K&N Air Filter

pretty sure any idiot knows how to oil a filter

 

I have 126k on my truck with the same k&n obviously Cleaned and oiled during that time with no issues. I also ran one on my Yamaha warrior for years with no problems

 

Unless you need to run your engine around 5500-6000 most of the time a little extra flow doesn't add much. I change my oem filter at 60k and don't lose any mpg at that interval. Changing it every oil change or every year is a waste. I'm at 6 years and 50k on mine. For oem type filters the longer you go the better they filter.

I'm kicking myself that I changed the original filter at 30K.

 

It can be a subjective issue. I changed mine on my 2011 at 30k and it needed it. Some may not, but I think it's a good idea to change at 30k if dirty as the dirt / dust will clog the filter and not allow for proper air intake.

As far as OEM vs. K&N or aftermarket filters that do let more air flow in, as a previous poster stated - the same size filter that let's more air in won't filter as well.

Maybe the oil in the K&N counters the airflow vs. filtering issue I'm not sure. I did run a K&N oiled filter in my Mustang for 8 years and 75k miles with no issues.

That being said - My 2014 Baja 4x4 is only going to see OEM air filters every 25 - 30k or when needed for the life of the truck.

 

Since I keep it under 3000, usually under 2000, I have no concern that I'm not getting proper air intake.

30k as Toyota recommends is one thing, the every oil change, or every year or every 6 months that many people do is just a waste, and a dirty air filter does filter more than a brand new one.

 

I wasn't thinking about rpm's but good point. Yeah I was just saying you shouldn't feel bad for changing it at 30k.

I agree a dirty air filter will filter better than a brand new one. I was trying to saying that it won't let the air in that a new one will. Thereby changing your air to fuel ratio even if slightly - decreasing gas mileage.

 

I have used K&N Air Filters for years. They are much better than stock units.
Do they give you more horsepower? Maybe 1 H.P.

Do they sound cool? Yes

Do they flow better? Yes

Do they clean the air better? Yes

All I can say is that I replaced my stock air filter with a K&N and combined that with a Magnaflow Muffler and my MPG (in town) went from 18 MPG to 20. Your results may vary however. But I did want o keep the stock look as the Toyota Shroud design is good.

In fact I purchased two air filters so I can swap out the dirty one quickly and do not have to wait for the filter to dry after I clean it.

 

Let's see. How often do OFFROAD RACERS rebuild their engines? Or, do they do like the average auto owner and try to get 100K or more out of them before rebuilding them? Think about what you are saying for a minute...

 

Um, they may "flow better" than stock units but that won't help our engines in any bit. In fact, there is a thread on here somewhere discussing this same thing and the fact that it was tested in a Tacoma - OEM filter vs K&N vs no filter whatsoever... Look it up as it is definitely a good read. But, if you want to keep believing...

 

You could add a restriction gauge on the back of the air filter side. It will tell you when it's time to replace the filter. I run a AFE Pro Dry and clean that every 30K. Performance filters don't really do what they claim. To see if they really do filter well you should have a uoa done.

 

In closed loop fuel injection the fuel ratio is automatically compensates for changes, no decrease in gas mileage.

 

So are you removing your trd air filter that came with your truck? I just cleaned mine and re-oiled at 23k miles cause it was dirty.

Steve

 

I had a K&N in my 2006 V6 for 175,000 miles with no issue. Would I buy one to increase mileage or power...NO. Would I buy one to cut down on filter replacement costs....YES. Now that K&N dropped their price on the "recharger" kit, it's much more cost effective, that kit used to be $20.

My opinion of the filter as well as a device called the Tornado, a device to swirl the air to increase flow (which I had on my Dodge Durango), they make some but very little power or mileage increases.

 

Worn valve stems and valve guides and piston rings will also make oil disappear regardless of having a K&N filter or not. Putting a K&N on a vehicle with bunch of miles on it that is already burning oil and then blaming the filter for accelerated oil loss is just silly. Yeah yeah yeah, the scientific data blah blah blah.....no. If it were that much of a deal there wouldn't be more people with no problems than there are people "saying" it was the filter causing it. But by all means, keep the obama type "reasoning" and scapegoat assignment going.

 

Obama type reasoning?

 

I have it on my '12 Taco V6. Installed about 12k ago and nothing but good (34k miles now). I have NOT averaged below 20 mpg for the last 12k (may be weather). I drive 50/50 city/hiway. I don't do offroading except driving on my own back yard. I paid about $33 for it....

Back in the day I used Amsoil air filter (similar to K&N - wash/re-oil/re-use) in my 2002 4Runner, had it for about 8 years with about 75k miles and no problem at all.

 

Cool. Didn't know that.

My truck has the TRD air filter? haha To be honest I haven't pulled the air filter out to look at it as I only have 1k miles, and none of my truck specs [ie window sticker, vin spec sheet] said I had one. I'll have to go look now.

I also don't have the TRD skid plate which I thought they should have put on, not that I didn't realize that when I bought the truck though - But I have TRD Badging everywhere. [which I actually like]

 

Mine has the skid plate. Maybe the stopped putting on the skid plate and the air filter. Just open the hood where the air filter goes there will be a sticker saying it has the trd filter. If its not there then probably just regular filter.

 

They did. Checked the air filter - no sticker. Pulled it out anyway, it's a Toyota OEM Denso Dry Filter. Bastards.

I do have the TRD Catback Exhaust and was wondering why they wouldn't match that with the TRD air filter. I LOVE the Catback.

How much difference does the TRD air filter make in performance & growl?

 

What is the general consensus on AFE dry air filters? I ran one in my Fit for 100K miles, did not notice anything bad -- or particularly good either, except I didn't have to buy filters. Hosed it out every 20K or so, that was it.