Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
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Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
So I've been reading through the forums and some of you guys mentioned that if more air is allowed in the intake, then the computer will release more gas which will then produce more hp. But if less air is sucked in, then less gas will be shot in the engine, producing more MPG right?
So then why would you get worse MPG if you have a clogged, more restrictive air filter?
So then why would you get worse MPG if you have a clogged, more restrictive air filter?
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From: NV
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Re: Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
usually you dont, mpg is not really affected much by dirty air filter. unless its clogged to the point where the engine is not able to take in the minimum air that it needs to run properly. then you start to mess with the a/f ratio and when the car is not moving very well, you press the gas down harder which makes the problem worse and uses alot more gas. so to answer your question, a very clogged filter can affect the engine by reducing available hp, which will make you press the gas more to make the car go faster like it did with a clean filter.
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So basically I shouldn't really worry about losing MPGs with a dirty filter. But if the filter is in REALLY bad shape, the car will start to lose power and run rich, and then it would need to be changed...
Do you know how often i should change the filter? I have an after-market one and its really hard to tell if its dirty or not (its like burgundy). I bought the car with this filter btw.
Thanks
Do you know how often i should change the filter? I have an after-market one and its really hard to tell if its dirty or not (its like burgundy). I bought the car with this filter btw.
Thanks
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Rep Power: 235 Re: Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
Rule of thumb: if you can't see through it, change it.
Being aftermarket it's probably oiled, which means reusable with cleaning and re-oiling. I wouldn't recommend oiled filters as the tend to gunk up the sensors. Go with OEM or aftermarket dry. A lot of people like the cheap eBay intake with a good aftermarket cone filter.
Being aftermarket it's probably oiled, which means reusable with cleaning and re-oiling. I wouldn't recommend oiled filters as the tend to gunk up the sensors. Go with OEM or aftermarket dry. A lot of people like the cheap eBay intake with a good aftermarket cone filter.
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From: NV
Rep Power: 812 Re: Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
my oiled foam cone filter (NOT cotton gauze, real foam) i have to clean every 6 months or i feel noticable power loss. when i had paper, once a year usually.
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Rep Power: 188 Re: Quick question about the amount of air going in the engine:
If you happen to have a filter that is supposed to be oiled, but is not, it will not catch nearly as much dirt as it is supposed to. By the time any filter gets clogged up enough to reduce air flow and power, you will see dirt caked up on it. Make sure you are looking at the side of the filter that is holding the dirt. It may look clean on the top, but be really dirty on the bottom because the air is piped in from the bottom.
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