Can Air Filters Improve MPG?

Learn how your car's air filter affects fuel economy and how regularly changing your air filters can maximize your vehicle's performance.

Can Air Filters Improve MPG?

The advantages of a new air filter are clear: a replacement can increase your MPG by up to 10% and save fuel costs. The more dirt the filter stops from entering the engine, the higher the chance that the life of the vehicle will be extended. Dirty air filters reduce air flow: air filters capture contaminants in a medium made of paper and synthetic fibers. Over time, this medium becomes filled with dirt and debris, preventing the engine from breathing properly.

As a result, the engine will work harder and consume more fuel. This effect is not as noticeable on modern fuel-injected engines. Late model vehicles use one or more sensors to measure the amount of air entering the engine. The vehicle's on-board computer uses this information to adjust engine operation as needed. To some extent, the computer can compensate for a dirty air filter.

However, if the air filter is clogged with dirt, the computer may not be able to do so. Inadequate air filters and faulty oxygen sensors can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%. Conversely, replacing dirty air filters and regularly checking oxygen sensors can significantly improve fuel efficiency. Yes, with a high-performance air filter that allows for greater airflow, the sound of the car also changes. This increased airflow will cause a more aggressive sound when driving.

Air filters enable the ventilation necessary to operate the engine, since they only allow clean, particulate-free air to pass through. The reason is that an engine only absorbs the amount of air that is needed, not the amount of air that is made available to it. In extreme cases, the engine may work so hard to extract clean air through the filter that particles can enter the engine and cause permanent damage. If you want an inexpensive mod instead of a cold air intake, these high-performance cone-shaped air filters are your best option. From what my friends and other online resources tell me, a high-performance air filter should be cleaned after approximately 30,000 miles.

Air filter changes are one of the simplest car maintenance tasks, but they make a big difference in engine performance. Overall, the air filter does what it promises, making it a wise investment, according to many drivers. Learn how your air filter can affect your fuel economy, how to know when it's time to change your air filter, and the benefits of regularly changing your air filters to maximize your vehicle's performance. Therefore, we have a device on the back of the air filter that measures the amount of air that enters through the air filter. A car's engine draws in ambient air (air that could be dirty) filled with dust, debris, sand, and insects. Clean air filters help your vehicle's emissions system by allowing adequate airflow, while a dirty filter prevents the emissions system from operating at full capacity.

This means that the filters trap almost all air contaminants and, at the same time, ensure a low pressure drop for maximum airflow. For example, Premium Guard air filters are designed to meet or exceed OEM requirements, with an efficiency of 99%.