[verybigf]

Well, I get a air filter every 3,000 miles with my oil change that I do. My filter gets realy dirty real fast, so I dont do it every 12,000 miles.

I get a $3 air filter from STP and know that K&N is a real good brand, but costs $40. Are these sorta filters the ones that you can wash with a hose or do you have to toss them out whenever you change your filter?

[TeNuaTe]

All the K&N stock air filters are cleanable.

[SNUfR8uI]

You buy a seperate "recharge" kit, somtimes they run deals where they give the kit away from with the filter.

It's really easy. You just apply the cleaner to the filter, let it soak, then wash it off. After this you spray the oil back on it and let it dry.

[TerriLS]

Remember that if you are thinking of getting a K & N filter for your car, you may have too get your idle speed adjusted too.
Unless the car has an engine management chip, then it may do it automatically.

Since K & N's allow more airflow over a normal "bog standard" filter.

Also the higher air flow, can also increase fuel consumption since more fuel is required to even out the increased air ratio.

I remember when I had my first car, A Mark2 VW Polo, stuck a K & N on it, and my top speed went up from 95 to 105mph, but my mpg went down from 35 to 30.

[Audi_z]

Remember that if you are thinking of getting a K & N filter for your car, you may have too get your idle speed adjusted too.
Unless the car has an engine management chip, then it may do it automatically.

Since K & N's allow more airflow over a normal "bog standard" filter.

Also the higher air flow, can also increase fuel consumption since more fuel is required to even out the increased air ratio.

I remember when I had my first car, A Mark2 VW Polo, stuck a K & N on it, and my top speed went up from 95 to 105mph, but my mpg went down from 35 to 30.

DUDE that was the most uninformed post I've ever read. basicaly there will be no difference exept its washable. I have a short ram intake and theres no difference at all in anything exept the sound. a drop in k and n will not add 10mph nor will it decrease mpg by 5[thumbdown]

[TerriLS]

DUDE that was the most uninformed post I've ever read. basicaly there will be no difference exept its washable. I have a short ram intake and theres no difference at all in anything exept the sound. a drop in k and n will not add 10mph nor will it decrease mpg by 5[thumbdown]

Actually my observations with the K & N were entirely correct!
Although K & N do say that there will be no change needed for carburation adjustment, Its not so for ALL cars.

My MK2 Polo did'nt have any sort of electronic ignition or engine management chip, Yet it needed slight adjustment to the idle speed and fuel ratio to cope with the increased air throughput.

In my experience K & N and Ram air filters are entirely different, the first using a several layers of stiff cotton gauze and the ram air filter using a foam layer.

And I did see a drop in mpg, but only until the fuel/air ratio was correctly set AND I did see a definate 10mph increase in top speed and increased acceleration.

And I do know my "@rse from my elbow" since I've been driving cars and bikes for over 20 yrs, and Rebuit the engine in that particular Polo from scratch, as well as the engines in over a dozen motorcycles.

[mylittlejewelaa]

DUDE that was the most uninformed post I've ever read. basicaly there will be no difference exept its washable. I have a short ram intake and theres no difference at all in anything exept the sound. a drop in k and n will not add 10mph nor will it decrease mpg by 5[thumbdown]

It's not completely impossible,unlikely yeah...but not impossible.

Depends how free-flowing the engine and exhaust system were and how restrictive the stock filter was.

[JessePex]

There is a big difference between a paper air filter and a K&N. The K&N filter allows for greater airflow and while it won't add much power it can help.

I found that I got a bit better mileage when using one. My car is new and has sensors that monitor the air flow going to the injectors. I figured that the car wasn't getting enough air and was burning more fuel than it needed to.

Most new cars will have a sensor box and the short ram and cold air intakes made for the specific model will have housings to hold the sensor. Your cars computer shoudl be able to make the proper adjustments. There are thousands of dyno tests you can look up on the internet to show that these intakes do make more power and can drop 0-60 times by almost a full second in some applications.

[PrareeLor]

If you're replacing the air filter at 3k miles with every oil change, and it only costs $3, why not keep doing that? Seems like a resonable solution, f**k that K&N cleaning crap.

[SNUfR8uI]

can drop 0-60 times by almost a full second in some applications.

[rofl]

Please find anywhere showing solid proof that simply adding a k&n filter will drop the 0-60 by 1 second. Heck, even half a second.
I don't care if you even go as far at to install a full K&N intake system (CAI or SRI), you're still not going to see a 1 second 0-60 drop.

The only reason I'd even recommend a K&N filter is because I know that red_dog007 is running an older model vehicle.
I wouldn't (and don't) run one in a vehicle with a MAF sensor. Regardless of what K&N may try to say (they have a page specifically about this) running a K&N will result in a fine misting of oil over the MAF sensor, which over time will cause problems.
I also wouldn't run a K&N if you live in a very dirty area (like a dirt road) because part of the reason K&N flows more air is it also lets in more dirt (google it).

They are washable, and it is easy to do so.
I have used K&N in a number of my vehicles. In fact, this is the first I haven't. I did some research and decided that I didn't want to run the risk of potential problems the K&N would give me.

BUT, if you rarely travel through dirty areas and don't have a MAF I would still recommend it!

[Muhabsssa]

Lets get some things clear.

1: We're discussing the K&N Panel filters yes? not the 57i Filterchargers? ...

2: A K&N (Be it a panel filter or 57i filter) will NOT give noticable performance improvements. Infact on smaller engines, 1.6 and below it is common to LOSE performance, more so with the use of the 57i filterchargers.

3: Unless you are planning modifications to your engine etc then the $40 for a K&N filter is money wasted as you will gain nothing over a standard paper filter.

4: K&N panel and 57i filters are cleanable using the K&N cleaning kit.

5: Due to the 57i filters being coated in oil, they have been known to damage AFM's.

Final point, chances are you will notice more fuel being used than performance being gained.

[PlanTaleks]

When i installed my K&N Filter in my Audi i felt as if the engine was pulling better. That put beside they are washable and just great brand. Although you can find same kind of performance filter for much cheaper. K&N is just a brand and you are paying more then other brands for the name just like when you buy clothing.

[verybigf]

How much does it cost to get the cleaning stuff for K&N filters?

Now would a K&N oil filter be worth the extra $7 over a STP or FRAM oil filter?

[Feelundseenna]

Now would a K&N oil filter be worth the extra $7 over a STP or FRAM oil filter?

Now that's a definate "no"...

[Switiespils]

When i installed my K&N Filter in my Audi i felt as if the engine was pulling better. That put beside they are washable and just great brand. Although you can find same kind of performance filter for much cheaper. K&N is just a brand and you are paying more then other brands for the name just like when you buy clothing.

It could be a placebo effect. Because you're knowing that you've changed something that claims to increase performance therefore you make it out as if it's done something.

[PrareeLor]

Now that's a definate "no"...

^Agree with that^

There are several forums related to oil, filters and automotive lubrication in general, so you might want to hit Google and do a bit of research. Many of them have posted results indicating Fram is often inferior to other brands, contrary to the popular belief that they're a "premium" brand. FWIW.

[tobia]

It could be a placebo effect. Because you're knowing that you've changed something that claims to increase performance therefore you make it out as if it's done something.

exactly, other common examples of this are

washing and waxing your car makes it go faster

K&N, NOS, and other such stickers regarding parts on other vehicles make your car go faster

as far is it being better than a paper filter... most of the time, you wont see any noticeable gain/loss, let in more air? yeah, usually, but like others said also more dirt.

hurting the MAF/AFM i dont know, but possibly, i ran it in my 944 for a few years with no ill effects, and i know a ton of other people that have also, but its possible i guess depending on your vehicle.

switching to a cone filter, same as above, but will probably change the sound a little, therefore making you think you are going faster.... but often times, this is turning a cold air intake (good thing) into a hot air intake (bad thing)