K&N Performance Air Filter

[plus 3 golfer]

I'm surprised no one has posted this...K&N filters let more dirt through.

I agree. Thanks for posting the pic and link.

 

See post 6 (over 3 years old) which references the Spicer study although the link to the study is now broken. 

 

Obviously what the study neglects is what the downside of passing more dirt into the engine with respect to future engine maintenance / repair. Does it "really" matter with respect to the engine that the K&N is say only 97% efficient.  I suppose it also depends on where one lives as some areas have a lot more dirt in the air than others.  I always thought the Phoenix area had clean air.  Well after spending 9 recent years there, it's the "dirtiest" place I've lived (lots of dirt in the air from the desert areas).  I suppose most areas that receive little rain would be like that. 

 

I used a K&N in my 1982 MB 300SD for over 250k miles.  The only benefit of the K&N that I observed was that I saved $ over buying replacement paper air filters.  The downside - dealing with the oily K&N filter. :)

 

[ptjones]

I actually tested K&M vs Factory filters on Post #27 and I have one in my CMAX with around 135K mi. on it.   The Test filter is for a chevy silverado, It looks like our is about as big. :)  The K&N filter has a lot more surface area as compared to factory filter.  It don't think the K&N helps MPG's much, I do think it helps HP and it will last for ever. My old filter wasn't that dirty.

 

Paul

Edited October 27, 2017 by ptjones

[vonsche]

I just put a K&N on my wife's 2016 C-MAX and did notice a little bit of pep.  Also have run K&N in every vehicle I've owned including a 800HP Camaro ZL1 with zero problems.  As long as you don't overoil them when you clean, you'll be fine. 

[ptjones]

I have 172k with the original K&N air filter in it, it is a big job to replace it. :sad:  I have a new FORD one I could put in it. My oil analyse is great and  I used 1/2 quart in 13k ICE miles.

 

Paul

[fbov]

I have my original paper air filter, and I have no plans to change it. 

- it's paper, so as it loads with dirt, it becomes a more efficient filter.

- it's a fuel-injected car, so the engine can't tell throttle from filter constriction. 

 

Never seen a point in a hybrid. Very different in a race car. 

 

Frank

[Bob Moore]

I've heared a lot of those performance filters, yet I've also read a blog of a guy who put some aftermarket performance filter, which made the throttle body extremely dirty. So, he had thrown the filter away, as well as the OE throttle body, and had to pay to the mechanic for the job... Just someone else's story, yet I do not want to risk.

[ptjones]

With 173k mi. I have never cleaned my throttle body with K&N air filter for most of the miles. Also I haven't cleaned the filter either and my oil analysis numbers are great. :)

 

Paul

[ptjones]

I finally replace my K&N air filter and as you can see with about 155k miles the inside is still clean and you can see daylight through it. the back side is dirty toward the edges. Looks like I could go another 100K miles.  :)  I had a new FORD filter that I replaced it with that I had bought 4 yrs. ago. :)

 

Paul

[jzchen]

I put a K&N in our Energi when it was due for an air filter replacement.  My wife traded our Energi in and I'm afraid I have nothing much to report except engine sounded less like it was gasping for air.

 

Please open you Owners' Manual to the page with air filter replacement instructions.  There is a picture.  If you rotate the housing in that orientation it will slide out without much fuss.

[ptjones]

I don't think my K&N filter improved MPG's, but it did improve acceleration. IMO

 

Paul