgrading an engine's air filter is the easiest and most cost-effective modification a homeowner can make. For some people, adding a high-performance air filter is not a necessity, but something worth buying simply because they are interested in modifying their vehicle. When performing routine maintenance on your vehicle, one of the most overlooked aspects is the air filter. However, for the average driver, the idea of installing one of these high-performance air filters may not have crossed your mind, or you may have wondered if it was worth spending the money. One measure is filter efficiency, which refers to the amount of particulate matter that does not pass through the filter. Air intake modifications are a permanent favorite of the tuning industry, so I've tried every variety you can imagine; from simple filters to polished aluminum cold air induction kits, to custom-made carbon fiber airboxes. The cooler air outside the engine compartment is denser than the warm air inside the engine compartment, which is heated by the internal combustion of the engine and other movement mechanisms that generate heat through friction. One problem that has been observed is that, due to increased air intake, high-performance filters can expose the engine to more debris and contaminants.

In addition, by replacing standard air filters with standard filters on a regular basis, you can keep the engine air clean and free of debris. Cotton allows much greater airflow than paper, more air; however, it risks allowing contaminants to enter but K&N has it covered; they use their secret sauce: filter oil. An engine does not run on gas alone; it needs air (oxygen) and since fire cannot exist without oxygen's presence; both gas and air are equally important. It's worth noting that not only are some oils not compatible between different brands of filters for optimal performance but some dissolve competing filters.

Dianna Lapere
Dianna Lapere

General tv guru. Wannabe travel fanatic. Devoted food guru. Incurable bacon aficionado. General travel trailblazer.