I just bought a 2011 Prius two days ago so really new to all of this and trying to educate myself. One modification that I always do when getting a new car is replacing the paper air filter with a K&N and I have already ordered a filter for the prius ($42). You get a small increase in hp and mpg but for me, never buying another filter and cleaning a reusable one at oil change intervals seems like a no lose situation. If you do get a reusable filter, make sure you clean it regularly as a blocked filter can cause many undesirable issues. Anyone know of any reasons why I should not install the k&N filter on my new prius? Thanks B
Those on the K&N page are metal screw ons. The Gen 3 just uses a filter element that fits inside the block and is encapsulated by it's screw on filter housing. Check the oil change threads.
Congrats on the new Prius! I am interested in hearing how the K&N filter helps with fuel efficiency and performance. I don't know of anyone who has put the K&N in a Prius yet.
per the Gen II prius quote There is a recent thread in the yahoo group PTS (Prius Technical Stuff) where someone who was using a K&N filter had to replace their MAF sensor because it was contaminated. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-care-maintenance-troubleshooting/42208-k-n-air-filter.html
Thanks! my round trip commute is 90 miles (85% Freeway). I went against conventional wisdom that says a hybrid is not the best vehicle for freeway use. Looking at the mpg ratings, there are only a few cars that came close to the highway mpg ratings of the Prius. Diesel fuel is far more expensive here in Utah and the Prius offered my family of four a very comfortable ride for the weekends when we try to cram in a lot of activities. So far (about 250 miles), if the on board computer is correct, we are getting slightly better than 50 mpg. I am not sure I will really be able to tell if the air filter makes a big difference as it will get installed as soon as it arrives. It is my assumption from past vehicles that it will buy me 2-3 mpg.
I am not sure about Gen3 but for Gen2, you change only every 30k miles. That's 5 times for 150k miles.
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...roubleshooting/57617-cleaning-maf-sensor.html has discussion on the Gen II, I bet the Gen III is similar.
The Prius is fine for freeway use, but, at a 48 MPG EPA rating, its advantage slims when compared to other vehicles. It has a sweet spot in the 50-60 range that yields great MPG, and there are techniques like Super Highway Mode and Warp Stealth that can be used to improve MPG at high speeds. The MPG readout is generally 2-4 MPG higher than the actual. My last tank was estimated to be 56.7, but only 53.2 when measured at the pump. Good luck. If you do a search on this site, you'll see that there are many people who do not approve of K&N filters (both in general and specifically for the Prius).
Congrats on your new Prius and welcome to PriusChat. I agree with the permanent filter if you can find one for the Gen III. I view air filter changes as a service rip-off, but didn't know they made permanent ones. I'm checking into it. I normally would change paper air filters every 20K miles, but I drive in reasonably clean conditions.
My freeway commute works well, 10% 40 mph or under, 20% at 65 mph and 70% at 55 mph as I take an alternate route that saves a little distance but the posted speed limit is 55 mph. I drove to work this morning for the first time in the new car and averaged 52.5 mpg for the round trip. Knock 2 - 2.5 mpg for computer error and I am quite happy with 50 mpg. It snowed like crazy today and I am not convinced that the Prius is a great car when it gets sloppy? Still, I am seriously considering replacing our Honda Pilot with the Prius wagon when it comes out (if it does). The gas savings go a long way in helping pay for the Prius.
