Originally Posted by Voleak
Originally Posted by bbhero
Leaves, straw and grass clippings equal 99.9999999% efficiency
Makes me wonder how past cars that I've owned and never changed engine filters on, look like. I have always declined the service departments offerings to change the engine filter and cabin filter, because I was not properly educated on the importance of them, and service advisers never stressed the issue. Glad I do my own basic maintenance now. IIRC, the last quote to put in a new engine filter for my Crosstrek was $60. I paid $12 and it took all but four or five minutes tops to do it myself.
BITOG has opened my eyes to the importance of oil, oil filters, engine filters, and cabin filters.
Engine air filters generally aren't going to be a source of damage to the engine should the recommended replacement period be exceeded. They're just going to load up and get restricted. Most modern cars with fuel injection don't really suffer. If it gets too restricted your performance might suffer. Wait WAY too long and maybe it collapses or tears.
The biggest problem will be wide open throttle if it's too restricted. Air filters serve an important function, but frequent replacement isn't going to result in better protection.
Some use restriction gauges to determine when to change an air filter.