2017 Tacoma with 30,000 miles. I figured it was time for an air filter change. I can’t believe the improvement in mpg. I also changed the cabin filter- yep it needed changing.

I went with a K&N air filter on my 2016 Taco. I haven’t bothered to calculate any mileage increase, but I like that I can clean it out here in dusty NM.

Though I did hear that adding a TRD Pro sticker adds 0.75 horsepower.

Heck anymore with FI and O2 sensors I'd think a dirty air filter would restrict maximum power and in the process improve mpg? Good to change them both though and it reminds me I need to check when I last changed mine.

Doesn't surprise me. Like flesheatingvirus, I'm also in a place that's dusty (El Paso, TX) and our air filters get changed quicker than average.

As frequent as we change them here, I would've probably been better off with a K&N.

I use to use and be a proponent of K&N and other similar oil&foam type filters until I heard about "dusting" and did some reading on research done between oil&foam and paper filters. I'd recommend staying with OEM, or equivalent, paper air filters - especially in dusty environments.

This post is not meant to start a war with the oil&foam filter supporters, but merely to let those that don't already know that research between the two types of air filters is out there and it would be in their best interest to seek it out then make up their mind.

.5 MPG is such a small number that could be influenced by many things such as air temperature, fuel quality, driving style, road terrain, how full did the tank get filled, car computer or actual arithmetic etc. It may be real or it may not.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Gene Hillman,

quote:

Originally posted by Gene Hillman:
.5 MPG is such a small number that could be influenced by many things such as air temperature, fuel quality, driving style, road terrain etc. It may be real or it may not.

Agreed. Personally, I can swear that my truck always runs better after a wash, wax and detail. Most likely, the real reason is that I am just driving differently, etc.

You could certainly see an improvement in mpg if the air filter was dirty enough to be restricted.

It is not rocket surgery.

More Airflow= More Dirt!!

K&N is garbage!!!

My ‘02 Tundra 6 cylinder would drop from 16.4 mpg to 15 when the air filter needed replacement.

Most people should check their tire pressure and bump it up towards the max load level pressures and then recheck the mileage.

The truth is, most people don't check their tire pressures unless they think they are flat.

I got a good MPG boost my cleaning the MAF sensor in my Tacoma. I do it once a year now.

keeping your air filter clean will for sure gain MPG benefits. If you're talking about a gen 3, then dirty air filters are somewhat mitigated by the ECU which senses flow and makes corrections to a point. The immediate benefits are difficult to measure out of a laboratory testing deal. .5 is really not much when you consider the switch from winter to summer gas can give up to 1 mpg, and driving from Dallas to Colorado will see more significant changes do to elevation and road grade. But yeah, I installed a TRD CAI and use a oiled filter and feel that's as good as I can do in that area.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Most people should check their tire pressure and bump it up towards the max load level pressures

I don't think that's a good idea. Within a few PSI of the door sticker is where you want to be on most cars, unless you are towing a lot of weight.

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any REAL HP/torque upgrade suggestions for a 21 Tacoma? CAI? Seems like there isn’t much….
Anybody?

Engine air filter, Seafoam the crankcase, new tires at correct inflation, oil change, new spark plugs = about a 10% increase in an older Acura I was gifted.

quote:

Originally posted by skywag:
It is not rocket surgery.

More Airflow= More Dirt!!

K&N is garbage!!!

Yay. Science.

quote:

Originally posted by sybo:
Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any REAL HP/torque upgrade suggestions for a 21 Tacoma? CAI? Seems like there isn’t much….
Anybody?

2018 and up already have a CAI configuration (could be wrong on the year) The modification to the TRD CAI or an aftermarket CAI could allow for a bit more flow, but the ECU compensates for a lot of this to keep the air/gas mixture consistent. There is however increased "vroom". Likewise, the TRD exhaust increases sound, and adds a tiny, tiny bit to MPG. Neither of these mods will ever come close to paying for themselves and I doubt you'd see any noticeable difference at the pump. So if the extra fun of cool a sounding engine is not your goal, pass on these. Also, contrary to what some people think, higher octane fuel has little affect on MPG, but E0 gas will give you 3-4% better mileage than E15. Always use top tier gas though. Not for MPG, but to keep your engine clean which in the long run could affect MPG.