Calling all K&N owners

[2012AccentSE]

I installed a K&N drop in yesterday and wanted to know if any of you that have had either the drop in or the full intake have had any downsides to installing it. For example, loss in mpg, pinging, CEL's, extra dirt getting by the filter, etc. So far I have not noticed anything, but hope to get an extra mpg or two. Thanks!!

[John_Madison CT]

Originally Posted by 2012AccentSE

I installed a K&N drop in yesterday and wanted to know if any of you that have had either the drop in or the full intake have had any downsides to installing it. For example, loss in mpg, pinging, CEL's, extra dirt getting by the filter, etc. So far I have not noticed anything, but hope to get an extra mpg or two. Thanks!!

I'd be shocked if you got even 1mpg. If it was that simple to gain mileage or HP, that inexpensively, then all car manufacturers would do it.

[someguy]

I have been using k&n drop ins for years because they are good filters and save you money by not buying air filters. I have never really seen an improvement in mpg or hp but my Elantra seemed to run a little smoother after switching. Not sure if it was the k&n or simply just a new filter compared to a year old filter.

If you use a properly made intake with washable cone filter you may see a slight bump in performance on the low end. Performance mods often help mpg too.

[mmathison]

Used a drop in filter and have had it in pretty much since I owned the car from a little over a year ago. Have not seen and dramatic changes in fuel efficiency or power. Nice to know that one filter will last a lifetime as opposed to the $45 Hyundai would like to charge me for a replacement filter every 30,000 KMS

[cobraflem 6]

I have noticed a little more power in the higher end of power band, but nothing in fuel economy. In fact, I think with the "winter-blend" fuel I may be getting 1-2 mpg less than with paper. I would have to conduct a full-tank test for each filter to be sure though. I also check the filter box once a month to clean out larger debris and check around for any oil and everything seems fine. No oil anywhere.

[Shoes20]

Originally Posted by 2012AccentSE

I installed a K&N drop in yesterday and wanted to know if any of you that have had either the drop in or the full intake have had any downsides to installing it. For example, loss in mpg, pinging, CEL's, extra dirt getting by the filter, etc. So far I have not noticed anything, but hope to get an extra mpg or two. Thanks!!

I have one an I took a trip to Iowa the other day and got 44mpg and was curious on how so I pulled the stock filter out of the bin in the back of my trunk and drove home with it the origninal one and only averaged 38mpg similar conditions both overcast days. Car had full tank of gas both times and I did not drive while in iowa because I was visiting family. Only drove to the gas station to refill. Conclusion theres so many mix reviews I think its just personal preference.

[grandavegauser]

Originally Posted by 2012AccentSE

I installed a K&N drop in yesterday and wanted to know if any of you that have had either the drop in or the full intake have had any downsides to installing it. For example, loss in mpg, pinging, CEL's, extra dirt getting by the filter, etc. So far I have not noticed anything, but hope to get an extra mpg or two. Thanks!!

more hp..for fuel consumption it depends
that's what you get from k&n..
it's not significant,but you can feel the difference...

i've been using it since 6 months ago,and satisfied

[az2008]

Originally Posted by 2012AccentSE

extra dirt getting by the filter,

K&N originated as a racing filter where longevity of the engine was less concern than squeezing a couple more HP. Since they began selling to the consumer market, there's been a controversy over its filtration abilities.

Tests (such as this one by bob's the oil) show what intuition should tell you: you don't get something for nothing. I posted another study a few months ago. It was more scientific and concluded the same thing.

I think this is one of those things (like 10k oil changes) that might not produce noticeable negative consequences until you have 120k miles on the car.

Therefore, I don't doubt people who say "I've always... and never noticed a problem." Perhaps they trade every 4-7 years, not keeping the car into older age where the cumulative effect of ingesting more dirt (or running dirtier oil longer) would lead to failed rings, etc., sooner.

The "I've never noticed" is subjective because there is no control group to compare to. The only way to definitively know would be to tear down two engines after 20k miles and compare wear.

But, people who test filtration find K&N passes dirtier air. I think the question is whether you plan to own the car for 4-7 years, want higher performance, and let longevity be someone else's problem.

[az2008]

I found the other report I posted a few months ago.

[mrmr256]

AEM dry performance filters has a place holder on their website for the Veloster 1.6L GDI engine, but no product yet. Looks like they might develop one soon, and will definitely fit in our cars.

The only advantage I see over the K&N is no oil is needed. As for filtration, I'm not too familiar with AEM, which is now owned by K&N.

Another thing to consider for those online reports is that those "results" are from FRESH air filters.

Ask anyone and an air filter becomes more efficient at filtering as it accumulates more particles in the filter. The "good" filtering filters they post on those sites, which were new to begin with, actually means that at after so many miles, the filter will become more restricted than the other filters that performed "poorly" in initial testing.

I'd be interested in seeing a 50k conventional filter put against a K&N at 50K.