Quote:
Originally Posted by NeWave
As you know, I have one as well. They're in all my cars. Not filtering well is a bunch of rubbish. K&N has a million mile warranty.. and will replace your engine if their filter is the cause of it's failure. It breathes better, hence better response and mileage. Filtering is not sacraficed. my brother has had the same one on his car since new. 275,000 miles. Original engine. I'll let you drive mine if you want to see the difference...
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Oh boy... K&N has certainly done a good marketing job to gullible "enthusiasts".
There's been so much written about K&N filters that to repeat too much of it here would be a waste of time. It should just be pointed out that there's "no free lunch" - you don't get good or better filtering when you use a less restrictive filter. Being less restrictive means that if air can pass more freely then the hole size in the filter is larger and larger particulate matter also passes through.
Modern intake systems are designed very efficiently. In many cars even leaving the filter out completely will not result in more power. Besides, to get more power you also need to make other modifications to the engine and exhaust system.
What some people may be feeling is throttle response which is being confused with increased power. However, there is a large degree of placebo effect taking place making people believe something that they want to happen.
That "million mile warranty" is for the filter itself, not the engine. Filter manufacturers don't warranty engines, they warranty their own product - filters. K&N is known for slick and misleading advertising.
However, here are the precise words used by K&N related to their warranty.
"
K&N O/E Replacement Air Filters and Air Intake Systems purchased from Authorized Dealers are backed by a Million Mile Limited Warranty when used primarily on paved roads and on vehicles for which they were designed. If one of these products ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, K&N will replace it."
In respect to warrantying any engine damage resulting from the use of defective K&N filters they state - "
This includes reasonable vehicle repair costs, sensor replacements, car rental fees or other incidental expenses directly related to an engine problem caused by the failure of a K&N product." The wear that takes place occurs over a long period of time and mileage and may not be evident during the vehicle warranty period. Additionally, there will be no catastrophic damage such that a warranty will be in effect. This is part of the slick advertising that K&N engages in. People are reacting to K&N's policy as to mean that their filters are as good as OEM filters and will do no damage - that is patently untrue.
I used to use K&N filters in my motorcycles. When I used one in a GoldWing I noticed a layer of fine dust in the plenum chamber where there had never been that phenomenon before. That area is after filtration. Dust, dirt, does get through those oil impregnated gauze filters. They were originally designed for off road use where filters would be exposed to water and mud as well as thick dust. Paper filters would disintegrate under those conditions - the oiled gauze filters don't and they continue to at least filter even when caked with dirt and mud. Off-road motorcycle racing was the type of use I had with them originally.
K&N products are well constructed and are excellent when used for the right purposes. Using these filters in production cars driven on public roads is not an appropriate application for these oiled gauze filters.
Here is an excellent independent test of air filters. You can judge for yourself how the K&N faired. Note the commentary by Arlen Spicer.
ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test Report
1976 Rover Mini
2003 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (SOLD)
2009 smart Passion (Gone)
2011 smart Passion
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