I'm thinking of replacing the stock oil filer, with a K&N reusable filer. Is it ok to do so ? Is there any warrity problem ? Also the air flow throught it is greater, could this be of any problem? Has any-one put one in and seen any problems ?
I have heard rumblings of this before, but being no great fan of K&N had never bothered to look up any details, but your post prompted me to find the following letter posted on the official K&N Web site (see it here: http://www.knfilters.com/warrantyletter.htm) Anyway, I find the letter to be a bit misleading. While K&N are correct in saying that manufactuers cannot force you to use only their filter, I think they CAN determine that a specific aftermarket part DOES NOT meet minimal requirements and they can thus void your warranty....Whether KN filters meet OEM requirements or not, I don't know...I suppose K&N thinks so. Whether TOY does or not, I have no idea.
Some confusion may exist here. K&Ns primary products are engine air filters, which are oiled initially and after each cleaning. They may also make engine oil filters, I do not know. A few Prius use the air filter with no known reports of improved (or reduced) performance, mpg etc. The saving s is in the long term of not replacing throwaway filters. The risk, if there is one, relates to allowing dirt particles to enter the engine. I suggest athat anyone using K&N engine air filters also keep track of (many aspects of) engine health by obtaining used oil analyses of the engine oil. DAS
