I replace my Air Filter on yearly basis, around December every year. This time I went to Walmart and looked for standard, cheap, Air Filter. Could not find one for the price I was looking for. So I purchased a 4-year "Fram" Air Filer. Installed it in my RX300. In no time I started having Lean Fuel in Bank I Error Code "P0171" ! Then I began to see Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor O2 Malfunction Error again. I just replaced the O2 Sensor at B1 S1. I did not suspect the filter at all. I began to question what is really going on with my 2002 RX300. Is it telling me that is ready to kick the bucket ?? Not so fast young Lady, I said !! I maintain my RX300 and I know she is in good shape. I asked myself, what was the lasting I do to see all these problems. Finally, the light in my inquisitive mind went ON ! I JUST CHANGED THE FILTER TO A 4-YEAR ONE. Luckily, I did not throw the used year old one yet. Reinstalled the Old Fram filter and my all Error Codes went away which made me and my old lady happy again. Warning, DO NOT USE THE 4-YEAR FRAM AIR FILTER !! Problem Solved !!!
Besst Wishes, EJ Dossary, EE

 

So...did you perchance inspect both of the filter media side-by-side, like with a good light and a magnifying glass to see if there was a noticeable difference in the filter media? Just curious. We should try to loop in that YouTube guy on "Project Farm" to do a flow test of various filter media For myself, I'm always very suspicious when a manufacturer warranties something like an air filter for a blanket long interval. Heck, what if you lived in an area where you constantly drove on dry, dusty unimproved roads? No way a filter would last 4 years. I'm not a big fan of Fram filters anyway. Thanks for reporting your experience.

 

I have egg on my face. After I posted the above, I did a search on YouTube for "project farm best air filter". He actually did a pretty extensive test on a pretty extensive array of auto air filters, the results were interesting. Spoiler alert... the Wix...which is what I buy...did the best.

 

Dear Ricco750,
Thank you for your follow up and it is interesting thought that long time filters are not a good option !!!
Good Man Charlie Brown !! Have a good day !! Thanks to people like you who care !!
Best Wishes, EJ Dossary, EE

 

Some are great at filtering the air but don't offer good flow. You need a perfomance filter mine was recently getting choked on a fairly clean looking filter only weeks old.
I mentioned it yesterday that $8 filter perfomance is aweful like a plastic bag replacing with $80 filter to even get the stock performance.

 

Two years ago I put in an 8 Euro Bosch filter.
No problems whatsoever

 

Thanks JohanH for the feedback !! I'll try the Euro Bosch Filter next Air Filter Change.
Regards,
EJ Dossary, EE

 

8 Euro was the price at that time....
I think you'll be ok with any reputable brandname filter. Normally I try to get brands like Denso, Mann, Mahle etc