Jmc721

Hey everyone!

So I took my 2009 civic for an oil change at valvoline yesterday and, as I'm sure you know, they check things such as air filters, coolant level etc etc.. Well when I left I noticed my engine sounded deeper like it was taking in more air. Since I was already on the road, I figured I would check it later. I noticed that I was getting incredible gas mileage. Double what I usually get. I popped the hood and noticed the air box was completely disconnected. (They forgot to connect it after they checked on the filter) so now this had me thinking...would say a K&N air intake give me better gas mileage like that because of the better air flow? After seeing my car get 40 mpg with one square on the gas gauge, I will be forever haunted with the current set up only allowing me 15-20 mpg per square. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!!
Jon

ezone

Your air filter box was left wide open?
Didn't your check engine light come on?


On a modern fuel injected engine, an air filter does not cause you to gain or lose gas mileage, only performance.
It only took the EPA 30+ years to admit this.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/maintain.jsp

I would use an OE filter, but that's me.
A K&N that is overoiled can contaminate the MAF sensor. And, K&N is not known for filtering efficiency (meaning it filters out the biggest chunks of dirt, and lets the smaller chunks pass through).


You have instant MPG on your dash?

Counting miles per square on the fuel gauge is no way to gauge real and actual fuel economy/gas mileage.

I suspect if your usual MPG is 15-20 that you are in quite a bit of heavy stop and go traffic.
You could easily double that if you go steady 55 MPH on the highway.