Best air filters for cars?

[jayk]

Is it better to buy an air filter yourself and cut it to fit the filter frame of your car?

I hear HEPA filters (for oil at least) is better for cars since it filters out smaller particles more effectively. I think it's worth the extra money if this is the case, considering how much crap is spewed into the air by cars in front of you.

All this said, we have an old 1998 Mercedes C230 that hasn't had the air filter changed from memory at all...

[KorruptioN]

Air filter for the engine, or a cabin air filter? Because a HEPA filter for the engine likely won't work well at all, as it probably won't flow as much air as an OEM-spec filter.

[cwb27]

Is it better to buy an air filter yourself and cut it to fit the filter frame of your car?

I hear HEPA filters (for oil at least) is better for cars since it filters out smaller particles more effectively. I think it's worth the extra money if this is the case, considering how much crap is spewed into the air by cars in front of you.

All this said, we have an old 1998 Mercedes C230 that hasn't had the air filter changed from memory at all...

If the motor air filter hasn't been changed it 9 years it will be like trying to breath thru a pillow smashed into your face.

Ether buy an OEM spec filter or buy a K&N oiled cotton filter. The K&N is more expensive but lasts substantially longer than an OEM paper filter (saves money in the long run).

Don't ever try to make your own air filter, you're just asking for problems.

[hytong]

you can look at a bypass system such as http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/bf.aspx

the bypass filter does the oil pan at 2 micron @ 98.7% effiency vs the normal oil filter at 15-30 micron but goes to the engine

[Pete_Coach]

Is it better to buy an air filter yourself and cut it to fit the filter frame of your car?

I hear HEPA filters (for oil at least) is better for cars since it filters out smaller particles more effectively. I think it's worth the extra money if this is the case, considering how much crap is spewed into the air by cars in front of you.

All this said, we have an old 1998 Mercedes C230 that hasn't had the air filter changed from memory at all...

It seems to me that you are not very car savvy. HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) are filters for air only and not oil. There are activated charcoal filters available, not sure if for your car but they will filter incoming air into the passenger area. Remember that this is for incoming air through your ventilation system and all the benefits of HEPA are "out the window" if you open a window.
As for engine intake air filters, just go to the dealer and get one. Or check the owners manual for the type and get one from anywhere else.
The oil filter should have been changed at the last oil change ( I hope it has been more than once since 1998).
Is this actually your car, or is it your parents car and you just don't know what maintenance has been done to it?

[Sylvestre]

you can look at a bypass system such as http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/bf.aspx

the bypass filter does the oil pan at 2 micron @ 98.7% effiency vs the normal oil filter at 15-30 micron but goes to the engine

did you miss the part about AIR

[Pete_Coach]

did you miss the part about AIR

An Amsoil salesman...living off commission..

[Capt.]

Going along the line of air filters, what are the best brands of air intakes? Some of the big names I know of are Airaid, AEM, K&N, and Volant.

[mau108]

Air Filters wise - Goto Napa and get the napa gold series if they make them for your car, it will most likely be cheaper then OEM and better. Its made by WIX. Please go read about it at Bobistheoilguy for more in depth analysis.

I wouldn't recommend any sythethic oil based filters, they may work well during the intial use but once you have to clean it and reoil it and you don't do a good job you can uck up your MAF sensor and possibly more.

I like the AEM dryflows (have the aftermarket intake on the prelude) and its alot easier to clean. They do have aem dryflow drop ins now much like the K&N drop ins.

Anywho for a stock car, Id stick to paper and specifically Wix (Napa Gold).

[ES_Revenge]

If the motor air filter hasn't been changed it 9 years it will be like trying to breath thru a pillow smashed into your face.

Ether buy an OEM spec filter or buy a K&N oiled cotton filter. The K&N is more expensive but lasts substantially longer than an OEM paper filter (saves money in the long run).

Don't ever try to make your own air filter, you're just asking for problems.

Agreed, I've never even heard of anyone trying to do what the op mentioned (using some HEPA filtration media and attaching it to the frame of the old filter)? Sounds real ghetto, lol. Also keep in mind the media for car [engine] air filters is usually quite stiff and or metal-mesh backed. This is because you definitely don't want that filter breaking up and ending up in the intake as that would cause some real trouble for you. Trying some hack job DIY with filtration media might just land you in that very predicament.

As for K&Ns and any other performance filter really, note that these filters defnitely flow better but they do not filter better. In fact K&N filters are pretty poor filters in comparison with OE paper type filters. If you live, work or otherwise drive in any dusty area (usually anywhere there is ongoing construction work) then I would recommend against using any type of performance filter as you'll end up with larger than normal quantities of silica in your engine/oil which will increase engine wear.

Otherwise K&Ns and other air intakes with performance filters are fine to buy and you never really need to get another filter afterwards as these type of filters can be cleaned and re-oiled if necessary.

[VorteC]

Going along the line of air filters, what are the best brands of air intakes? Some of the big names I know of are Airaid, AEM, K&N, and Volant.

depends on the car of course.. K&N, AEM, Injen are all probably up there.

[new_vr]

My vote goes for OEM. Unless you are really worried about performance, it's the best bet

[jayk]

how would I know which K+N filter will fit my parents' C230? It's such an old car.

Thanks

[KorruptioN]

P.S. Over-oiling K&N filters is known to cause a lot of problems. Stick to OEM if you have even the slightest doubt.

[cwb27]

P.S. Over-oiling K&N filters is known to cause a lot of problems. Stick to OEM if you have even the slightest doubt.

I've heard this as well, but then I see people post pics of such and I see the filter dripping in oil.

You do not need a lot of oil at all to properly re-oil a filter. I've used 3 K&Ns in 3 different cars (all with MAFS FWIW) and never had an issue.