It's been about a year since it was changed in my 02 es. Are all the brands the same? I don't want to spend more if its not necessary

 

Considering the price of an air filter and what it does, is it really something you want to skimp on? If it's that big a deal get a K&N, it'll cost you a little more now but in the future all you have to do is hose it off and apply fresh oil to it.

 

They're like 15$ for a generic one. I just bought mine, came to 17$

 

Talking about air filters, how are those cold air intakes, is it a fact or a myth that they will save you on gas?

 

A cold air intake on a vehicle not designed for it would, if anything, consume more fuel with a cold air intake. You would theoretically burn more fuel and produce more horsepower. Cold air is more dense and therefore would require more fuel to remain stoichiometric, more fuel and more air means more power. In any event, the effects would be slight.

 

So then its all lies when advertise as a gas saver........i will how ever invest in a K&E filter so that i dont have to keep buying one, just take it out rinse it apply the spray liquid and done.

 

If a simple $60-$80 cold air intake would increase fuel mileage on a $35000 car you can bet the manufacturer would've put one on it. A K&N would probably be the best thing you could do for it, it won't change the performance but it's a high quality filter and reusable.

 

Exactly.

Also the CAI looks tacky. If I ever bought a car with it, I would reverse it back to stock.

I like the one-time-use paper filters because I don't have to deal with the cleaning and oiling of the K&N. And plus you only need to replace them every 20-30k miles (2-3 years, depending on how much you drive).

 

I would stick with a paper filters, and an inexpensive one like FRAM at a parts store will do the same job as an overpriced one from a dealership.

K&N air filters have been rumored to cause problems with MAF sensor since the oil from the fabric filter can coat the sensor and ruin them, but the jury is still out. Also, they DO flow more air but they also don't keep as much particles/dirt out.

At the end of the day, these cars are comfortable cruisers, not stoplight warriors. I don't think it's worth the cost or likely problems for a couple additional horsepower that you would probably not even be able to measure on a dyno.

 

^^ well said... That's my philosophy!

 

Just put an OEM air filter in it and call it a day! LOL