Oh crud. There's a K&N air filter in my car.

[Ablinkin]

I never have been very happy with K&N filters. I had one on the Insight when I first purchased it, but after only a few months it started to have poor air flow. The "recharge" kit was about $10, but a new standard filter was about $15.

I went with the standard filter and I've never had to deal with the engine starving for air condition (low power etc) when it's replaced regularly.

The K&N's remind me of pool filters in a way. A new filter will typically last say two weeks or so. But certain cleaning solutions for the existing filter make similar claims that you'll never need to purchase a new filter. Well their product only lasted 3 days before I had to use it again. I went back to new filters pretty quickly.

[Cobb]

For the i2 it sounds better and by the seat of the pants you feel a slight bit more umph. I dont think any of us have seen any immediate mpg increase, however as one who has broken the 100 mpg mark in this car it is equipped with a kn thats never been serviced.

My supercharged tacoma would turn the red filter black within a few thousand miles, so I would reservice the filter, frequently. The insight I would need to check. I may go to a dry cone filter over the end of the snorkle for more surface area for flow as this one is limited looking.

[Aaron Cake]

But the cleaning kit is good for about 10 cleanings on a filter the size of the Insights. You may run out of the soap, but a mild detergent does the job. Over cleaning is one of the things K&N warns against. It's unnecessary and a filter with a little bit of dirt in it actually does better than a filter that is perfectly clean. I forget what the cleaning interval is but it's something like 20K under normal operating conditions. I just do mine every 3 oil changes.

[theaveng]

Originally Posted by scootr06

I’ve come to consider our Moderators and Sr. Members to be the Top-Guns of the G1 knowledge banks. I find that belief diminished when I read someone railing….“Why on earth would the previous owner put that junk in there? K&N filters have been shown in study-after-study to let more dirt into the engine vs. the standard filter.” I would have thought someone with an axe to grind to this extent would contact the manufacture to vent, not on our forums?

Take a chill pill. I don't censor my opinions just because someone does not like them...... furthermore the opinion was backed-up by filter testing which shows K&N ranks dead last among other filter products (because it lets through more dirt). Perhaps you don't like that study's conclusion but the people of this forum have the right to see ALL the information. I will not be silenced by tyrants or critics desiring to take-away the right of free press (to distribute information to the people).

[scootr06]

I'm chilled, and let the presses roll.

[Willie Williford]

I believe it is based on the number of posts.
I'm 72 YO so I get an extra coupon?

Willie

[Eithieus]

Next to get up on the soap box... dont push! Make way...step aside...You there - no cutting! Clear a path! *Sound of drum beats in the back ground * Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! (on and on)
As the crowd goes silent in anticipation for the next bout of wisdom to spout forth across the vast internet..
"And I think..."

All kidding aside, this thread sounds like a bunch of women arguing over which lipstick brand is best. It's an air filter. Change it at the recommended time. Don't change it at the recommended time. It aint rocket science, boys. For you wise crackers out there who say it's going to take my engine out... That will become my parts car. *winks at the crowd* You know as well as I know - change the oil as required. Replace the filter or clean it as recommended. Good to go for 200,000 at least, right guys? Who we kidding here? Potato / Potatoe... Tomato / Tomatoe... it's an oil filter! We are not talking batteries that will extend the life of the car... It's and oil filter! Kill this thread! *points down into the crowd at the guy who started this thread* You there! Price of your filter is TOO HIGH! *shakes finger* Shame on you!
Anyways...couldn't help it. This thread was killing me. Its just a filter. Just a filter. *Puts his hand up in a waving gesture to the crowd and starts laughing* Happy New Year. Take care of your cars. They are awesome! *quietly steps off the soap box to leave space for the next voice...*

[theaveng]

I would agree if this was "just a car" that I toss-away like any other dead appliance, but the Insight is a one-of-a-kind item. As I mentioned in another thread, I doubt we'll ever see another gasoline-powered car that gets over 60mpg. I want it to last another 50 years by keeping out as much dirt as possible (and using the oil filter to remove any that sneaks in).

That's why I did the research to find the filters that did the best job of these tasks (AC Delco at # 1 and Mobil at #3). Oh and the best oil to handle the task of reducing internal metal-on-metal wear (M1 Extended Performance oil).

[Eithieus]

On and on and on and on they went *Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!*....
Just an air filter.... You're joking, right? As others have stated and so have you! On and on and on... Change the oil filter, don't change the oil filter... Your car will last. I wish this much thought and focus could be steered over onto the battery issue. That is what will keep our beloved Insight on the road. I hope that you have since changed your oil filter. From this day forth, I will be doing a test on the longevity of the K&N filter as I am committed to the end. So let it be written! My goal will be: Run the Insight in all weather conditions...oops well it snows here so I'll have switch to my truck then. I know her limitations. Other than that, I will be on the road... day / night ... I hereby announce my "official" K&N Filter Test...any of you committed gen 1 Insight faithfuls that plan on keeping their Insight for 50 years like the thread bearer can jump in and help me on this test by running the OEM filter. If any of you dare devils want to step forward and run a K&N filter...you dont have to publicly identify yourself...you can pm me with your stats. Together we will silence this thread once and for all...hopefully by the next 100,00 miles. Do I have your support? Are you with me? Place your bets!
It's just an air filter.

[AbCaRed00]

Particular to the first gen Insight, there's some information about the car's engine's air flow rate that suggests that the Insight is already doing a pretty good job as regards any pressure drop across the intake in stock condition, and this to me begs the question of there being any really significant improvements to be gained in engine air flow for our cars, especially considering the potential long term risk of having less effective filtration when using the K&N in our vehicles.