Air Filter Alternatives

I did some digging, and the [relative] consensus is to get an aFe dry air filter because you can get oil build-up on the MAF sensor from a K&N filter.

However, that sucker is $86!!!

$73 aFe POWER Magnum FLOW OE Replacement Air Filter w/Pro DRY S Media for Toyota Tacoma 05-15 V6-4.0L #31-10114

https://smile.amazon.com/aFe-Power-...13192&sr=8-2&keywords=05+tacoma+AFE+Pro+dry+s


Has anyone tried this one that's being sold on Amazon? I've never hear of "AEM" before, but it's about the same price as the K&N and half the cost of an aFe.

$56 AEM (AEM-28-20281) Dryflow Air Filter, Red

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00C7QGJUU/ref=psdc_15714151_t2_B001ABOSWO
AEM also has their own spray filter cleaner.


Thoughts?

 

IMO you can't beat the stock filter.

 

I have the AEM dry filter. Its a collaboration with K&N. AEM is big in the import car world. Quality stuff.

 

Got the AFE Prodry. Had one in my 02 3.4L.

 

Try sbfilters.com as well.

 

I have one that is slightly and I mean slightly used. Maybe 10k miles. Would be willing to sell less than half price plus shipping. V6 correct? PM me!

 

AfE ProDry FTW. Yes it's expensive but it's the last air filter you'll buy for the truck.

But if OP wants a K&N - brand new and cheap - PM me

 

Second this! I was shocked when I looked at the difference between the "new" filter the previous owner had in installed, versus genuine Toyota. The Toyota filter was much thicker.

 

Just got my AFE filter today- in the long run I think will be cheaper, love you can wash it. Read great reviews on it, better airflow.

 

OEM FTW

 

Thanks for the input Everyone!

I'm just shopping at the moment, but I'll shoot you a PM when the time comes to pull the trigger.

I'll pass on the K&N simply because of the MAF sensor issue. I have a K&N on my bike, and the oil does make it's way into the carb (but carbs are easier to clean than replacing the MAF sensor).

Same thing with the AEM dry filter (washable and better flow) but it's half the cost of the aFe. I was wondering why it was half the cost, and if anyone can speak to it's quality.

 

I had the AFE dry filter...Nice quality filter that let's more air through. But one huge problem..It lets dirt through so I went back to stock

 

How'd you know/find out it was letting more dirt through?

 

I would periodically remove the filter from the intake box. I would inspect the clean side of the box. I found that the clean side of the air intake box was getting very dusty and dirty. My stock filter would never do that. The clean side was always clean whenever I replaced my oem filter. So I went rite back to oem

 

K&N = very overrated

 

What is expected to be gained from switching from the OEM filter that lets more than enough air flow? I ran K&N on my RAV4 and saw the same that blazze2005 is talking about. I'm only running OEM on my truck myself

 

I just use OEM oil and air filters. Toyota makes good stuff and they know what they're doing. I don't buy from the stealership though, I buy from either Fleabay or Amazon.

 

How often is it recommended to change out your air filter?

 

30,000 miles or every 2 years, but more often in you drive in a dusty environment

 

I do the old trick of looking at the sun through the filter. You'll get an idea of how dirty it is that way, especially if you have a new one on hand (I keep one on hand). Every 10k miles I pull the filter and blow compressed air through it in the reverse direction and give it the visual "sun" test. This equates to about once a year for me. I replaced the filter at 25k which was a little over the three year mark and it did look pretty dirty, however, I did a fair amount of off road driving in sandy/dusty conditions the last year.