Truck Maintenance

[QuarterMillionMan]

Anyone know if K & N is worth the price. I've heard it is good but not sure if 3x the price good. Ever run a car without an air filter, it has a noticeable increase in horse power but very bad for the engine. K & N must allow freer flowing air flow.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I didn't think it would make a difference but next time I'll get the AC delco GM OE part.

[ua_guy]

Dealers run a business, you pay for a service/convenience. For the most part GM car dealers get their branded parts from GM's own distribution network and they do it cheaper than you can get them off of RockAuto. But then they sell them to you at their list prices plus marked up labor.

DIY is good but parts is one area where I will not cheap out. Proven aftermarket brands or OE only. No junk off eBay. Matters less to me for something like a cabin air filter, those don't really do a whole lot. For an air filter for your engine? Those need to use the right filter media and flow at a minimum CFM. Same thing with oil filters, they need to have the correct filter media, correct bypass pressure, anti-drain back features, and filtration efficiency that OE calls for. Oil? Needs to meet/exceed OE spec for many reasons.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Last month I DIY'd changing my $12 engine air filter and $8 cabin air filter for free doing it myself and not having to waste 1/2 a day at the dealership or mechanic shop. This coupon offers $10 off an engine air filter change or $15 off a cabin air filter change. The labor alone must be close to $100 for each and they'll mark up the price of the parts to 2x or 3x from Rock Auto or Parts Geek.

[QuarterMillionMan]

I'll be ordering this 60" LED strip light for added visibility. BTW, I installed the rain deflectors which looks nice and will be functional in the rain. I haven't yet changed my engine air filter yet. Waiting on this tool in order to remove some push pins to remove the air intake duct assembly.

The LED lights works very well & impressed with it.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Noted.

[james.hendrickson]

No AI. I tried both Rock Auto and eBay, entered my vehicle information 2024 Trailblazer 1.3 L turbo first then all compatible parts populate. When servicing your vehicle some shops operate on commission and the shop attendant will try to sell you more than just wiper blades and will try to sell you other things to pad their commission. So I prefer DIY as much as possible.

QMM - why not check out AI and see if it tells you the correct model? Then you can just order it on line and not even have to deal with the upsell.

[QuarterMillionMan]

No AI. I tried both Rock Auto and eBay, entered my vehicle information 2024 Trailblazer 1.3 L turbo first then all compatible parts populate. When servicing your vehicle some shops operate on commission and the shop attendant will try to sell you more than just wiper blades and will try to sell you other things to pad their commission. So I prefer DIY as much as possible.

[james.hendrickson]

Ahhh...my first reaction is that going to DIY route for wipers is a probably correct. However, what might have been an error was not selecting the wipers. Did you use AI to match the type of wipers you needed against the model of your vehicle?

[QuarterMillionMan]

The middle wiper blade is the OEM which I removed from my car. The left & right are new wiper blades but neither will fit. Notice the thin diameter dowel pin on the left compared to the middle OEM wiper blade. The right wiper blade's dowel pin is slightly thicker than the middle OEM wiper blade and notice the silver marking which I inscribed where I would have to notch the plastic which the middle OEM wiper blade has that notch where the wiper blade arm has a fin thing that fits into that notch. I could try and manually make that notch by cutting into the plastic but I rather just buy a new wiper blade specifically made for my vehicle. Sometimes McGyver'ing and trying to custom fit things are just not worth the time and effort.

[QuarterMillionMan]

First ever for me "System update required." This came up as an alert in my vehicle. It said it'll take 10 mins. A bullet list of items needed to be followed such as vehicle needed to be parked, doors may not unlock, etc. I installed the update which is still installing. I don't anticipate any problems.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Wiiper blades will be next. I bought for the fronts ahead of time but still good so haven't replaced it yet. The others in the pile are from previous vehicles which never got used for one reason or another. The 2 in the middle are rear blade mistake buys for prior vehicles which I will have to see if it fits my new vehicle but current vehicle rear blade is still good. A new rear blade on eBay is $25 so I hope 1 of the 2 will fit.

[QuarterMillionMan]

Since ua_guy suggested changing the cabin air filter, I rec'd today my new cabin air filter & changed it. This is the old filter with a broom straw and very filthy. I bought the car brand new in Nov 2024 and this is the 1st change (1 year & 4 months later).

[QuarterMillionMan]

It's funny that you mentioned it, I just ordered one.

[ua_guy]

Does that thing have a cabin air filter? That should be good for another 5 posts between purchasing, replacing, and taking photos of it