With improved air-flow, performance air filters available on the automotive aftermarket aim to enhance the performance of combustion engines. Emphasising the importance of air filters, numerous brands specialise in the design and production of such replacement components.
Thanks to the better airflow, performance of an engine is improved. The reason for a more powerful combustion is the increased amount of air in the fuel / air mix. Performance air filters may also reduce the temperature of the air sucked into the combustion chambers, thus better transporting the fuel droplets.
Consequently, an engine will produce higher horsepower. Especially when accelerating, the enhanced supply of oxygen to the combustion chamber can improve performance. Generally speaking, performance air filters are enhancing the fuel consumption of the vehicle. Even without a look under the bonnet, one could assume that there is a different air filter at work as the sound of the engine will most often change.
Specific performance air filters are designed for the filter medium to be washable, thus eliminating the need to replace the entire filter on a regular basis. As German Motors staff knows, this may not always result in cost savings as a performance air filter can be expensive. Parts like this may be designed for higher performance in different climatic conditions: they may not produce the hoped-for results in our region.
Our technicians are very familiar with this topic. Being asked frequently about such modifications, the question becomes if the performance parts would be making a difference. As most of us are driving only short distance, oftentimes rather slow in rush hour traffic, the improvement in performance may not even be noticeable. Additionally, any replacement of the air filter with an aftermarket component would require the parts to be legal and approved.
