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Frequently Asked Questions
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14.
Can a K&N filter be made at the factory for any application?
15.
How important is the sealing grease?
16.
Will the use of a K&N filter void my factory warranty?
17.
Do the filters come pre-oiled or must they be oiled before
using?
18.
Can the cotton gauze shrink from engine heat?
19.
Is it OK to rotate a round filter to get more longevity?
20.
How do I know when to clean the filter?
21.
Can I use anything other than K&N cleaner and oil?
22.
Can I use compressed air to dry the filter faster?
23.
Should I brush the wire screen with a toothbrush to get all
the “crud” off?
24.
How do K&N filters differ from other brands of filters?
25. If I know the dimensions
required, do you have a filter for my special application (snowmobile, tractor,
small engine, etc.)?
26. How can I tell the size of the
engine in my vehicle?
1. How much of an increase in
miles per gallon should I see from using a K&N air filter or intake kit (Fuel
Injection Performance Kit – FIPK, Typhoon, or AirCharger)?
Results will vary depending on your vehicle, driving habits, load on the engine
(towing for example), existing air system restriction, and other factors. Many
K&N users report an increase in miles per gallon. See our
testimonial page. K&N air
filters and intake kits provide
less restriction on your engine’s air intake than typical original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) filters and air box systems. Less restriction can provide for
more efficient combustion. Our internal testing is performed using employee and
customer vehicles. We usually have the cars for a short period of time that will
only allow for fit checks and dyno (power curve) testing. If you take advantage
of added power by driving harder, you will not see much of a gain, if any, in
MPG. Also if you add a K&N filter and the primary source of air restriction in
the OEM system is the air box, you won’t see much of a difference in power or
MPG unless you add a K&N intake kit to reduce the restriction.
2. What increase in horsepower should I see from a K&N replacement
filter?
We perform internal dyno (power curve) testing on all our product designs. Our
replacement filters are
designed to provide a 2 to 4 percent horsepower increase. Your results will vary
depending on your vehicle, driving habits, load on the engine (towing for
example), existing air system restriction, and other factors.
3. What increase in horsepower should I see from a K&N intake kit
(Fuel Injection Performance Kit – FIPK, Typhoon, or AirCharger)?
We sell several different intake system product lines, they are identified as
FIPK Gen II, FIPK, AirCharger, and Typhoon. Each product line has different
attributes and price points while all are designed to meet our own high quality
standards. FIPK Gen II systems have been engineered to provide the maximum
amount of air flow our engineers could achieve. We expect you to feel a
difference when you stomp on the accelerator after installation. We have
generally designed these kits to increase horsepower and torque between 5 to
10%. Because every car is unique, there are even times (although not many) when
we cannot engineer a system that significantly enhances the O/E air flow. In
those cases, we chose not to produce a kit. AirCharger kits enjoy many of the
same features of our FIPK line but are not street legal in some states. Our
Typhoon kits are designed to provide the highest level of air flow we can
achieve using aluminum tubes that look GREAT! So with the Typhoon you get great
performance and style.
4. Ok, enough of the standard company line, what
increase in horsepower will I get, other companies claim some pretty incredible
numbers?
The official K&N position regarding the claims made by others
is ... "no comment." After three decades in the business, one thing we have
learned is that air flow is a lot trickier than it might appear. For one thing,
it's air, and the density of air varies with both the weather and altitude.
That means there is literally more air in the same amount of space when the
weather is cool than when it's hot. So one way to get a performance boost is to
only drive in cold weather. Since air is variable, air flow claims in absolute
terms are not meaningful. This means we must move into the realm of comparison
and/or averages. When we do performance testing at K&N, we are testing relative
horsepower and torque on a particular vehicle on a particular day so we can hold
as many variables constant while comparing performance with and without the K&N
product on the vehicle. You can count on K&N to put all of our knowledge and
experience into obtaining the highest possible performance gain we can achieve
while still protecting your engine.
5. Are K&N filters emissions legal?
All K&N direct replacement
filters are emissions legal. They do not require any modifications and go
directly in the stock air filter housing.
Universal clamp-on
filters may not be legal in states where under the hood modifications are
not allowed. Since they can be used on just about anything, it would be
impossible to have all the different filters tested for all possible
applications. Check your local laws if you are unsure.
6. Are K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kits – FIPK’s street legal and
will I have a problem passing state vehicle inspections due to the altering of
my air box?
K&N FIPK’s are legal in all
50 states. Each FIPK and
Typhoon intake kit
has been submitted and has received exemption by the California Air Resources
Board (CARB). Since California has the toughest emission laws in the country,
they have been accepted as legal by other states. Each of these kits comes with
a high temperature sticker with the CARB exempt “EO” number. This sticker
differentiates approved devices from non-approved devices. As long as you have
the approved sticker you shouldn’t have any problems with vehicle inspections.
Our Aircharger
intake kits may not be legal in states where under the hood modifications are
not allowed. Check your local laws if you are unsure.
7. Will a K&N filter cause my vehicle’s mass air sensor to fail?
No. A properly oiled K&N
filter will not contaminate a mass air sensor. However,
if extremely over oiled, it's possible for
contamination to occur. In the last few years certain vehicles have had design
problems with the mass air sensors. Some dealers have attempted to blame the
problem on a K&N filter, however, of all the sensors we have sent off to be
tested, we have yet to find one that failed due to oil contamination. The defect
in all cases was within the mass air sensor unit.
8. Can an engine get too much airflow?
No, an engine can only take in a fixed volume of air depending on the engine’s
size. The more restriction that an air intake system (filter, air box, and
tubing) causes, the greater the potential is for power and mileage degradation.
9. Should I install the largest K&N filter that will fit in my race
vehicle?
If an existing K&N filter is large enough to provide negligible restriction, a
larger than required filter will not affect the amount of air an engine can take
in, however, it will lengthen the filter’s service interval. A longer service
interval can be an important factor when racing in dusty, dirty environments.
10. Will I need to make adjustments to my vehicle after I install a
K&N filter or intake kit?
On fuel injected vehicles the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) computer and
emissions control system will adjust for the increase in air. The OEM computer
will adjust immediately if it is reset. Removing the battery cable from the
battery for 15 minutes or more should reset it. On some carbureted models you
may have to richen the mixture when switching from a paper filter to a
K&N air filter or
intake kit.
11. What is the micron rating and filtering efficiency of the K&N
filter?
Air filters are not rated by micron size on an absolute basis. (See technical
service bulletin 89-5R from the Filter Manufacturer's Council) The proper
rating system for air filters is a testing procedure developed to measure the
efficiency of the filtration media at varying micron sizes. We routinely subject
a sample of our air filters to this testing procedure conducted by independent
laboratories. The primary purpose of this testing is to ensure that our air
filter designs meet or exceed automotive industry standards. These filtration
tests are performed in accordance with the Society of Automotive Engineer's (SAE)
J726 testing procedure. The content of the test dust used in accordance with
the testing procedure follows:
| Particle Size in Microns |
% by Volume (+/- 3%) |
| <5.5 |
13 |
| 5.5 to 11 |
11 |
| 11 to 22 |
13 |
| 22 to 44 |
19 |
| 44 to 88 |
28 |
| 88 to 176 |
16 |
Our testing has demonstrated that on average, K&N air filters
have an overall efficiency rating of between 97 and 99%. With proper cleaning
K&N air filters will protect your engine for the life of your vehicle.
12. How much does a filter cost?
It depends upon the application. They can range anywhere from $35.00 up to
$80.00. Size, shape, and materials used to manufacture the filter affect the
price.
13. How much does an intake kit cost?
It depends upon the application. The average price range is from $150.00 to
$400.00. The main factor that affects the price is the cost of the materials to
make the kit. The more parts changed, the greater the price.
14. Can a K&N filter be made at the factory for any application?
Yes, we can make just about anything, but the cost can be prohibitive on panel
filter types. Generally, we only change the height of existing round filters.
This includes cylindrical, conical and oval filters clamp-on or not.
15. How important is the sealing grease?
It is rather important. It helps to maintain a seal on an uneven surface and
reduces the likelihood the air box lid will catch and tear the seal. If sealing
grease is unavailable, a white lithium or a synthetic grease will work just
fine. Do not use petroleum-based products, as they will damage the seal.
16. Will the use of a K&N filter void my factory warranty?
It is against the law for a manufacturer to require the use of a specific brand
of air filter unless it provides a replacement air filter, free of charge, under
the terms of the warranty. For a more thorough discussion of this law known as
the Magnuson-Moss Warranty, see our
Vehicle
Warranty Section of our
Air Filter Facts page.
17. Do the filters come pre-oiled or must they be oiled before
using?
K&N filters come pre-oiled and ready to use. The filter medium is made from
layers of white cotton gauze. The oil has a red dye added to show how much is
being applied. If the filter looks pinkish-red, it is oiled. It is important
that K&N air filters are never used unoiled. This would greatly degrade their
filtering ability.
18. Can the cotton gauze shrink from engine heat?
No. You will not have a problem with the material shrinking as long as the
proper cleaning solutions and oil are used. K&N filters come with a limited
10-year million-mile warranty.
19. Is it OK to rotate a round filter to get more longevity?
This is perfectly OK and even recommended. Most vehicles have a “favorite” spot
to draw air in from and rotating the filter will keep it clean longer.
20. How do I know when to clean the filter?
The general rule of thumb is that the filter needs to be cleaned when the dirt
build up gets as thick as the wire mesh. The usual interval is 30,000 - 50,000
miles depending on driving conditions. We recommend that you check your filter
about once a year in normal usage.
21. Can I use anything other than K&N cleaner and oil?
We recommend that you only use K&N oil and cleaner. K&N air filter oil is a
compound of mineral oil blended with special polymers to form a very efficient
tack barrier. We have performed tests on numerous oil combinations and our blend
has the required properties for maximum flow and filtration. Petroleum products
such as transmission fluid and motor oil will soften and destroy the rubber
sealing edges. Our cleaner is a non-detergent degreaser. Solvents and gasoline
will harden the rubber seals causing the filter to distort (shrink). A mild
detergent can be used in a pinch, but care should be taken to fully rinse it
out. Rinsing detergent out of a filter is similar to getting soap out of a
sponge; it’s not that easy to do. Always make sure the filter is completely dry
before re-oiling.
22. Can I use compressed air to dry the filter faster?
No, this can blow the filter material right out of the wire mesh and ruin the
filter. Pick a nice day to clean the filter and let it dry naturally.
23. Should I brush the wire screen with a toothbrush to get all the
“crud” off?
No, this could tear up the cotton gauze. A soft bristle paintbrush is a better
idea and is recommended on the
cleaning instructions.
24. How do K&N filters differ from other brands of filters?
Most air filters sold today use synthetic fiber, foam, or paper as opposed to
our 4-ply cotton gauze material. These materials do not have the very small
fibers that natural cotton does. See our
Air Filter Facts Page for more
information. Only our reusable filters provide the high airflow capability while
also providing a high filtering efficiency.
25. If I know the dimensions required, do you have an air filter
for my special application (snowmobile, tractor, small engine, etc.)?
We make hundreds of universal filters for just
about any need. Our universal filters come in many shapes and sizes. Some of
them have angled or offset flanges to fit unique space requirements. See our
universal filter page
to find one for your application. You can also search by dimension for one of
our automotive filters on our
Filter by Dimension
Search page.
26. How can I
tell the size of the engine in my vehicle?
North America: Most vehicles have an emissions decal
placed either on the backside of the hood, on the radiator core support, or on
the air box (the box that holds the air filter in place). Your engine size
should be shown on the decal (4.0L for example). If you can't find the emissions
decal you may also find the engine size printed on the decal under the hood that
shows your engine's belt routing. If you still can't find your engine size, see
your local dealer.
Europe: Your registration documents detail your engine size and type of
vehicle. However, if you do not know whether your vehicle is spi (single point
injection) or mpi (multi point injection) we suggest you consult your local
dealer
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