K&N Filters - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

19Glendale · 09-13-2010, 04:08 PM

Anyone got opinions on K&N air filters?
Does just using the air filter itself and not the new intake add any power?
Is the filtering quality equal/better than say Fram?
any input would be appreciated.

sonic2wb · 09-13-2010, 05:47 PM

Oh god you had to go and say the F word!!!! LOL

OpticNerve · 09-13-2010, 06:05 PM

I think that the K&N are fine for the older cars 1995, 1996, etc.,but I tried one in my 2000 Avalon and maybe just a freak thing, but my MAF sent a code to the ECM. I like the Nippon filters.

American Pie · 09-14-2010, 12:22 AM

I have an '85 6 series BMW and the K&N question occasionally comes up on the BMW forums. At least on my car, the stock Mahle filter element is supposed to actually have MORE filtering area than a K&N replacement. Some BMW guys run a K&N regardless, but I think it's more of a psychological benefit if anything. It's always nice to think that a simple, cheap bolt-on will add more power but to my knowledge there have never been any tests that actually prove a K&N offers a significant benefit. Then there's the cleaning factor; it has to be cleaned and re-oiled periodically which is just kind of a hassle IMO. So in summary, the general consensus seems to be that they're a waste of money (although there are probably worse things you can waste your money on).

Oh...and if you want a quality filter for your Toyota, skip the FRAM and get a WIX (aka NAPA Gold) or Purolator.

19Glendale · 09-14-2010, 10:17 AM

What about Fram Tough Guard?

American Pie · 09-14-2010, 03:49 PM

I can't give an opinion about their "Tough Guard" line filters, as I don't know enough about them. However, I've come to view Fram as a marketing company, rather than a company that strives to make quality products. Why do they find it necessary to name one of their products "tough"? I think it's because the rest of their product line has earned a poor reputation. Sort of like years ago, when GM named their then-new 4-cylinder engine "Iron Duke"

to make up for a decade or so of building engines that blew head gaskets and wore out their cylinder liners prematurely.

Better for a company to just devote itself to consistently building quality stuff, rather than resorting to marketing shell games like this in order to deceive the consumer. Or, if they must, build crap and be honest about it.

pmesfun · 09-14-2010, 04:27 PM

I had mine installed for the past 12k miles, not one problem. Also it only has to cleaned and re-oiled every 50k. good investment...

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonic2wb

Oh god you had to go and say the F word!!!! LOL

Chunkywolf · 09-15-2010, 01:14 AM

My K&N is working great, but I don't really have much of a reference point considering the dealer "suggested" I get a new filter the moment I started driving the car. By the time I replaced it 20k or so later, it had small rocks in every other slat, and it was greyer than my carpet.