What is the assessment of the engine air filters that are on the market for the Smart

[mvaldes]

I found more "seat of the Pants" improvement from the K&N than I did from the DTH exhaust. Currently I have the BPP and it seems the same as the K&N. Ditto on the 1000000 mile warranty and no worries about the filtration.

[TMACK]

However, I have decided to keep changing my oil at 7,500 mile intervals.

Oh, yeah: That's a given, in my opinion, with or without K&N air filters.

[jwight]

Not to turn this into another oil change thread, but the 10K interval with synthetic oil is fine IMHO. YMMV, of course.

[SmartDigger]

Agree...what they said

[TMACK]

Originally Posted by jwight

Not to turn this into another oil change thread, but the 10K interval with synthetic oil is fine IMHO. YMMV, of course.

Yeah, you are probably right in that respect, and I'll probably cycle over to that after I do a Blackstone Labs analysis after a 5K run.
If all looks good, I'll force myself to overcome my O/C streak and perform 10K service.
As the car breaks in, though, I've done as with all my newer cars: 3K, then 5K with analysis, all with synthetic oil. If all is cool, 10K would do.

[TMACK]

Originally Posted by mvaldes

I found more "seat of the Pants" improvement from the K&N than I did from the DTH exhaust. Currently I have the BPP and it seems the same as the K&N. Ditto on the 1000000 mile warranty and no worries about the filtration.

Whoa, mvaldes, your DTH exhaust did NOT give you better performance?
By performance, I assume better torque and gas milage?

And that was going to be one of my ultimate dream jobs. Guess I'll put that on the back burner.

[rfernatt]

Originally Posted by jwight

Not to turn this into another oil change thread, but the 10K interval with synthetic oil is fine IMHO. YMMV, of course.

Yeah, it's just me. My previous Civic had an oil monitoring system that would indicate when it was time to change based on various factors. It was usually in the 7,000 - 8,000 mile range for changes based on my driving. Since I'm using an aftermarket filter and the Honda was in the 7,500 range, I'm just erring on the side of caution. But, I agree that quality synthetic oil and filters should have no problem with a 10K interval.

[mvaldes]

Originally Posted by TMACK

Whoa, mvaldes, your DTH exhaust did NOT give you better performance?
By performance, I assume better torque and gas milage?

And that was going to be one of my ultimate dream jobs. Guess I'll put that on the back burner.

I do like the sound of the DTH, but I really couldn't "feel" any difference after I installed it. A couple months later when someone found a K&N filter that would "fit" the smart, I got bought one. When I put it in, I felt an immediate improvement in power, shifting, etc. Maybe my butt dyno's broken...

[BARNEY O]

Given 2 filters of same sq. in. area of filtration and one claims more power! What in the world do you think is going on here? Yes, that's right! It's passing more air and more micron dust particles that will accelerate scuffing of cylinder walls and ring deterioration, FACT.
If the automakers thought it was good,your vehicle probably would have come with one that passes more air and dirt.
Personally, I don't care what HYPE you want to buy into but I live in cornfield America and its harvest time! You want to talk down & dusty?
I'll stick to stock style filters. Thank you may I have another.

Regards, Barney O.

[jetfuel]

Originally Posted by BARNEY O

I live in cornfield America and its harvest time! You want to talk down & dusty?
Regards, Barney O.

...and here is the whole enchilada...knowing the conditions of where you are operating your car before you make a purchase for a more "free" flowing filter..even the K&N states to clean and oil more frequently if operating in a harsh environment...the down side of frequent cleaning and oiling of the filter is that the oil will eventually find its way to the MAF and the butterfly thus creating the opposite of what we were after...

jetfuel...just me