FormerH22a4

SAE reports key findings:

1) Air cleaners initial efficiency vs final are quite large and depending on initial efficiency could affect engine wear significantly.
2) It is a known fact, from several SAE reports, that engine wear is greater at the initial (5-15%) life of a air cleaner vs the final efficiency.
3) Most high quality air cleaners under normal conditions can go from 30k+ miles to 80K+ miles.
4) Most end users over service their air cleaners and never get the full efficiency and therefore have greater engine wear in the process. Not to mention higher operating cost.

Thread on this topic.

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultima...c;f=15;t=000062

jguerdat

So, this begs the question - how to determine when to replace or, in the case of my JR filter, clean?

MacGyver

So if I understand points 2-4 correctly, they're suggesting leaving the filters dirty for longer periods of time to help the filtration? I suppose it's all in what you're asking for...greater filtration ability, or more airlfow for more power.

jguerdat

The problem is determining when the airflow is restricted enough to reduce power. Each filter has excess capacity but that only goes so far....

vapors2k

so what's the verdict or final consensus?

dlq04

Interesting discussion at that link.... thanks (I think)!

Destiny2002

In my opinion, the verdict is to use your stock filter and get the full life out of it.

The usable life of a pleated fiber/paper filter might be 50,000 miles, but the sweet spot for a balance of filtration and flow is probably between 10,000 and 30,000. If you change your filter every 10,000 mile, you aren't doing yourself a favor because of higher wear. If you change your filter at 30,000 miles, you are only getting the higher wear (as small as it may be) for one-third of the miles you drive overall. Plus you are using your money the wisest.