Air filter

Have any of you swapped out your air filter for an aftermarket one? If so, did you notice a difference?

 

The filter? No.

A 'CAI' kit? They make more noise.

If you'll run a couple of searches you'll find dozens of threads.

Top trends also include performance exhausts, how big a tire can I run and what leveling lift to buy.

 

I put in an AFE Pro Dry drop in with this https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stock-air-box-mod.439003/ and noticed better throttle response. As far as MPG I may have gained 1 or 2 but nothing crazy. It's a little louder than stock but nothing like a CAI in terms of noise.

 

If you live in a dusty area, I wouldn't do it. They allow more air ~ more dust. Filters you oil up like K&N gunk up MAF Sensors.

Had one when I bought the truck and it threw codes. I had to take everything apart, clean the MAF Sensor and replace the filter with a regular paper filter and haven't had the problem since.

 

I agree if you live in a dusty area then I would just use stock filters. I've used filters that required oil before and never had any issues with them. Part of it is finding the balance between to much oil and not enough. I got the AFE Pro Dry because I hate dealing with cleaning the oil off the old filter.

 

I think your post convinced me to make the AFE dry filter my next purchase. I've been looking to regain my 1-2 lost MPG since my tire size change.

 

Yeah a drop in filter won't give you 2 mpg. I have an AFE dry filter, but only really like it because I can clean and reuse it. Not sure it performs better than paper filters.

 

1-2 mpg gain from simply changing filter and nothing else does sound kinda crazy to me. maybe not 1mpg, but at least 2 does for sure. i would verify that on fuelly.com if possible. i added a CAI with filter and although i've had an obvious improvement in low end throttle response, somewhat minor but definitely there, i have not seen any change to my mileage as reported by the truck. but the truck's report isn't known to be accurate, so...

 

There is no magical cure that will instantly give you more MPG's except maybe smaller tires. I've seen a slight increase in MPG's since I did my drop in AND the air box mod https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stock-air-box-mod.439003/
From my experience it's not one thing but a few together where you see and actual MPG improvement. I manually calculate my MPG's at every fill up and have noticed a 1-2 MPG increase. The conditions also play a part in it because on windy days I get crappy MPG's. Everyone has their own opinion on what to do and what not to do. I'm just sharing my experience.

 

You could always regear with bigger tires.

 

That is probably the easiest way to get back MPG's but it's also the most expensive. I put 4.56's in my Jeep that had 33's and didn't see a huge jump in MPG's but it did go up 2-3. Then again I do a lot of highway driving