Are washable car air filters worth it?

But unfortunately, independent tests have found that these filters provide hardly any performance benefits. Some of these reusable filters even allow more dirt to enter the engine. When dirt enters the engine, it enters the engine oil and can damage the engine. Fortunately, washable air filters can be easily cleaned and replaced at any time, allowing homeowners to remove harmful contaminants.

In addition, the breathable cotton fabric used in these filters tends to better absorb particles and allows more air to enter the engine, which improves engine health in the long term. The K%26N reusable air filters are definitely worth it, as they are designed to last the life of your vehicle. Mike won't need to buy a disposable filter for his F-150 again, because his replacement filter K%26N is covered by the K%26N Hassle-Free Limited Lifetime Warranty. The EPA has not tested oil-bathed filters or other free-flow air filters, but it has conducted tests that compare clogged conventional air filters with new ones.

Over time, lack of air and increased particulate matter can cause pistons and cylinder walls to break, leading to engine failure. In addition, some users say that oil sprayed on some of these types of filters also enters the air intake systems of engines. However, it is important to note that reusable air filters ensure that car owners buy far fewer air filters over the many years of owning their vehicle. And whoever came up with the idea of attaching a 1-inch hex nut to the end of an oil filter should get a prize because a clogged oil filter is a terrible thing during any oil change.

Increased airflow, while filtering out these particles, helps provide the strength and acceleration that every car owner seeks. As the filters are made of higher quality fabrics and can be reused after cleaning, they will last for many years. My relationship with K%26N began about a decade ago when a friend of mine who built racing cars told me I was a fool not to put a K%26N filter in my car. Some of these companies have many loyal customers who swear that they have benefited, especially in performance, from the use of these high-flow filters.

Over time, paper filters become clogged, restricting airflow to the engine and reducing vehicle performance and power. The initial investment may sting a little, but you'll still save money over time if you switch to a washable filter. Although they provide long-term savings, washable filters tend to be more expensive than standard air filters. The four to six layers of cotton gauze media used are sandwiched between two sheets of epoxy-coated aluminum wire mesh, and the filter is also pleated and oiled to improve filtration.

The EPA did not find a significant loss in fuel economy due to a clogged air filter, but it did find in a test of gasoline vehicles that acceleration improved with a clean air filter.