K&N air filters for cars

[Tx Bohemian]

I need to change the air filter on my Trailblazer and been kicking the idea around about getting a K&N.  The one for the TB is like over 3 times more expensive and the cleaning kit is about the price of a new regular filter.  I don't see the benefit on price.

Now if I do put one on and the car runs noticibly better and/or gets substantial more MPG I could condon the extra cost.  My car gets 15-15.5 in town and 19-21 on the highway w/ AC.

On other M/C boards riders put them on their bikes and claim more power and better fuel milage (maybe it's a wish because of the cost).

Does anyone here have experience with the K&N filters on cars?  Are they what they claim?

[Tropic traveler]

I have had them on numerous cars & trucks over the years.
I have noticed slight increases in power & fuel mileage but nothing dramatic. I use them mainly for the re-use factor as anything. I have one on my Valk {with prefilter} & on my 5.0 Mustang and Ranger. Over 125,000 miles with the K&N on the Mustang. Most F.I. cars & trucks are capable of adjusting to the air flow increase of a K&N. Most stock air filter set ups are fairly restrictive & are just as concerned with noise control as air flow. If you are a maintenence nut {as I am} & keep your vehicles a long time the K&N will pay you back.
One huge warning on a K&N.... I would NOT use a K&N or any other oiled gauze style filter on a turbo diesel. I see the damage done to late model turbo diesels from the grit that gets by those kinds of filter set ups waaay too often! It may be just as much poor installation of aftermarket filters as it is the oiled gauze but I do want to mention it. 

[alph]

I’ve got three K&N air filters.  One is in a ’99 Ford Windstar, and an ’01 F150 super crew, and now in my IS.

I just put it in the interstate so I won’t know about performance until later when I can get it on the streets again.

As for the van and truck, I did notice better gas mileage.  About two to three miles per gallon more.  Although, the van had the filter in right away, we did drive it for about a year until I needed to replace the original.

I’ll clean them once a year, one cleaning kit will do both filters twice, or one filter four times.  

I look at it like this, I don’t have to go to the store and buy one anymore, I can clean it when ever I feel I need to, and I haven’t bought a new filter in about 6 years.  (except for the Valk.)

It all depends on how long you plan on keeping the vehicle.  We keep ours at least ten years, so buying a reusable filter was a good decision for me.  It’s paid for it’s self.  The next vehicle I buy will get a K&N filter.  

I’ve had no problems.  Then again, it all matters on how long you plan on keeping the car.  If only two to three years, forget it.  

[R J]

I've used K&N filters for several years.

I have one on my Chevy Trike, 1 in the Valkyrie, it has been there 8 years, and I just took the one out of my Dakota that i have had in 3 trucks.      My new truck has a Cold Air system now...    Makes her beller when ya stand on the Hemi.....   Have no idea if it increases HP or gas mileage.    Put it on at 300+ miles........

[Tundra]

I run K&N on all my vehicles. The whole cold intake system on my truck paired with oversized dual exhaust and a chip. No Y pipe and no converters. I Increased my fuel milage and increased my HP.
  If you think you'll put in a K&N and actually notice some kind of differance, I would say no. This was fairly expensive to do and I like the sound and was making more money than I knew what to do with (at the time)
  Now, I would just drive it and save the money.

[solo1]

I've used K&N filters on all my vehicles.  My Valk had one in for 13 years.  My Highlander has one.

I installed a cold air system on my Miata using a K&N.  I don't think that the K&N filters do anything for the fuel mileage, definitely not on the Highlander which gets not so good gas mileage.

The only noticeable improvement is on the Miata but that was a major change in the air intake.

However, they're worth it from a non replacement standpoint if you keep your vehicles. It was especially ok in the Valk because of the time (labor) it takes to get to the filter.

As an aside, we have two reoiling kits and only used the once, one came free with the K&N.

[MAD6Gun]

 I have a K&N in my Valk anf my 70 Bonneville. I have a AirRaid system in my 05 GMC. As far as power increase or mileage. Not sure on that but the factor of not having to replace a filter as often is a plus.

  Just one thing you want to keep in mind is how they can effect  modern cars with Mass air flow sensors. Be careful NOT to over oil the filter when cleaning it. Excessive oil can cause the MAF sensor to set codes and run bad when the oil gets on the sensors sensing wires. Some can be cleaned some can't. It does not happen to often but we have seen it here at the dealer. Just for your information.....

[JerryB]

X2 on MAD6Gun's post....JerryB.

[gregc]

Becareful on a GM fuel injected motor, if you get the oil from over oiling the filter, on the mass air flow wire. It will set a code and require cleaning or replacement.  Don't ask how I know, 2007 trailbazer SS.

[Tx Bohemian]

Thanks for the insight fellas.  Ya'll comfirmed what I was leaning towards.  Don't think I'm going with the K&N.  We almost traded this thing in a few months ago and it might happen again soon so the longevity of ownership isn't there. And unless I can get 3-4 more MPG or have noticibly "blasting" increase in speed/torque it isn't worth it.

We've got 44K on this thing and haven't changed it yet (it is due however).  So we don't drive in drastic conditions at all.

Thanks again, Al