Performance Intake Air Filter - Advantage?

[Genemac]

I was at the dealer complaining about my 2006 Ridgeline shifts from 4th to 5th at too high speed (46-47) and the traffic flow is less than 45 so I have to accellerate past 47 to get to shift then back off. Service manager says this is typical and no way to change so I can expect to waste gas driving around in 4th gear.
However he recommended I install a K&N air intake filter assembly, part # 63-3515, and will boost power and improve gas miladge 2-3 mpg. Says cost around $300 and basically allows more intake air volumn?
Has anyone had experience with one of these - any feedback would be appreciated.
Cheers,
Gene

[theLine]

You are a brave man, to ask that question on this site without (I'm assuming) done a search of aftermarket cold air intakes and K&N filters in particular. Much reading. Much contentious debate. No answer. You decide. My "opinion"... stay with stock intake and paper air filter. Unless you race, there are no significant gains.

[xridgelinex]

No Advantage.... The shifting you have experienced is normal... It took me a bit to get used to it but with practice you will learn how to stay in 5th. If the speed limit is 45 keep it around 48-49...

[Webwader]

I was at the dealer complaining about my 2006 Ridgeline shifts from 4th to 5th at too high speed (46-47) and the traffic flow is less than 45 so I have to accellerate past 47 to get to shift then back off.

When your RL shifts to 5th at 47 mph the engine is turning just over 1300 RPM. How low do you expect it to run in 5th gear?

[theLine]

Originally Posted by theLine

... without (I'm assuming) done a search of aftermarket cold air intakes and K&N filters in particular. Much reading. Much contentious debate. No answer. .

I probably should have clarified that you should use the "search" function on this site to find the threads I referred to. This has been a hotly (to say the least) debated subject.

[Genemac]

Thanks to all of the responses this is a great forum - must be the personalities of Ridgeline ownwers...
I am especially glad to know that my shifting range to 5th (46-47 mph) is typical. I'm tired of asking others and now the dealer can't help.
On the filter question, I should have done a search, new to the forum. I did just find some statements that their gas milage improved 2-3 mg. The question is, if this true in driving around town at speeds 30-50, and I really do make 2 mpg better, then; for 15K miles/year, at $2.80/gal with a 17 to 19 mpg improvement, then I would save appx $250 and break even in about 16 months.

[theLine]

Yes. If the statements are true. More to the point... if the statements are accurate. True fuel savings or horsepower improvements can only be proved in a lab environment, not by the casual pit stop calculation or proverbial "butt dino".

[onefastbob]

You might get a very slight horsepower boost. I have run K & N stuff in a couple of my new Ford F-150's and there was NO improvement in fuel mileage and my butt dyno detected no power increase. The stock Honda intake does not seem to be too restrictive and has a good cold air inlet that is up high to prevent water from coming into the intake. A K&N filter and cold air intake (CAI) would be in the open and I think get very dirty very quickly. Also the CAI would be where there is lots of heat coming from the engine versus the stock setup. If you want a horsepower boost run premium fuel. If you want fuel economy drive with a lite foot and keep tires at recommened or above pressure.