How often the filter in your vehicle should be changed, varies. The automotive industry recommends anywhere between 12,000 to 45,000 miles.
That’s a sizable gap, but given there are so many types of vehicles, and that not all filters are compatible with each vehicle, it’s difficult to come up with anything more than a recommendation.
Factors determining how often your vehicle’s filter should be changed
How often you have your vehicle serviced
Geographical location
How many miles on the vehicle
Road conditions (gravel, dirt roads)
Brand of filter (some filters break down quicker than others)
What is an air filter, and why do we need one?
Chances are, you’ve turned the air conditioning on while you’re driving, only to be met with a blast of cold air, and a foul smell resembling that of a wet dog.
You realize after having your vehicle serviced, that the smell was coming from a dirty air filter, which has now been replaced.
The filters we use in our vehicles are often manufactured from cotton, metal, paper, or foam. They usually have a pleated design that allows the filter to catch more debris without disrupting the airflow.
Disposable filters were first used by Nash Motors in 1940 as a way of keeping the ventilation system clean. They became more common in vehicles in 1995 and are now pretty much standard in all vehicles.
Referred to as cabin air filters, their job is to trap pollutants, allergens, and debris, thus preventing them from entering the vehicle’s interior.
Dirty filters can affect the vehicle’s heating and cooling system, limiting their performance and having a direct impact on our health if exposed for long periods.
When Should We Change Our Vehicles Air Filter?
When there are unpleasant odors coming from the vents
When dust accumulates in and around the vents of the vehicle
If every time you drive, your eyes become itchy, watery
There are rattling noises and poor airflow coming from the vents
You’ve had a maximum of four oil changes and haven’t changed the filter
Sometimes it is easier if we replace the air filter ourselves, not to mention, it’s much more cost and time-efficient. Microgard filters are widely used, as they have a reputation for being one of the best.
Over time, that is changing as manufacturers are creating air filters on a comparable level.
One thing to keep in mind when looking for a replacement is, just like Microgard, other brands do not make a one-fit all type of filter, but the comparable ones need to have quality airflow and filtration to be on the same level.
List of 17 Alternate Air Filters
Purolator PBC35519 Proletarianises Cabin Air Filter With Febreze
Purolator filters have been around for many years. This filter has three layers with the added freshness of febreze and charcoal to absorb pollutants while filtering debris and allergens.
Purolator filters may be pricier than other manufacturers, but the quality of these filters is excellent in boosting acceleration and fuel economy, and make an excellent replacement filter for your vehicle.
This high-density filter contains 27 pleats containing carbon and baking soda to aid in the efficiency of filtering gases, odors, and debris, creating cleaner air inside.
These filters are excellent at helping to keep the interior of the vehicle odor and dust-free and act as an alternative to replacing your filter.
Bosch is a name that has been around since the late 1880s, well known for technology and consumer goods.
The hepa cabin air filter is a high-efficiency filter made with three layers of cotton, including a layer of electrostatic microfiber to trap allergens, dust, and microscopic particles, and prevents odors from entering the interior. Bosch makes this an excellent replacement filter for your vehicle.
K&N have been manufacturing filters for over 50 years and are well known worldwide for their quality products.
The VF2000 washable air filter increases and improves the quality of the airflow, creating a higher efficiency of heating and cooling within your vehicle.
K&N manufactures this filter with synthetic material and treats it to help in trapping debris, allergens, and odors. This makes an excellent replacement for your existing air filter.
Advantages
Washable
Guaranteed to last the life of your vehicle if taken care of accordingly
Fits a wide variety of vehicles
Disadvantages
Pricier initial cost
Takes a little longer to install than standard filters
EPAUTOs brand of air filters contains soda and activated carbon to help with eliminating odors and enhancing the cooling and heating process within your vehicle.
They are thicker than other brands and may give the stigma that they reduce airflow, but each brand of filter is different. They are, however, easy to install and cost efficient if you are on a budget.
Advantages
Cost-efficient
Easy to install
Carbon activated
Come in multiple packs
Disadvantages
May be thought of as having restricted airflow because of their thickness
Fram has been around since 1934 and manufactured the first paper air filter in 1951.
Fram filters have an excellent reputation, are tested rigorously for durability, and are known for optimizing the performance of a vehicle’s engine, increasing airflow, and boosting fuel economy.
Puroma offers quality for an affordable price, so if you are looking for a cost-efficient product, this one is ideal.
These filters have a mesh layer of activated charcoal, which we all know does wonders for absorbing odors.
Activated carbon and soda trap and protect from allergens and prevent them from entering your vehicle’s interior, which helps in decreasing wear on a vehicle’s engine.
Wix is known worldwide and has been in production since 1939. Two business partners by the names of Jack Wicks and Paul Crenshaw invented and patented a design of a spin-on filter manufactured from cotton.
The Wix heavy-duty air filters use cellulose and synthetic substances which trap pollutants, allergens, and debris without restricting the movement of airflow, while enhancing the efficiency of the engine performance.
These filters are more costly compared to other brands, but this particular filter is known for its quality over affordability.
Wix filters are among one of the most popular alternatives to the Microgard air filter. Here are a few advantages of this model, with the only disadvantage being that this model does not fit all vehicle types.
Fleetguard has been in existence since 1958 but was known then, as The Seymour Filter Company. The name was changed to Fleetguard in 1963.
They changed the name again in 2006 to Cummins Filtration, but Fleetguard’s name is still labeled on their products. These filters are known worldwide for their quality.
The AF27684 is an excellent replacement filter, with a high-performance level of filtering pollutants, contaminants, and odors, while enhancing engine performance.
ACDelco has been around for more than 100 years and is one of the leading brands for quality General Motors and some non-General Motors vehicle parts.
The CF188 is an efficient cabin air filter manufactured with three layers of material that traps contaminants and prevents mold and odors without decreasing airflow.
This filter is guaranteed by one of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and comes with a twenty-four-month unlimited mile warranty.
As one of, if not the most popular brand for engine filters, FRAM is more known for its quality than affordability.
Yet, the FRAM CA10855 is extremely affordable, while not sacrificing the qualities of any FRAM air filters: excellent filtration level and air flow for better engine protection and boosted performance..
Advantages
Very affordable
Excellent filtration and decent air flow quality
Compatible with a wide range of vehicle types
Disadvantages
Not very durable, can only withstand 12,000 miles of driving
The FRAM CA10885 is an excellent choice for those looking for an affordable replacement air filter with decent quality. Before purchase, refer to FRAM’s website to check your vehicle compatibility.
As with MicroGard air filters, Wix is also one of the most prominent manufacturers of engine filters. So, we can expect a high level of filtration and air flow.
There are several prominent features of the Wix 46213, including:
Adhesive pocket pleat
Urethane soft-sealing gasket
Mesh support screening
Non-woven paper filter
Advantages
Very efficient airflow restriction
Easy to install, and compatible with many different vehicles
Thicker than your standard OEM air filter
Very competitive price
Disadvantages
Does not fit some vehicle types
Although thicker than standard filters, there are still thicker replacement air filters available
Wix filters are on par with even the best MicroGard air filters available, yet are easier to find on the market, and compatible with more vehicles.
The Wix 46213 air filter panel is an excellent replacement air filter with high-level of filtration and air flow efficiency and is extremely affordable.
Simply one of the best air filters available on the market today.
K&N 33-2304 High-Performance Replacement Air Filter
The K&N 33-2304 replacement air filter is designed to increase horsepower and acceleration by providing outstanding filtration and air flow.
K&N itself is also a prominent company producing more than 1,200 different air filters for virtually every vehicle on the road.
Advantages
Very durable, can be used for up to 50,000 miles of driving
Machine washable and reusable
Can fit most existing air box, very easy to install
K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty
Very efficient air flow and filtration
Pleated, oiled material to enhance overall filtration
Disadvantages
None i can think of
For those looking for performance, the K&N 33-2304 is an excellent choice. Extremely efficient and very effective in boosting horsepower and acceleration.
FRAM CA9073 Extra Guard Rectangular Panel Air Filter
Another one by FRAM. While the previously FRAM CA10855 is an affordable option, the CA9073 is a premium air filter designed for performance.
It provides double the engine protection of the CA10855 and has better airflow and filtration levels.
Advantages
Very easy to install with included directions
Excellent filtration level
High-performance airflow quality
Disadvantages
Also, need to be replaced every 12,000 miles
If you are looking for a performance boost and maximum engine protection, The FRAM CA9073 Extra Guard air filter provides those qualities at a relatively affordable price.
Very easy to install with illustrated directions, and compatible with many vehicle types.
Simply put, one of the best engine filters and one of the best alternatives to MicroGard air filters.
Purolator is one of the oldest manufacturers of engine filters, producing hundreds of the best engine filters available over the years.
So, we can expect a high-quality air filter from Purolator without much doubt.
While Purolator doesn’t produce as many air filters as, say, FRAM, the ones that are available are excellent. Featuring a tight-seal gasket to ensure only filtered air reaches your engine. So, excellent filtration quality.
One of the best engine filters if you are looking for more acceleration and fuel economy.
Advantages
Tight-seal gasket for more filtration efficiency
Excellent airflow level with multi-fiber, high-density media trap
Boosting your engine performance while also increasing fuel economy
Compatible with many vehicle types
Easy to install
Disadvantages
Can only last up to 12 months or 12,000 miles
Another excellent choice if you are looking for performance. Another unique quality of the Purolator A24675 is that it is excellent at maintaining fuel economy.
While it is relatively more expensive compared to other products, you will save more money in the long run while enjoying the boosted performance.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your vehicle is important to its overall performance and efficiency. We often overlook the air filter, until it becomes evident, whether it’s through unpleasant odors or poor air quality.
It’s beneficial to our health and our vehicle’s functionality to replace the air filter when needed. Through reviews and ratings of multiple individuals, is a list of best alternatives for Microgard air filters.
Keeping in mind, each brand of filter is specific to certain vehicles, and it’s up to a vehicle owner to have the filter sized before purchasing to ensure it will be a perfect fit.
Each of the filters listed in this review would make excellent replacements to any existing filter, and if I had to pick a winner, I would have to narrow it down to the K&N VF2000 Premium Cabin Air Filter, for the simple fact that it’s an excellent high-quality product that does exactly what it is intended to do, and most important, it’s washable, so it can be reused.
