Do K&N Air Filters do what they are supposed to do?

[plim77]

I'm going to be changing the air filter pretty soon. Has anyone tried the K&N air filter? Does it really perform as advertised? Anyone know where I can get one under $50?

Has anyone ever taken the old one out (not K&N, the factory one that came with the CR-V), washed it with water, and put it back in?

[Carbuff2]

K & N filters WILL pass more air than a regular air filter. The washable media is really good for a million miles as they advertise.


But there is a little controversy over how effective the K&N are over time. One guy with a trucking company did a test, evaluating used oil analysis and engine teardowns, and found that there was more dirt in the engine and oil than with a paper filter. He chose to stick with stock items.

And on that subject, no you can't wash out a normal paper filter because, uh, it's made of paper and will fall apart. You can, however, knock loose dust and debris out of the filter when you check it periodically.

This applies to the pleated cabin filters, too.

If you aren't sure if your present filter needs to be replaced, buy a new one, and hold it side-by-side to the old one. When ALL of the paper media is darker than the unused filter, toss it. (It will tend to get dirty in the middle first.)

BTW, genuine Honda air filters are tuned to the intake and exhaust for the best engine output and efficiency, so that's what I use.

[wrussi]

yes they are very good and along with the hondata airbox mod it makes the car a little peppier all across the rpm range

[fortified]

Both Amsoil and AEM make nanofiber technology filters that promise similar flow rates as K&N and similar filters.
The beauty is they don't use oil. Knowing the right amount of oil is important, and even then there have been cases of oil fouling the air flow sensor.
These filters can be cleaned periodically and have long life.
Amsoil make most direct replacement panel filters, and AEM makes a variety of cone filters to fit various after market air intake systems.
I would highly recommend these over K&N.

[b-coke]

I've never heard of the nanofiber filters, sounds cool. I have a k&n but I can't tell a difference, the only reason I bought it was because I didn't want to buy any more replacement filters.