Looking for a cheap source of New Air filters for Prius Engine

Is there some design improvement in the gold vs the oem or is it just increased mpg from the lack of leaves in the oem filter? Just curious as im thinking of replacing mine and if gold vs oem gives me +2 mpg ill do gold. Any thoughts on if the oem may keep the dirt out of the engine better than the gold?

 

Look at the bottom of this webpage first: Gas Mileage Tips - Keeping Your Vehicle in Shape

Dirty air filter doesn't make a difference in a modern car unless its extremely dirty (would probably have to never change it and only drive in dust storms for it to get bad enough). So if a dirty filter doesn't hurt, a fancy air filter isn't going to help, unless you're looking to maybe get more power.

 

maybe the +2 mpg comes from the more power? making the ICE work less to get up to speed? Thats why they moved up to the 1.8l from 1.6l. I saw it posted here that a +2 improvemnt was achieved and another prius driver here at work changed to a K&N(not interested in K&N personally prefer paper) and said they got +2 as well so either they are getting tricked by the cars mpg or there is something to it?

 

The question is too since the link provides no data to see what do they consider insignificant
?
The actual study says "Results reveal insignificant fuel economy and emissions sensitivity of modern vehicles to air filter condition, but measureable effects on the 1972 vehicle. All vehicles experienced a measured acceleration performance penalty with clogged intake air filters."

Effect of Intake Air Filter Condition on Light-Duty Gasoline Vehicles

 

Ok heres the study with data included. no hybrids in the study (camry, doge charger and a buick lucerne) and they state :
"Test-to-test repeatability is within about 1.5%, and all of the variances between the new and clogged air filter cases are similarly within about 1.7%."

"
It is possible that there may be some isolated operating conditions under which the fuel economy may be more susceptible to a clogged air filter."
Take that for what you will but I dont feel this data disproves possible gains in mpg in a hybrid vehicle.


http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/pdfs/Air_Filter_Effects_02_26_2009.pdf

 

You can try it if you want. The throttle plate is the biggest restriction in the air intake, unless you're regularly having it open enough that the filter becomes the biggest restriction, then it might help you. OEM is good enough for me and good enough for Toyota (why would they give up a couple very cheap MPGs?).

 

Who knows it could have just been somthing as simple as a special price on the filter they used vs the other. Not saying that that decision would be smart but corporations dont always do the sensible thing....sometimes they
put the share holders first.

My question still remains to those that have tried this did a clean new OEM not give the same result or must it be an aftermarket like the napa gold?