Should I make the investment in a K&N air filter? Will it improve my fuel economy?

Has anyone had positive results with a K&N air filter?

 

Hi Nick,

This question will spark a lot of debate I am sure. For example, does a K&N (or any oil based filter) allow more dirt through? Does an oil based filter potentially damage your MAF sensor? Does the engine needs more air? And so.

I purchased a Toyota TRD washable filter and used it for about 10k miles. I do not think my FE was any better or worse than with the Purolator replacement. I decided to replace the oiled cotton with the paper filter because I determined I would rather filter out more dirt than get a few points in the FE or HP column. After all, the manufacture choose a paper filter for a reason.

That said, I sort of felt the TRD filter did give the car better response but that should very well have been 100% psychological.

You might want to take a look at the following link. I found it very useful and it is what ultimately allowed me make the jump back to paper.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm


Good luck,
Mike

 

If a K&N air filter worked perfectly for both improving fuel economy and no damage to anything, why all car manufacturer don't use it?

Ken@Japan

 

Thanks guys!!!
You both brought up some good points. I think that I will hold off on a K&N filter.

 

I have a K&N filter in my TCH and have been happy with the results. I have used K&N filters in my old 4runner, 2 Saabs and a chevy S-10. I have been satified with the fuel economy in my TCH. I have been averaging close to 40mpg since i installed the K&N. It's a personal decision but the stock filter in my TCH really didn't look like it offered much in the way of flitering or performance.

 

Thanks Chris for your input!

 

That statement is misleading without any information prior to the installation of the K&N filter. In addition, other variables like learning how to drive the car, climate, and routes matter. If those were not held constant the statement would be void.

(Keep up the great FE!! I am jealous!)

Basically, we need a test similar to what the guy in the link I provided did. Just looking for FE instead of air filtration. I would be very interested in the results.

I did notice my oil seemed to contain a bit more fine particles after installation of my TRD. I just don't know about he FE. I guess I will know more when I have the car this summer using a paper filter as I used the TRD filter all last summer and after a few oil changes with the paper filter.

 

Yes..........just based on when i installed the K&N filter the car only had less than 750mi from what i remember. The engine was still in the early break in stages and the K&N may or may not have had a direct impact on fuel economy. You are correct in that assumption.

 

Several threads about K&N, here are just two when I searched for "K&N"

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...-filter-12274/

https://www.greenhybrid.com/discuss/...-filter-14861/

 

I had mentioned in a previous post yesterday my Toyota dealer strongly suggested against the K&N because issues with sensors setting off warning to the computer and more fine dirt past through to the top end of the engine. I found this article testing K&N filters that was done on a number of filters with interesting results.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=180100

I had K&N filters in my past two cars for 10 years and I stopped using them because of extra expense in cleaning throttle bodies.

I thought you should know.

Bill