paper filter better for MPG?
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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paper filter better for MPG?
Ok, I'll post this at the risk of opening Pandora's Box
I have an 03 Expy 5.4 4x4 that I had been using a K&N air filter in. I had used the filter in my previous truck with the same drive train and it had helped mileage by about 1-2mpg across the board. I put the filter in my 03 from week one. (I know the alleged pitfalls). The mileage was awful for the first year with the K&N. I averaged 13 in town and 14.5 on the highway. I had cleaned the filter regularly. I finally figured lets see what a paper filter does. I put it in and WHAM. The mileage jumped about 1.5 mpg all around. My driving habits are the same, the basic routes covered are the same. I'm stumped. The only thing I can come up with is the K&N let it breath too much and confused the O2 sensors, but that seems a little silly. Bottom line is the mileage is better and this is confirmed by hand, over 20+ tanks of gas from various stations.
Anyone else wanna take a stab?
I have an 03 Expy 5.4 4x4 that I had been using a K&N air filter in. I had used the filter in my previous truck with the same drive train and it had helped mileage by about 1-2mpg across the board. I put the filter in my 03 from week one. (I know the alleged pitfalls). The mileage was awful for the first year with the K&N. I averaged 13 in town and 14.5 on the highway. I had cleaned the filter regularly. I finally figured lets see what a paper filter does. I put it in and WHAM. The mileage jumped about 1.5 mpg all around. My driving habits are the same, the basic routes covered are the same. I'm stumped. The only thing I can come up with is the K&N let it breath too much and confused the O2 sensors, but that seems a little silly. Bottom line is the mileage is better and this is confirmed by hand, over 20+ tanks of gas from various stations.
Anyone else wanna take a stab?
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
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From: Washington State
Purely an educated guess.
But wouldn't you think that if you increased the air coming in the computer would then in turn increase the fuel needed to keep the mixture correct?
Makes sense that if you return to a paper fitler with less CFM flow that the fuel requirement would be less.
But wouldn't you think that if you increased the air coming in the computer would then in turn increase the fuel needed to keep the mixture correct?
Makes sense that if you return to a paper fitler with less CFM flow that the fuel requirement would be less.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by tkd
Some creative answers here. Thanks.
Bob, are you serious? I've never heard of such a thing and it seems like that would be a LOT of friction.
Thanks to all
Bob, are you serious? I've never heard of such a thing and it seems like that would be a LOT of friction.
Thanks to all
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 52
From: Lawton, Oklahoma
K&N MIGHT give small performance boost but I wouldnt use one if it allows more dirt into the system. You could improve the situation by doing oil changes more often, but if you were using it to gain only 1-2 MPG that extra oil change or two per year would scratch the benefit. And if you are the forgetfull type who manages to change oil only a couple times a year, you can count on early engine wear and oil consumption if you keep your vehicle a long time. An inefficient air filter will only compound the situation.
I think one can gain a couple miles per gallon by simply adjusting driving habits and keeping your vehicle well maintained.
I think one can gain a couple miles per gallon by simply adjusting driving habits and keeping your vehicle well maintained.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Halstead, KS
coming from the world of auto racing the K&N filters are a waste of $$$. Let me explain.
K&N says their filter flows more air....YES it does, but what they dont tell you is that is with no oil on the element. Also, the more you wash and reoil the element the more restrictive it becomes. My engine builder has dynoed 800 HP dirt latemodel engine with a new paper element, new fresh oiled K&N, and an older K&N that had been washed and reoiled a few times. The paper element proved to not loose much HP, the older K&N had lost over 30HP!!!!
Another way I look at it, what is nascar nextel cup cars using? 100% of them are running paper elements and with the multi-million dollar R&D that these teams have to try and get every single horsepower out of their engines if they are using paper elements than so am I.
K&N says their filter flows more air....YES it does, but what they dont tell you is that is with no oil on the element. Also, the more you wash and reoil the element the more restrictive it becomes. My engine builder has dynoed 800 HP dirt latemodel engine with a new paper element, new fresh oiled K&N, and an older K&N that had been washed and reoiled a few times. The paper element proved to not loose much HP, the older K&N had lost over 30HP!!!!
Another way I look at it, what is nascar nextel cup cars using? 100% of them are running paper elements and with the multi-million dollar R&D that these teams have to try and get every single horsepower out of their engines if they are using paper elements than so am I.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
A lot of times, the K&N filters, and similar filters are cone type, so putting it on will get you a few horse, just because it is a cone. I can think of at least my car that stock had a flat air filter, but now it has a cone filter. It gave it a little more pep. The expedition on the other hand, has a stock cone paper filter. The only bad part is that it sucks through a small hole in the fender. If a person is to cut up the airbox so that the paper filter is still held on, it will flow better, having less restriction, and getting some more power.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,417
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From: Durham, NC
Originally Posted by mistercmk
A lot of times, the K&N filters, and similar filters are cone type, so putting it on will get you a few horse, just because it is a cone. I can think of at least my car that stock had a flat air filter, but now it has a cone filter. It gave it a little more pep. The expedition on the other hand, has a stock cone paper filter. The only bad part is that it sucks through a small hole in the fender. If a person is to cut up the airbox so that the paper filter is still held on, it will flow better, having less restriction, and getting some more power.
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2004
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"most cone filters pull hot air, from under the hood, which reduces power......"
Only if their not pulling air in from the outside. The element, (paper, K&N, cone, flat) will pull whatever air is available. Any air filter will pull hot air from under the hood if it is available. That's where the Cold air intake system comes into play. Sorry, just a little nit pickin'!
Only if their not pulling air in from the outside. The element, (paper, K&N, cone, flat) will pull whatever air is available. Any air filter will pull hot air from under the hood if it is available. That's where the Cold air intake system comes into play. Sorry, just a little nit pickin'!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
Originally Posted by Bob Ayers
Most cone filters pull hot air, from under the hood, which reduces power......
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Valley of the Sun AZ
TDK
I have the same thing. I have a 99 F-150 and a 2001 Expy with the same engine. I have a K&N in my truck and I get better MPG and a Paper in the Expy, because I lost MPG in it with a K&N filter.
Go figure
I have the same thing. I have a 99 F-150 and a 2001 Expy with the same engine. I have a K&N in my truck and I get better MPG and a Paper in the Expy, because I lost MPG in it with a K&N filter.
Go figure
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