The power steering pump is constantly pumping regardless of steering input, and also may have torque steer correction active (not familiar with that model but I'm throwing that out there). Is it that noticeable from inside the vehicle, and in only those gears? I've had whining in a power steering pump that was fixed by changing the fluid and using an additive (Lucas, which is Honda compatible).

 

and btw, "interesting" was a great word to describe it. It took me an entire cup of coffee to get through that 40 page report linked above that simulated intake air filter restriction with blue shop towels - partially destroying a number of the filters tested in the process. Laughable "science" from the usual source - loosely qualified govt employees. And we wonder why we have a national debt..... I've done more accurate testing than that with none of their access to equipment. Gosh, it must've been far too difficult to actually find some dirty air filter elements, and do some actual scientific testing. As far as a cold air intake, your car was designed with one to begin with, just follow your intake path from the air filter housing to the front end of the car. Even my 2003 Durango draws it's intake air from the fender. The scientific issue on oiled cotton gauze versus paper is the disruption in air flow. I'm not beating this horse any more, and I'll be glad to post the first time I need to clean the throttle body on our CR-V that's been running K&N drop-in filter elements for the last 100,000+ miles now.

 

Do you really consider published results form the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (one of the institutions involved in the development of atomic energy) to be "laughable science"?

Taking this from a different perspective, would you please share your knowledge with us as to the physics you believe come into play which allows an improvement in fuel economy from the simple addition of a low restriction air filter?