K&N Filters

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by 1stToyota

Unless the myths are based in fact; some certainly have to be. For example: customer with Avalon pulls in with engine performance issue and MIL on, checked code and data stream, needed at least 80% calculated engine load @ WOT, was way below that spec, MAF heated wires and temp probe were gunked up with sludged, cleaned MAF meter and installed WIX filter, cleared code and let customer test drive his car. He couldn't believe the new throttle response and wanted to know what I did...told him I removed his K&N filter that he said was just installed, and they come pre-oiled so if it was over-oiled it was done so at the factory; nothing else could have put that kind of oil build-up in the MAF meter so quickly, other than the non-paper element that was upstream a few inches.

My view on oiled filters, for a stock Yaris like mine, is it'll save many when you're able to re-use it, but it's sure not worth it if you're thinking it'll give you big savings at the pump and will give you power that can be felt.

...and I'm sure the dealers have no problems charging customers for a computer analysis, cleaning, and sometimes even replacing MAF meters; pretty sure they stock and sell them all the time.

Why would people think they will get "big savings" at the pump? K&N does not make a claim on MPG increase on the drop-in filters. Here is a quote from the K&N paper work that came with my filters and can also be found on their web site:

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy testing and mileage claims are a tricky business. Just ask the EPA, whose website states, “EPA’s fuel economy estimates are designed to allow consumers to comparison shop. Your fuel economy will almost certainly vary from EPA’s fuel economy rating. This is based on a number of factors, such as weather, road conditions, your driving and maintenance habits, and your use of air conditioning.” A lot of exaggerated claims are made in the marketplace by products claiming to improve gas mileage. K&N makes no general fuel economy claims, however we encourage you to try our air filter for yourself. Keeping air filter restriction as low as possible can be an important tool, among others, for maintaining high mileage.

Also you said that K&N filters are suppose to give you "power that can be felt," but K&N states, "Our automotive OE (original equipment) replacement air filters generally add 1-4 horsepower." So I wouldn't call 1 HP something you can "feel."

By the way, how old was the Avalon and how many miles did it have?

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by b_hickman11

Why would people think they will get "big savings" at the pump? K&N does not make a claim on MPG increase on the drop-in filters. Here is a quote from the K&N paper work that came with my filters and can also be found on their web site:

Fuel Economy
Fuel economy testing and mileage claims are a tricky business. Just ask the EPA, whose website states, “EPA’s fuel economy estimates are designed to allow consumers to comparison shop. Your fuel economy will almost certainly vary from EPA’s fuel economy rating. This is based on a number of factors, such as weather, road conditions, your driving and maintenance habits, and your use of air conditioning.” A lot of exaggerated claims are made in the marketplace by products claiming to improve gas mileage. K&N makes no general fuel economy claims, however we encourage you to try our air filter for yourself. Keeping air filter restriction as low as possible can be an important tool, among others, for maintaining high mileage.

Also you said that K&N filters are suppose to give you "power that can be felt," but K&N states, "Our automotive OE (original equipment) replacement air filters generally add 1-4 horsepower." So I wouldn't call 1 HP something you can "feel."

By the way, how old was the Avalon and how many miles did it have?

Yes, I've never seen any Yaris owner post about thinking of getting a K&N filter, or just installing one, and asking what kind of savings will they see and how much of a HP gain is it worth ...and never read it here, even on this thread?, where a Yaris owner wrote that they can feel a difference after installing a K&N filter... I don't know why THEY think they can feel the power and expect to see a good savings at the gas pump ...like I stated before, they're a nice sound mod, and you can re-use them :)

Don't remember exactly on the Avalon, sure wasn't a beater; fairly late model (I do rembember that it was OBDII) and appeared to be very well taken care of. Main thing about the Avalon was that the MIL was on, couldn't get above about 55% calculated engine load @ WOT on the datastream, and had fresh oil buildup on the sensor, not the typical gray/tan dry ash coating that I come across.

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by 1stToyota

Yes, I've never seen any Yaris owner post about thinking of getting a K&N filter, or just installing one, and asking what kind of savings will they see and how much of a HP gain is it worth ...and never read it here, even on this thread?, where a Yaris owner wrote that they can feel a difference after installing a K&N filter... I don't know why THEY think they can feel the power and expect to see a good savings at the gas pump ...like I stated before, they're a nice sound mod, and you can re-use them :)

Don't remember exactly on the Avalon, sure wasn't a beater; fairly late model (I do rembember that it was OBDII) and appeared to be very well taken care of. Main thing about the Avalon was that the MIL was on, couldn't get above about 55% calculated engine load @ WOT on the datastream, and had fresh oil buildup on the sensor, not the typical gray/tan dry ash coating that I come across.

Don't remember exactly?? Thats not good for your argument. It could have had 200,000 miles on it and he had just got a brand new K&N filter and we blame ALL on the filter and nothing else? It could have been used as a pace car for NASCAR or on some dirt track...or maybe it could have been used as a Cab or a rent car. But I guess it doesn't matter since All evidence points to the K&N

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by b_hickman11

Don't remember exactly?? Thats not good for your argument. It could have had 200,000 miles on it and he had just got a brand new K&N filter and we blame ALL on the filter and nothing else? It could have been used as a pace car for NASCAR or on some dirt track...or maybe it could have been used as a Cab or a rent car. But I guess it doesn't matter since All evidence points to the K&N

Nice selective reading. :) That sure was desperate reaching. Wow!

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by 1stToyota

Nice selective reading. :) That sure was desperate reaching. Wow!

Well someone had to reach since you tried to make a claim and didn't have ANY information to back it up......

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by b_hickman11

Well someone had to reach since you tried to make a claim and didn't have ANY information to back it up......

Yeah, let's see who's doing the reaching w/o any info to back it up


Me:

1stToyota
For example: customer with Avalon pulls in with engine performance issue and MIL on, checked code and data stream, needed at least 80% calculated engine load @ WOT, was way below that spec, MAF heated wires and temp probe were gunked up with sludged, cleaned MAF meter and installed WIX filter, cleared code and let customer test drive his car. He couldn't believe the new throttle response and wanted to know what I did...told him I removed his K&N filter that he said was just installed, and they come pre-oiled so if it was over-oiled it was done so at the factory; nothing else could have put that kind of oil build-up in the MAF meter so quickly, other than the non-paper element that was upstream a few inches.

I believed the customer because he was about 70 years old, driving an Avalon, believing the salesman that pushed the K&N filter on him because it'd get him about "10 to 20 percent improvement in fuel economy" ...and I've also seen lots of vehicles with blow-by and PCV problems during the last 26 years, this Avalon showed only signs of fresh, clean sludge build-up on the heated wires, no dirty engine oil anywhere in the air intake.

Don't remember exactly on the Avalon, sure wasn't a beater; fairly late model (I do rembember that it was OBDII) and appeared to be very well taken care of. Main thing about the Avalon was that the MIL was on, couldn't get above about 55% calculated engine load @ WOT on the datastream, and had fresh oil buildup on the sensor, not the typical gray/tan dry ash coating that I come across.

You:

B Hickman11
It could have had 200,000 miles on it and he had just got a brand new K&N filter and we blame ALL on the filter and nothing else? It could have been used as a pace car for NASCAR or on some dirt track...or maybe it could have been used as a Cab or a rent car. But I guess it doesn't matter since All evidence points to the K&N

[b_hickman11]

Originally Posted by 1stToyota

Yeah, let's see who's doing the reaching w/o any info to back it up


Me:



You:

I already said I was the one having to reach since you didn't tell us any information on the car. It have been a 2009 model with 100 miles on it or it could have been a 2000 model with 500,000 miles on it. If it was an older car with more miles on it then there would be a lot more reason why his car was in that condition. If it was a new car with a K&N then your claim might have some backbone to it but since you can't remember, then your claim is useless.