Dirt, dust, and debris can cause damage to the vital components of your car including exhaust system. An air filter is the most prominent defense against these particles. The best car air filter can protect your engine and keep the vehicle running smoothly.
A recent study reveals that about 68% of car owners have at least one mechanical problem in their vehicle. That occurs due to the lack of regular maintenance that includes changing the air filters. It can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars.
To maximize the efficiency of an engine’s performance and durability, a clean air filter is necessary. Hence, it is essential to replace air filters in your car regularly.
So, where can you find the best car air filter that can improve your engine’s efficiency?
To answer that question, we have compiled the best of them in the following list after meticulous research. Read on to find out more about what makes these stand out among a sea of other products.
Honorable Mention
K&N Engine High Performance, Washable, Replacement Air Filter
6 Best Car Air Filter
The best car air filter can help your engine work better and last longer. However, a bad filter can not prevent the damages that dirt, dust, and abrasives cause – eventually setting your car on fire. Hence, it is vital to pick out a superior quality product that also gives you value for your money.
So, here is a detailed review of the best car air filter available in the market. Read on to find out if you can find the one most suitable for your car.
1. K&N Engine High Performance, Washable, Replacement Air Filter
Pros
- Lasts up to ten years
- Pre-oiled for easy installation
- Saves money on replacement
- Excellent engine protection
Cons
- Expensive initial cost
- No performance enhancement in some cars
We recommend this as the best car air filter for various reasons. Two of the important reasons are its ultimate durability and excellent efficiency.
This air filter is designed and manufactured using state-of-the-art technology. The top-notch filtration media ensures up to fifty percent more airflow than other filters. It also increases power and acceleration.
It is also very easy to install since it is pre-oiled, and you can immediately fix it in your vehicle. It can be one of the quickest ways to add performance to your car.
It is a washable and reusable product. Hence, it is good for the environment by reducing waste. This filter can last longer than ten disposable filters.
This product is manufactured using high-quality components. Also, it is made in the USA in compliance to all the quality regulations.
Moreover, this air filter is the official air filter of NASCAR. This filter also comes with a ten-year or a million-mile limited warranty.
Features
- Easy Installation: Pre-oiled
- Excellent Longevity: Comes with a Million Mile Limited Warranty
- Eco-Friendly: Washable and reusable filters
- Low Maintenance: First cleaning after 50,000 miles
- Race Tested: Trusted by NASCAR
It is a race-tested air filter that has an excellent impact on performance and mileage. The reusable and easy-to-install design saves you a lot of time and money.
2. EPAuto GP450 Panel Air Filter
Pros
- Streamlined design
- Higher efficiency
- Compact pleating
- Affordable pricing
Cons
- Although durable, it is not as durable as competitive products
- Suitable only for certain car models
It is one of the best car air filters for its excellent ability to extend performance. It has a standard functional design streamlined to ensure high efficiency.
It has ridges placed compactly to enhance the overall efficiency. The pleated ridges can provide a greater level of filtration.
This filter is also designed with many pleats that ensure maximum filtration of air that enters the combustion chamber and intake system. It can boost the performance of your engine.
Also, this product is available at an affordable price with top-notch features. However, it is not compatible with many of the vehicles. Hence, ensure to check the model it can fit well.
Additionally, this filter requires replacement only once every 12,000 miles. It is more compatible with Honda fit mods
Features
- Excellent protection against dust: Design ensures dust-protection
- Improves fuel mileage: Overall effectiveness improves mileage
- Extended Lifetime: Requires replacement once 12,000 miles
- Effective Design: Compact pleasures ensure effectiveness
- Improves Performance: Powerful filtration
This filter has an excellent design crafted to provide maximum filtration. Also, the high level of filtration ensures enhancement of performance.
3. Fram Extra Guard CA4309 Air Filter
Pros
- Impressive design
- One of the most affordable air filter
- Can remove 99.95% of dirt and debris
- Prevents damages to engine’s interiors
Cons
- Occasional factory defects
- Not suitable for various common vehicle models
It is the most inexpensive filter in our list of the best car air filter. It can provide two times more protection than products of similar price. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for an affordable and high-performing filter.
It has layers of paper media encased in a metal mesh. It is designed to trap all the dust and dirt particles and prevent them from entering the engine.
However, this is not a reusable filter, yet you can use it for a long time. It also increases horsepower and improves overall performance.
It can remove about 99.5% of all dirt, dust, and other airborne contaminants. That will ensure only clean air enters your car’s interiors and will prevent any damage or premature wear.
Features
- Excellent Performance: Two times more protection
- Impressive Design: Layers of paper encased in steel mesh
- Durability: Replacement after 12,000 miles
- Effectiveness: Can remove up to 99.5% of airborne contaminants
- Increases Horsepower: Can increase engine performance
Fram Extra Guard CA4309 Air Filter is one of the most affordable car air filters that is excellent in its performance. The effective design ensures no dust particle enters the engine parts and thus minimizes the chances of damage.
4. Genuine Toyota Camry Air Filter
Pros
- It is easy to install
- Effective in removing contaminants
- Excellent quality
- Reputed brand
Cons
- Not durable as competitive products
- Performance enhancement is not impressive
Genuine Toyota Camry Air Filter is an excellent choice in the list of the best car air filter. It has various impressive designs that ensure your vehicle receives maximum dirt filtration.
It is a genuine OEM or Original Equipment Manufacturer design by Toyota. You can rely on this product for its effectiveness and quality. Also, Toyota is a reputable brand.
It is excellent at removing airborne contaminants. Therefore, it can prevent the contaminants from entering the engine and damaging it.
For best results, you can use it with BMW motor oil while fixing it. However, you can use it with other brand oils as well.
This product is made of high-quality materials. It is manufactured in the USA in compliance to the highest quality guidelines.
Features
- Easy Installation: Designed for easy installation
- Reliable quality: Genuine OEM part
- Highly Efficient: Removes all contaminants
- Low Maintenance: It can last longer
- Direct Fit: OEM ensures direct fit
Genuine Toyota Camry Air Filter is a genuine original equipment manufacturer design by Toyota. It will ensure high efficiency and ensures your vehicle only gets thoroughly filtered air.
5. ECOGARD XA4878 Premium Engine Air Filter
Pros
- Premium design
- Compatible for many models
- Improves fuel economy
- Excellent replacement for OEM parts
Cons
- Difficult to fit in compartments
- Slightly odorful
It is one of the most versatile filters on our list of the best car air filter. This ECOGARD manufactured filter is compatible with a wide range of vehicles.
It is a premium filter designed to provide better-filtered air for your engine. It was also tested to function with the Lincoln and Ford models. This filter can be used as a direct replacement for OEM car air filters.
Additionally, it is so easy to install that you can do it yourself. It can save you a lot of money and time. It can also improve fuel economy while being available at an affordable price.
However, their shapes are quite different from the usual filters, making it difficult to fit inside compartments.
Features
- Premium design: Different design from stock filters
- Improves fuel economy: Designed to provide better mileage
- Increases performance: Better air filtration
- Unique Design: Increases filter performance
- Decrease Wear: Excellent filtration decrease damages
ECOGARD XA4878 Premium Engine Air Filter is an effective filter that has a premium design to ensure efficiency. Additionally, it is very durable since it requires replacement once every 12 months.
6. EPAuto GP075 (CA10755) Replacement Panel Engine Air Filter
Pros
- Minimizes damage to the engine components
- Compatible for numerous models
- Improves performance
- Best replacement for OEM parts
Cons
- Too dense
- Requires adjustments for perfect fitting
EPAuto GP075 (CA10755) Replacement Panel Engine Air Filter is our last pick in the best car air filter list. It has excellent features, and it is also one of the highly performative air filters.
It can reduce premature wear and tear as a result of preventing dust from entering the engine. Also, this filter was crafted to provide higher performance as well as fuel economy.
This a very durable product as well. It requires replacement only after 12,000 miles. It is also compatible with many of the modern and old car model types.
It is one of the most effective car air filters available in the market that is available at an affordable cost.
Features
- Excellent protection: High level of filtration
- Highly compatible: Designed to replace OEM parts
- Increase fuel economy: Designed to increase the mileage
- Enhances engine performance: Excellent filtration boosts performance
- Decreases damage: Thick air filter with large ridges traps particles
EPAuto GP075 (CA10755) Replacement Panel Engine Air Filter is a powerful filter. It fits perfectly after some adjustments with a wide range of car models due to its design.
Things to Consider When Buying the Best Car Air Filter
The best car air filter will have numerous factors that decide its quality and performance. Consequently, on some occasions, it may get overwhelming to understand them all. So, here is a small guide that can help you with the things to consider while purchasing a car air filter.
You can evaluate the following factors before making any decision. With the following information, you can make a better choice.
Filter Size
Before you shortlist any air filter, it is important to consider the size of the filter. The size should fit your air filter system and the model of your engine.
Most of the available filters have the size printed on the side. However, the figures are often a rounded measurement. That means they are undercut by up to half an inch of the precise size.
You can use a measuring tape to get the exact measurement of the height, depth, and width. This way, you can ensure that you do not buy any misfits that may turn out to be useless.
Filter Model
It is vital to consider the filter model before shortlisting some products that can be the best car air filter. That is because the model decides the fitness, depth, width, and height of the filter.
Also, knowing the model can help you in finding the right filter quickly. On the other hand, Many manufacturers design filters to fit specific engine models. Additionally, they will help you sort the wide range of filters that are available in the market.
After-market or OEM
Original filters are car air filters that the manufacturer of your vehicle specifically builds to fit the model. Original Equipment Manufacturer parts (or OEM) is another name for original filters.
On the other hand, after-market filters are air filters manufactured by various other manufacturers to fit the model. After-market, filters are manufactured with the same design as the original. Also, they are usually cheaper than the original, yet they provide the same level of quality. However, some reputed after-market brands provide better quality air filters than the original.
SAE testing and approval
Car air filters are subjected to tests to ensure they meet the engine manufacturer’s requirements. After the evaluations, if they meet those requirements, they are approved by the SEA or Society of Automotive Engineers.
The filters are rated based on the following factors after the testing. They are the amount of dirt and debris they can trap, how long the filter can last before clogging, and its efficiency.
Micron Rating
The air filters are made of microscopically small pores measured in microns.
A micron is a unit of measurement that is one-millionth of a meter. A human hair is about 50 microns.
The density, thickness, number of pleats, and micron size decide the quality of an air filter. The lower the micron rating, the higher the ability of the filter to trap dirt and abrasives.
Filter Mileage
The best car air filter will ensure efficiency and ensure mileage if you use a superior quality air filter. You do not have to change it every time you change the engine oil.
Also, a high-flow air filter can enhance the horsepower of your vehicle by 2 to 5 HP. They can increase the torque and fuel sender unit’s efficiency, and this means better mileage for your vehicle.
Environment
The environment in which you drive around your car impacts the efficiency of the air filter. If the place you live in is unusually dusty, you should always choose a better quality filter than someone who lives in a place that is not as dusty.
You must also consider better quality filters if you live near a beach, gravel or dirt roads, or a highly polluted city. Hence, always consider your environment, whether you live in the countryside or a city, before picking the best car air filter.
FAQ's
If you have any doubts about the best car air filter, this segment can clear it all out –
How often should you replace a car air filter?
The air filters in your vehicle protect your engine by sucking up all the dust, bugs, and abrasions. Hence, they are bound to get dirty and clogged over time.
A dirty and clogged air filter can affect your vehicle’s performance and engine power. They also impact mileage and exhaust emissions. Therefore, they need to be changed regularly.
The time intervals actually depend on various factors. That includes the model of the car, your vehicle’s environment, driving conditions, and the quality of the filter.
Along with changing the engine oil, it is always better to change it about once every 11 to 12 months. Alternatively, you can check the meter and change it every 14,000 miles to 30,000 miles.
Nevertheless, if you are driving in a very dusty and polluted environment, it is better to change it more often. Even if you are not driving your car much, you must change the filter once in two to three years at the least. That is because they become brittle and less efficient with time.
Also, make sure to check the manual for more specifications about your car’s filter replacement catalogs.
How do I know if my car air filter needs to replacement?
Many vehicle owners are not sure when to change the car air filters. So, here are some of the signs that can tell you that it is time to change the old filter in your vehicle.
Firstly, the air filter will look dirty. A new air filter is usually light in color, and as dirt accumulates, they turn darker.
If the filter looks significantly darker than how it was initially, it is a major sign to replace the filter. You can pick any of the filters from the above list of the best car air filter that suits your motor oil.
Check engine light can turn on for various reasons. Nonetheless, it can be because your vehicle’s air filter is too inefficient due to excessive usage.
If there is not enough air passing through the filter into the engine, layers of carbon can build up over the components. It can trigger the check engine light.
How long does it take to replace filters on my car?
Although the time required to replace a filter in a car varies, you can generally do it very quickly. It is one of the simplest maintenance jobs. It takes few minutes, and it does not require any special tools.
However, a lot of new vehicles have filters placed in tricky locations. That is mainly for design and space optimization.
These types of filters require more service time than other vehicles. Nevertheless, they do not waste a lot of your time.
What happens if I don’t replace the car air filter regularly?
As the filter gets old, it will become too dirty and will get clogged. That will result in the filter blocking the air required for the combustion chamber. If you do not change the car air filter regularly, there are many consequences.
If your engine does not get enough filtered air, it will lower the horsepower of the engine. Thus, your vehicle may jerk when you press the gas. Moreover, it may not respond as it is supposed to with enough air.
Also, lack of oxygen leads to improper combustion of the fuel. It can lead to popping sounds, flames at the tailpipe, black and sooty smoke from the exhaust pipe.
Additionally, this may lead to some unburnt fuel leaking through the exhaust pipe. That may give out a fuel smell when you start the vehicle.
Let's Wrap Up
Dust particles may be as small as a sand grain; they still can damage your engine, costing you hundreds of dollars. Hence, maintaining your car with care by regularly replacing the air filter can prevent those damages.
It is always better to spend a small amount on prevention rather than spending a lot on damage repair. So, pick out the best car air filter that can ensure damage prevention along with performance enhancement.
