Factors to Consider When Buying a New Engine Air Filter for Your Car
Choosing the right engine air filter is more critical than you think. A high-quality filter maximizes fuel efficiency and prolongs the life of your engine. But a poor choice can lead to reduced performance and costly repairs down the line. Stick around as we'll take you through all the factors to consider when choosing an engine air filter for your car.
Filter's Size & Style
There are different types of engine air filters available in various styles and sizes. These characteristics are key factors to ensure optimal filtration. An ill-fitting filter can create spaces where unfiltered air can bypass the filter and enter the engine. Be sure to check and compare the size and fit against the previous filter to make sure you have the right size and type of filter for your engine’s housing.
Driving Conditions
If you often drive on dusty roads, your filter needs to hold more dirt. Premium filters, like FRAM Extra Guard®, work great at capturing tiny contaminants that might bypass standard filters. However, if you often drive in high-traffic areas, the filter needs are different. More cars around you mean more fumes. In situations like this, a synthetic blend filter like FRAM Ultra® Air is recommended. It offers a good balance between airflow and filtration.
Filtration Efficiency
Choose an air filter with a high filtration efficiency. Efficiency is the percentage of contaminants an air filter removes. This quality is pivotal in safeguarding your vehicle's engine. Setting a new benchmark with a 99% efficiency, FRAM Ultra® Air offers the best protection for your engine. It's an ideal pick no matter your car needs.
OEM Recommendations
Consult your car's original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications. These provide valuable guidance on which air filter your vehicle's engine was designed to run with. It is recommended that you choose a filter that meets or exceeds your vehicle's OEM standards.
Ease of Installation
If you take pride in doing your own car maintenance, consider filters that are designed for easy installation. FRAM offers a range of engine air filters for a hassle-free installation.
Warranty
The warranty can provide added peace of mind regarding the quality and durability of the product. FRAM offers warranties for engine air filters to be free from defects for as long as the recommended change interval. This makes your purchase less risky.
When choosing an engine air filter, have in mind your car's specific filter needs and the driving conditions. For all-around engine protection, a filter with enhanced dirt-holding capacity, such as FRAM Extra Guard® or FRAM Ultra® Air, often excels in most applications. These filters are designed for easy installation and meet OEM standards.
Kara Snow | Capital One
Article QuickTakes:
Automotive engines fueled by gasoline or diesel need outside air to mix with fuel for the combustion that generates power. What they don’t need is any of the grit, pollen, and dust that floats around in the air. This is where an engine air filter comes in, trapping dirt before it can be sucked into the intake and potentially cause damage or reduce fuel efficiency and performance.
Here's how you can choose the right engine air filter for your vehicle.
There are two main types of engine air filter designs out there. The first is the drop-in panel type, which is typically rectangular or square and fits into an enclosed cavity in the air intake plumbing. The second is a cone filter that attaches to the opening at the front of the air intake without an enclosure.
Most vehicles are outfitted with a panel-type air filter from the factory. The easiest way to know which size you need is to open the engine air-filter housing, remove the filter, and bring it with you to the auto parts counter. You can also check in your owner's manual for the air filter part number or look it up online.
If you have a cone filter, it's even easier to remove and bring with you for comparison to a potential replacement. You may also have more wiggle room with a cone filter, as it doesn't have to be stuffed inside a housing, allowing you to go slightly larger or smaller if desired — as long as it attaches properly to the air intake plumbing.
The vast majority of engine air filters make use of a dry paper filtration element that is both effective and inexpensive. You might also encounter air filters that use synthetic filtration materials and can be washed and reused or filters that are made of cotton with a thin layer of oil that works to capture contaminants. These filters claim improved airflow and better air cleaning and are particularly common in high-performance applications.
For daily drivers, a paper air filter is a solid and affordable choice, generally starting around $15. For a sports car, however, you might want to invest in an oiled cotton filter, which in some cases could allow your motor to breathe deeper but can also cost three or more times the price of a paper filter. If you’re concerned with the environmental effects of regularly replacing a paper filter, then a washable, reusable filter might be more appealing.
Your owner’s manual has the definitive answer for how often you should change your engine air filter. In general, it should be done at least once a year. If you frequently drive on dusty dirt roads or in off-road environments, you should change it more often. If you suspect your vehicle’s performance or fuel efficiency has started to suffer due to a clogged air filter, it's worth inspecting the installed filter to see if it needs to be replaced.