How often do you clean your K&N filter?

2000 GMC · January 26, 2003

I just cleaned my K&N air filter. This is the second time since I installed my FIPK back in April of 02. I was just wondering when you guys that own them clean them? Do you go by mileage or by months?

TROYROBO · January 26, 2003

i go by the rule of thumb------if it looks like it willnot let any air thru it at all-------then clean------remember--k and n filters still flow more air when they are totally dirty than a new paper filter will right out of the box----- :thumb:

SilveradoWV · January 26, 2003

When I had my ZR2 Blazer I cleaned it about every 8-10K, but now that I have my Silverado I am thinking I will only clean it every 20,000 miles or so. I have 12,000 on it right now and plan on checking it sometime this spring. This is a good time to ask my question about that gauge on the filter box, does anyone go by that or will it just NEVER move?

BellevueSilvy · January 27, 2003

Well I have had mine in now for almost 23,000 I am probably doing th stupid thing and using that dumb guage on the air filter box to tell me when it is dirty.

Threejaws · January 27, 2003

Depends on alot of where you drive, if you drive in dusty conditions, you might want to clean it more often.Lifted 2003, 2500HD

clk7711 · January 27, 2003

I've only seen about 1 or 2 of those air restriction gauges ever work. I work in a shop that does maintence on about 75 pickups and have seen powerstrokes come in with the filter completly clogged and that junky gauge still in the green.

TarheelZ · January 27, 2003

I don't know if this is true or not, but I have read that the K&N filters actually do a better job of trapping dirt if you do not clean them too often...not sure how this affects air flow though. I think they recommend cleaning at 50k under normal usage, but I usually do mine when it's showing a LOT of 'dirt'.

Hope this helps! :thumb:

MarkD · January 27, 2003

Every other oil change. (rotate it every oil change)

20024.8stpsde · January 28, 2003

I've only seen about 1 or 2 of those air restriction gauges ever work. I work in a shop that does maintence on about 75 pickups and have seen powerstrokes come in with the filter completly clogged and that junky gauge still in the green.

I'm a heavy equip. mechanic that also maintains 30+ Powerstrokes and I have seen the air filters so clogged they sucked in to the tube and the pop-up was still green. Those things are one step below an idiot light.