Opinions on K&N oil filters

Maintenance/Repairs
1

I have a 2012 Toyota Camry and am done with the free oil changes. Anyone have an opinion on K&N oil filter cartriges?

2

Hereā€™s we go, another oil filter threadā€¦

Iā€™d have no problem using any name brand filter, Iā€™d probably pay a bit more for a ā€˜premiumā€™ brand/model (for no good reason).

Is there anything unusual about the K&N oil filter?

3

Iā€™ve seen a couple of blogs where theyā€™ve cut filters open and examined the parts inside. K&N filters are on par with high quality filters, but others have the same quality for less, like PureOne and Fram Ultraguard.

4

I think the issue is not a conventional spin-on filter, but a cartridge insert instead. I have no experiences with these, by Iā€™d assume K&N is pretty much as good as anything else. I would trust it.

5

I wouldnā€™t become fixated on oil filter brands.

Oil filters today are by-pass type oil filters which means not all the oil passes thru the filter media.

This is done so the engine isnā€™t starved of oil under these conditions. The ambient temperature is so cold that the oil is too thick to pass thru the filter media when the engine is started cold. When the engine is running at high RPMā€™s and the oil is pumped at rate where it all canā€™t pass thru the filter media. And if the filter media become so dirty that it restricts the flow of oil thru the filter media.

I purchase whatever oil filter is on sale.

Tester

6

I use K&N Filters oil filters mainly because they come bundled with Pennzoil Platinum oil change specials that Advance Auto runs. Iā€™ve also accumulated some extras as I took advantage of a ā€œspend $100 get a $50 store creditā€ promotion they were running. Turns out the store credit has a lot of restrictions, so I ended up getting a few extra oil filters.

Anyway, K&N oil filters have always been highly regarded for quality but they arenā€™t the best value around if youā€™re buying them off the shelf without it being part of a package deal. I have spin on filters on all my vehicles so I canā€™t comment on the cartridge filter.

7

I donā€™t see any point in buying a K&N oil filter . . . whether cartridge or spin-on

If you want to be nice to your engine, use synthetic oil, a decent standard grade oil filter . . . toyota, wix, etc., . . . and change them every 5000 miles (3000 miles if you do severe service)

I simply canā€™t justify the price of the K&N oil filter

8

The cartridge oil filters are expensive at the local parts stores. Over $10 for the cheapest Fram,and even at Walmart but I can get the K&N ones for less than $6 by buying 2 at a time from Rock Auto including shipping.
I just wanted to know if anyone knew anything bad about them. I am not a filter snob, 3 of my first 5 cars didnā€™t even have one.

9

Based on that info, Iā€™d go for it. If K&N does anything well and with zeal it is filters.

When I went to look this up I came across the cleanable/reusable billet filters from K&N. Iā€™d never seen those. At $250 for one on my Escort, though, I think Iā€™ll pass.

10

You can buy OEM filters for $5 each when you but a case (10 filters). P/N 04152-YZZA1

https://trdparts4u.toyotaofdallas.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=-4627

Or you might inquire at your Toyota dealer, MSRP on this filter is only $5.41.

11

Or you might inquire at your Toyota dealer, MSRP on this filter is only $5.41

You forgot to include the ADPā€¦ :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

12

My Toyota dealer is 15 miles away and the K&N ones are delivered to my door. At my age I donā€™t buy anything but eggs in 10 or more :).

13

Supposing you donā€™t buy green bananas being an @oldtimer_11 (humor) Now I was always recommended to buy toyota oil filters, and I followed that advice, air filter no prob, but went with Toyota gas filter also, my choice.

1 Like
14

I am so old I can remember when they sold oil filter housings for you car that took a roll of toilet paper.

And Chrysler cars back then, that had an oil filter, recommended that you changer the filter every other oil change. Just like the 1995 John Deere 325 mower our church has.

15

I remember those toilet paper filter adapters. What a scam those were!

Re: K&N filters, Iā€™m not convinced that they protect the engine any better than any other brand name filter, including WalMart filters. Engines that donā€™t last the life of the vehicle do so not because they used a lesser filter, but for other reasons, often from not routinely changing the filter at all. But K&N does seem to have a better marketing division. Theyā€™ve created a ā€œbrandā€ for themselves in a market where differentiation of the product itself is almost impossible.