What Car Air Filters Do

Most people don't give their car air filter much thought. However, your car's air filter makes a noticeable difference in how well the engine performs. If you live in a dusty or sandy region, you may need to change your air filter every time you change the oil to avoid the engine becoming clogged with dirt and debris. Many backyard mechanics who don't live in dusty or sandy areas change the air filters with every other oil change. If you don't change your air filter, you could end up reducing your gas mileage and horsepower because a dirty air filter restricts the flow of air to the engine, making it work harder and use more gas.

How the K&N Filter is Different

Unlike most air filters, which are made from pleated paper and thrown away after one use, K&N air filters are made from sheets of cotton gauze between sheets of aluminum mesh. The filtering material is pleated and oiled, giving superior performance. K&N air filters are not disposable and can be washed and reused for the lifetime of your car. These filters can go up to 50,000 miles between cleanings and are emission legal in every state. Furthermore, K&N air filters won't void your car's warranty. Though they cost a bit more up front, these filters are made to last as long as your car, and the bottom line is that they provide superior air filtration.

When You Want a Bigger Horsepower Boost

While a K&N air filter can give you a slight horsepower boost due to superior air filtration and better airflow to your car's engine, sometimes you want a bigger increase in horsepower. One popular way to increase horsepower is to add an air intake system to your car. An air intake system replaces the factory airflow, including the air box, air path, and filter. More than 200,000 K&N aftermarket air intake systems are sold every year, helping car enthusiasts get maximum performance from their vehicle.

How Intake Systems Work

Aftermarket intake systems allow more air to enter your car's engine and are the single most important thing you can do to increase horsepower. With improved air flow, the engine receives more oxygen for combustion. The intake systems that come standard on most cars have twists and turns and noise muffling chambers. Imagine trying to drink a glass of water with a skinny coffee stirring stick. That's what the factory intake system is like. Now imagine drinking a glass of water with a wide soda straw. That's analogous to an aftermarket air intake system. You can easily gain 5 to 10 horsepower by adding an intake system.

How a K&N Intake Improves Performance

A K&N intake does for intakes what K&N air filters do for the standard air filter system. They're aerodynamically designed for lower air intake temperature and quieter operation. And they can be installed in about 90 minutes. A K&N aftermarket intake can last up to 100,000 miles before needing service and is available for a variety of makes and models. K&N products are designed to promote great performance while saving money and being easier on the environment.