When it comes to protecting your engine, investing in higher quality parts can help reduce the risk of any damage. If you're looking to increase power, fuel efficiency, or just reduce the hassle of changing your air filter frequently, a high-flow filter may be a great option. Although the numbers may be small and you may not even feel the extra power, it's still worth considering. A Skoda was tested with a paper filter, along with Pipercross and RamAir aftermarket filters.The results suggested that the increase in power could be due to less filtering, particularly with the CarQuest filter which was cheaper.
Unfortunately, there was no way to test the filtering process so this aspect was not observed. It's important to note that high-performance air filters are considered a modification and can void your warranty if you have a new vehicle that's still within the warranty period. Air is an essential factor in the internal combustion process that occurs inside the engine, and making sure your vehicle has adequate air flow can maximize engine power and efficiency. For some people, adding a high-performance air filter isn't a necessity but something they're interested in doing just for fun. What Fenske didn't check was how well each aftermarket filter actually filtered the air that entered the engine compared to the one the original unit filtered.
It was found that on the test bench, aftermarket filters produced more than the OEM unit, with the K&N filter earning the most (around four horsepower and five pounds). For most vehicles, it's not a necessity as is evident because manufacturers don't provide them when the vehicle is produced, meaning that the engine is designed to work well without additional airflow. However, for the average driver, installing one of these high-performance air filters may not have crossed their mind or they may be wondering if it's worth spending money on. If you don't make sure that your new high-performance filter has a good supply of cold air, power may decrease. Fenske also tested the filters in a real environment, checking acceleration times between all four candidates.
Fuel economy improves because high-performance air filters extract air from outside the engine compartment where it's colder. If you've ever been to an auto parts store, you've probably seen air filter boxes that promise more power and torque than factory filters. If your vehicle doesn't come with a high-flow air filter from the factory, changing it isn't part of regular maintenance but there are still some reasons why people decide to invest in this simple yet effective modification. High-performance air filters can provide increased power and fuel efficiency for your vehicle. They can also reduce maintenance costs by reducing how often you need to change your air filter. However, it's important to remember that these modifications can void your warranty if you have a new vehicle that's still within its warranty period.
Additionally, if you don't make sure that your new high-performance filter has a good supply of cold air, power may decrease. Overall, whether or not high-flow air filters are worth it depends on what you're looking for in terms of performance and maintenance costs. If you're looking for increased power and fuel efficiency without sacrificing too much in terms of maintenance costs, then investing in a high-flow air filter may be worth considering.
