Guys I need to replace my air filter as it's filthy.
I have a 98 4wd 5 speed.
I am currently averaging 19.5 mpg in the city which really surprised me as I saw the mileage ratings for my car at 16 city and 20 highway online.
I am thinking that once I replace the filter with a high flowing filter I can pickup maybe 1-2 mpg if I'm lucky. I have read in the past that cold air intakes actually net you worst gas mileage because the air is more dense requiring more fuel and making more hp and worse mileage.

Correct me if I'm wrong. What would you suggest for an air intake? Should I get a k&n filter in the stock location or does a stock filter work better? What about other changes to the intake like smooth tubing or larger tubing etc?

Any other suggestions for better gas mileage?
Thanks for your insight.

 

[YOUTUBE] [/YOUTUBE]
There is your answer, make your choice.

 

stock is best.

 

My vote is stock as well. Most cold air intakes only flow better near max rpm. I sold my cold air intake(which actually made incoming air hotter) because of this reason. Made no difference in mpg.
Check out forums dedicated to saving gas, can't think of any off hand. Most have good info.
I have a scangauge 2 that helps me keep track of my mpg as I drive. Mainly watching my TPS and how it affects my mpg helps me get consistent mileage.

 

I gotta go with stock.

Filters can be had most anyplace.

 

More HP means you lift your foot up off the throttle some, less gas, same MPG.

In the old days, carbs couldn't adjust for changes in temp, or changes in air restriction from a filter, and with a restrictive filter, a carb would run rich. A lot of tall tales may have been true back then.

But now, it's an O2 sensor controlled fuel injection system. A dirty plugged up air filter will limit the peak HP you'll make (engine can't get enough air), but it won't run rich or lean while doing so. A cold air intake might increase the amount of peak HP you can make (fit a little more air/gas in the cylinders) - but won't make the engine run rich or lean either.

If you want better MPG's up the air pressure in your tires. And slow down. And accelerate more slowly. And while it won't affect your MPG's, drive less?

 

What tire pressure do you suggest? I have 265/70/16 set at 29 cold as the factory suggests. Would run the tire pressure that optimizes gas mileage

 

That's low for a truck tire.
What does the tire have on the sidewall? Go about 80% of max pressure what I've always read. My tires are rated for 50 but I run 40 in them.

 

I'm running 35 psi now. I was using 30 psi for a couple of years, but noticed that the outside tread of the tires was wearing faster than the inside.

 

AFE dry flow filter in a stock box. If you wanna get fancy you can remove the silencer and have a cleaner straighter shot into the motor. But the stock box will best bet for cold air/mileage.