I installed a K&N filter on my previous car, a '00 Nissan Maxima. About 8 months later, my air flow sensor had to be replaced. The mechanic said that it was most likely the filter. It cost me $400.

 

Funny............i have had K&N filters in my vehicles for more than 15 years and have never had to clean the mass airflow sensor or anything else for that matter. I have had them in 3 different type of vehicles going back to a 1992 chevy S-10 and including my TCH. I do regularly take the filter out and clean excess dirt out periodicly, though. I've been pleased with K&N.

 

Interesting article.

 

In my experience these offer little or no gain, and I don't think they are not worth it. Also I had one in my Lexus IS300, and it screwed up the mass airflow sensor.

They promise better fuel efficiency and more power but it is so minuscule it doesn't really make a difference in my opinion. Not worth the money.