How do you feel about K&N Filters?

In July '22 doing only 90 km/h, I ran into a step ladder lying in the middle of the freeway causing more than $8,000 damage. Thankfully, I had the stock paper filter.

 

Ironically, just bought an oem air filter last week to replace the TRD high flow reusable filter after a check engine codes P0170/P0171 occurs on the system due to MAF sensor malfunction. It never give any problem until it does and it’s not a good feeling dealing with one.

 

I use a similar product to K&N, from a company called aFe. I used one for close to 15 years on my previous truck, a 2001 Dodge Cummins. I have used an aFe on my Tacoma almost since new (April 2017). I have had zero issues.

 

I have ran them on every car, truck and motorcycle that I have owned since the mid 80's. Never any problems and will continue to run them.
Very contentious subject.

 

I feel they have a terrific marketing team and budget.

No.

Yes. In another marquee. It was ok. No butt dyno improvement, but a touch of noise.

But by the time you remove, clean, dry, oil, replace you could have installed a decent replacement and moved on to several other tasks.

 

Look at it this way... Consider that manufacturers spend millions designing the engine to be as fuel and emission efficient as possible. If a simple bolt on air cleaner/ intake system would increase performance/fuel mileage, why wouldn't they install that type from the factory?

 

Yup. My brother's neighbor's cousin's uncle says he had one in his truck and it killed his truck.

When properly oiled, it's a good filter. The problem is that most people don't know how to oil them.

I've used them since I started racing off road in 1983. Raced for 18 years. Hours of WOT.

Have had them in every vehicle since:
1984 VW Rabbit 187k miles
1993 Dodge Dakota 166k miles
1994 Honda CBR600F2 38k miles
1998 Dodge Dakota 148k miles
2002 Honda CBR600F4i 58k miles
2006 Tacoma 196k miles
2017 Tacoma 132k (and climbing) miles
2018 Yamaha MT-09 44k (and climbing) miles

Definitely junk.

 

Currently running an afe I've got to oil, but considering switching back to paper or a dry afe. Do you run a dry filter?

 

Paper is cheaper and almost imbecile-proof (almost).

 

So they are giving up free marketing mpg to save a few dollars. That makes no sense.

 

No, the aFe filters I have used were the oiled type. I actually wasn't aware they made a dry type, as I haven't been in the market for air filters since 2017.

 

nope.....

 

I have one in mine from the PO, don't feel like buying the cleaning kit for it. More expensive than a new OEM filter and I can't imagine the improvement is that great over stock.

 

My brother is a mechanic and he said the same thing. Plus, I don’t know how it make sense where a high air flow filter can filter fine particles. Even if the oil help catch those fine particles, it’s still a hassle cleaning it and headache worrying the oil might dry before the next cleaning schedule.

 

I am a new Tacoma owner and just joined the forum. I have ran K&N oiled filters on multiple vehicles (approximately 200K miles). I switched to AFE dry filters when all the oil sensors issues started happening. I’ve ran the AFE dry filters on a 2011 Tahoe, 2016 Canyon, 2012 Jeep Wrangler, and a 2018 Silverado. Total miles on all of these is around 450K miles. I also send my oil to Blackstone to have it checked periodically, all my reports come back excellent. I’m a 4K-5K miles guy on oil changes. I clean the AFE between 10K-20K miles. I always pay close attention to the clean side of the air box to see if anything dust is getting by, it’s always very clean. No evidence of dirt, dust, debris. All in I’ve been very happy with the AFE filters, I personally wouldn’t go with the Oiled versions. Lastly if I drove in a dusty environment or off-road a lot I may consider going to a OEM style.

 

The OEM filters are outstanding. Excellent QC on the construction, gaskets that fit perfectly, that little tiny strip of glue down the middle of the filter to keep the pleats perfectly spaced. Lots and lots of pleats (which makes a big difference in maintaining good flow.) K&N seems to need to invent a problem so you ignore the benefits of the OEM filters.

 

Since oil is good… anyone considered adapting an old oil bath air filter onto their Tacoma?

 

Cool decals. Other than that, I didn't notice any difference in performance or gas mileage not to mention the mess of cleaning them. I went back to OEM paper and change them out regularly.

 

What are you gaining by using anything other than OEM?

Are people really that frugal about the cost of buying one-time use filters? A new paper filter costs about as much as a BigMac meal at McDonalds

I don't get it