Do K&N Air Filters Really Last That Long?

Ever since K&N came onto the automotive accessories scene 30 years ago, they've been the most trusted name in performance air filtration for one reason: they last. Just how long do they last? The answer will surprise you (and save you a ton of money on disposable air filters).

Regularly changing your air filter is important to keep your engine performing at its peak. When air is restricted, your engine can fail, leading to problems that include overheating and even a cracked block. The life of a standard air filter depends largely on how much crud it collects. Believe it or not, a slightly dirty air filter actually cleans more efficiently than one that's brand new. That's because the debris trapped in the air filter screens out smaller particles. Eventually though, every filter reaches the saturation point, causing a noticeable pressure drop that restricts airflow. As a result, fuel economy, performance and emissions erode and continue to suffer until the dirty filter is replaced.

This is where K&N far surpasses the competition. Their air filters are reusable! In general, the average disposable air filter will last between 20,000 - 30,000 miles on a vehicle that sees run-of-the-mill city driving. This rating diminishes when your driving conditions include areas with poor air quality (we're looking at you, Los Angeles). Airborne contaminates ranging from smoke and smog to dust and even pollen can clog an air filter and drastically reduce its lifespan to only a month or two. But with a K&N filter, all you have to do is rinse it out. The washable and reusable pleated and oiled cotton gauze filtration medium is good for a staggering 50,000 miles between cleanings and lasts for the life of your vehicle.

The secret to the K&N filter is the filter medium. It's constructed from four to six sheets of pleated and oiled cotton-gauze, layered between two sheets of aluminum wire mesh. This proven design catches dirt, dust and other harmful particles like no other filter on the market while allowing clean, power-enhancing air to flow freely to your engine. Backed by a 10-year, 1,000,000-mile warranty and designed specifically to your make, model and year, a K&N air filter delivers practically unrestricted air flow, producing gains in horsepower while allowing your engine to run cleaner and with greater fuel efficiency. In addition, they're legal in all 50 states and will not void your vehicle warranty.

Last but not least is the added benefit to the environment. Their reusable quality makes K&N air filters environmentally-friendly. Whether they're used as a car air filter or truck air filter, they greatly reduce the number of disposable air filters that would normally have been used over the life of your vehicle, eventually ending up as trash in a landfill.