Latest News | Read Our Blog

7 Essential Tasks to Prepare Your Vehicle for Summer

04.06.2018

Before summer hits in full force, it’s critical to ensure your vehicle is ready for the extreme temperatures that the hotter months frequently bring. A few simple steps can help you avoid ending up on the side of the road with an overheated engine, a dead air conditioning system, or a flat tire. Check out our top tips for preparing your vehicle for summer!

Graphic featuring a vehicle with major inspection points highlighted

A quick pre-summer vehicle inspection can help avoid problems

CHECK YOUR COOLING SYSTEM

Overheating on the open road in the middle of summer isn’t just inconvenient—it can actually cause permanent engine damage. Take a good look under the hood (after the engine has fully cooled, which can take a few hours) and examine your radiator and hoses—any cracks or leaks should be repaired, and all connections should be snug. Shiny areas on belts and hoses are a sign of serious wear, and are often the result of extreme heat damage. While you’re at it, make sure to fill your coolant reservoir to the recommended level (a 50/50 mixture of coolant and distilled water is standard). Manufacturers generally advise that coolant be completely flushed and replaced every two years. If you do need to add/drain some coolant, make sure to keep it out of reach of your furry friends—dogs particularly love the taste of coolant, and drinking even small amounts can be lethal.

EXAMINE YOUR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Check for worn or damaged belts in your air conditioning system. Your compressor is located near the front of the engine, and is powered by the main drive belt—if the belt is worn or cracking, it could fail (often at the most inopportune moment, like when the temperature is in the triple digits!). Also check your refrigerant levels. If you spot any problems, take the opportunity to visit your mechanic before serious issues arise.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR BRAKE PADS

K&N’s High-Flow™ Air Filter helps protect your engine from summer dust

Winter can be hard on brake pads—and if not checked properly in the spring, the high temperatures of summer can cause serious brake pad degradation. When looking between your wheel’s spokes, you should be able to see at least one-fourth of an inch of pad—any thinner than that, and you should have them inspected and possibly replaced. If you hear a high-pitched screech when braking, it’s a clear indicator that your pads need to be checked.

SWAP FOR SUMMER TIRES

An often-overlooked component of safe summer driving, summer tires (often called performance tires) are built to maintain excellent grip on the road—even if the pavement is burning hot or soaking wet with rain. They typically feature shorter sidewalls, less prominent tread, and stiffer construction, allowing for less friction and better fuel economy. You will also likely enjoy enhanced cornering and braking. Remember to always check your tires for proper inflation, as high temperatures can cause pressure variations, sometimes resulting in blowouts. (This is also a good time to check the pressure in your spare tire, if you have one).

PLAN AHEAD FOR TOWING

If you plan on towing for your summer trips—whether it be a trailer, boat, or toy hauler—you definitely want to check to make sure that your planned load is under your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity, your trailer hitch is secure, and your lights are working properly. It’s much easier to check things out ahead of time—rather than trying to correct problems the morning of a big trip!

SWITCH OUT YOUR WINDSHIELD WIPERS

There’s nothing like an unexpected thunderstorm in the middle of a sweltering summer—especially if your windshield wipers have turned into ineffectual, screechy sticks in the heat. Take a few minutes to ensure that your wipers still have good grip, and replace them if necessary.

CHANGE YOUR ENGINE/CABIN AIR FILTERS

K&N Washable Cabin Filters can help filter summer dust and allergens

After a couple of months of minimal rainfall, the dust starts to rise—and your filters will often clog much more quickly than in the winter months. A clogged filter decreases airflow to your engine and can dramatically reduce performance. If your air filter needs to be replaced, check out K&N’s High-Flow™ Air Filters—since they’re washable and reusable, you can easily clean and reinstall them, especially if your summer adventures take you into particularly dusty areas. If you have a cabin air filter, check out K&N’s washable line, which helps protect your cabin and passengers from airborne dust and contaminants—the filters are washable and reusable just like the famous K&N engine air filters. To search for filters that fit your specific vehicle, check out www.knfilters.com.

With a little forethought, your vehicle can be just as reliable during the extremely hot summer months as it is during the rest of the year—and you can enjoy peace of mind on your vacations and day-trips!

K&N®-Sponsored MotoAmerica Superbike Racer Kyle Wyman Primed for Podiums in 2018

31.05.2018

Kyle Wyman has no shortage of determination. After a difficult end to the 2017 season, Wyman—of Kyle Wyman Racing—is already showing strong performance in the MotoAmerica Superbike racing series this year.

Kyle Wyman on his Yamaha YZF-R1

Wyman became a motorsports enthusiast at the early age of five—tearing up his parents’ backyard on a tiny Yamaha PW50. At only nine, he entered his first flat track race, and a passion for racing and competition was born. In 2004, he won the CMC Open Amateur Championship, which he followed up by winning the Ohio State Championship in the 505 Expert and Open Expert classes the following year. In 2006 (at only sixteen years old), he went pro in flat track—and finished 3rd overall in the Pro Sport National Championship. He continued his flat track racing career until 2009, when he received his Pro Road Racing License and began competing in the AMA Pro Supersport division.

In 2011, Wyman had his first professional win at the Daytona International Speedway, and went on to finish fifth overall in the Harley-Davidson Series Championship. In 2012, he founded Kyle Wyman Racing (KWR) and became the youngest championship-winning team owner with rider Michael Barnes. Following multiple podium and top-five finishes in the Daytona Sportbike Series and the Harley Davidson Series, Wyman moved up to the Superbike category in 2016, and proved himself a dedicated competitor with ten top-five finishes in his rookie year.

Wyman during a recent interview

Wyman is no stranger to the dangers of the track. In September of 2017, he survived a 150-mph crash caused by total brake failure during a practice run for the MotoAmerica Superbike season finale at Barber Motorsports Park. Luckily, the track was equipped with inflatable air fencing—a protective measure intended to shield riders from the concrete and steel walls surrounding the track. He walked away from the crash, but suffered a fracture in one of the vertebrae in his back.

The crash came at an inopportune moment—just after Wyman had achieved his first career Superbike podium finish at New Jersey Motorsports Park, and was feeling confident about his potential performance in the finale. After recovery during the off-season, he’s looking optimistically at the rest of the 2018. “I feel 100%. That’s in the past. I’m going for number one this year,” he commented.

Wyman isn’t leaving anything to chance, and is keeping all of his equipment in prime condition. He uses a High-Flow™ Air Filter (model YA-1015R) on his Yamaha YZF-R1 Superbike to help ensure excellent performance on the track. (The street version of the same filter is available for customers under part number YA-1015).

Kyle Wyman competing on his Yamaha YZF-R1

“For this year, K&N made a new air filter for the Yamaha R1—they took what was more of a flat filter and coned it out so there’s more surface area—and it’s giving us way better airflow,” Wyman observed. “Having a K&N filter in the bike is not only going to increase horsepower, but it’s going to give us a more consistent pickup of the initial throttle, so when the fueling is trying to adjust to all of these different things that are happening like ambient air temperature—the K&N filter has such consistent airflow that it gives us one less variable that we have to worry about during a race weekend.”

Wyman is currently ranked sixth overall following the Championship of Virginia at Virginia International Raceway in Danville, VA on May 6.

You can see Wyman compete on June 3, 2018 at the Dunlop Championship at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI.

K&N® Introduces 69-8009TWR Air Intake System for 2018 Subaru WRX STI 2.5L

25.05.2018

Designed to be compatible with 2018 Subaru WRX STI 2.5L models, the K&N® 69-8009TWR Air Intake System offers a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque for WRX owners.

2018 Subaru WRX STI in World Rally Blue, courtesy of Subaru of America

The WRX is a rally-car inspired vehicle, known for precise handling in an all-weather package. The 2018 Subaru WRX STI is a solid mixture of performance and daily-driver capability—full of conveniences and safety features including lane departure warning, automatic emergency breaking, and blind-spot monitoring—while also delivering a substantial 305-horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

The standard 2.5-liter engine offers quite a bit of power—but for those looking for an extra boost in horsepower, the K&N® 69-8009TWR Air Intake System can reduce unnecessary air turbulence that may slow the volume of airflow reaching the engine.

The 69-8009TWR complete with powder-coated intake tube

The K&N® 69-8009TWR air intake system is a free-flowing, mandrel-bent aluminum tube air induction system (powder-coated in red) designed to replace the factory air filter and air intake components. K&N® powder-coated aluminum intake tubes are meticulously designed to be aerodynamic, and when paired with the included High-Flow Air Filter™ can provide dramatic increases in airflow. The oversized conical air filter allows for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings under normal highway driving conditions, and is washable, durable, and reusable. The filter is placed in the front wheel well opening to allow for as much fresh air as possible and protect the filter from high engine temperatures. When your filter is due for a cleaning, the K&N Recharger® Kit (99-5000) contains everything you’ll need to quickly and easily wash away contaminants and restore your filter’s performance.

The 69-8009TWR system also features a custom powder-coated aluminum heat shield, protecting the air filter and intake air from the high temperatures radiating from the engine. The heat shield installs onto the lower factory air box, retaining the fresh air inlet. The air intake tube funnels airflow directly into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque.

The 69-8009TWR after installation

Installation of your new air intake system can typically be completed in 90 minutes or less, as the kit utilizes existing factory mounting points, incorporates the factory mass air sensor, and requires only basic hand tools. Since the cold air intake system allows for the removal of unnecessary stock air intake components, your engine bay will be left with a cleaner appearance after installation.

The results are verifiable and impressive—on a chassis dynamometer, a 2018 Subaru WRX STI 2.5L with the stock air intake was recorded at 248.0-hp at 5,999rpm, and after installation of the 69-8009TWR the same vehicle was recorded at 273.2-hp at 5,999rpm—an estimated increase of 25.2-hp. The torque was also improved from 172.5 lb-ft on the stock air intake to 182.9 lb-ft with the 69-8009TWR —a total estimated increase in torque of 11.4 lb-ft at 2,907rpm. You can buy with confidence under the 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty—and the knowledge that you’re guaranteed an increase in horsepower and torque.

The 69-8009TWR is designed for use in the following vehicles:

2018 Subaru WRX STI 2.5L H4 Fuel Injection: All Models

FAQs

• Will using a K&N® replacement air intake system void my factory warranty?

No. In the United States, in order for the manufacturer of a warranted product to void or deny warranty coverage of a repair due to the use of an aftermarket part, the manufacturer must provide proof that the aftermarket part is the cause of the necessary repair. These rights are protected under the Consumer Products Warranty Act of 1975 (also referred to as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act).

• Are K&N® performance air intake systems or RK-series custom air cleaner assemblies emissions legal in the U.S.?

Performance intake systems are legal for street use in most areas of the United States.

In California, and in specific regions which have adopted California air quality regulations, only CARB-exempt performance intakes are legal for street use.

Check the K&N catalog or website for vehicle applications and specific CARB status for each vehicle and air intake.

• Can a K&N® product cause my Check Engine Light or Service Light to come on?

It is possible that the Check Engine Light may come on after installing a K&N air filter or performance intake system. This does not necessarily mean that there is something wrong with your air filter or intake; sometimes, the higher air flow and lower restriction provided by the K&N product will uncover an existing mechanical or electronic issue with your vehicle. In rare cases, you may have a K&N product which was manufactured outside of its design tolerances, causing sensors in your vehicle to read data outside of their normal expected values. In either case, the K&N Warranty Department can work with you to narrow down the cause of the Check Engine Light and correct the issue.

• How much horsepower does a K&N® cold air intake add?

Dynamometer tests indicating horsepower and torque increases over the OEM intake system will appear on the "Product Details" page for each of our performance intake systems.

• What does a cold air intake do for a car?

Cold air intakes allow for increased airflow to your engine, which results in an increase in torque and acceleration for your vehicle.

• Can cold air intakes improve gas mileage?

In theory, a cold air intake could increase the gas mileage of your vehicle due to improved airflow which allows the engine to run more efficiently and require less fuel. However, K&N does not make any guarantees in terms of increased gas mileage with the use of our filters or intakes.

*Some intake systems are not legal for sale or use on any pollution controlled motor vehicle in California or states adopting California emission procedures. See knfilters.com for CARB status on each part for a specific vehicle.

K&N® Introduces 57-1571 Air Intake System for 2015-2016 RAM 1500 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel

18.05.2018

Engineered for compatibility with 2015-2016 RAM 1500 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel models, the K&N® 57-1571 Air Intake System offers a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque for power-seeking RAM aficionados.

The 2015 RAM 1500 V6 3.0L EcoDiesel

The 2016 RAM 1500 offers a standard 3.0L V6 engine which provides 395 horsepower and a significant 410 lb-ft of torque, along with a 9,200-pound towing capacity. Even more impressive are the EPA-estimates for fuel economy—the FWD models can achieve up to 29 mpg on the highway.

The standard 3.0L V6 engine provides a respectable amount of power, but the stock air intake system that may cause unnecessary air turbulence and slow the volume of airflow reaching the engine.

The 2015 RAM 1500 V6 3.0L EcoDiesel

The K&N® 57-1571 air intake system is a free-flowing, high-density polyethylene tube cold air intake system engineered to replace the factory air filter and air intake components. K&N® roto-molded HDPE intake tubes are meticulously designed to be aerodynamic, and when paired with the included High-Flow Air Filter™ can increase airflow to your engine by up to 50%. The oversized conical air filter allows for up to 100,000 miles between cleanings under normal highway driving conditions, and is washable, durable, and reusable. When your filter is due for a cleaning, the K&N Recharger® Kit (99-5000) contains everything you’ll need to quickly and easily wash away contaminants and restore your filter’s performance.

The 57-1571 system also offers a black powder-coated aluminum heat shield, protecting the air filter and intake air from the high temperatures radiating from the engine. The heat shield installs onto the lower factory air box, retaining the fresh air inlet. The air intake tube funnels airflow directly into the engine’s throttle body for a guaranteed increase in horsepower and torque.

The 57-1571 Air Intake System

Installation of your new air intake system can typically be completed in 90 minutes or less, as the kit utilizes existing factory mounting points, incorporates the factory mass air sensor, and requires only basic hand tools. Since the intake system allows for the removal of unnecessary stock air intake components, your engine bay will be left with a cleaner appearance after installation.

The results are notable—on a chassis dynamometer, a 2015 RAM 1500 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel with the stock air intake was recorded at 187.89-hp at 3,300rpm, and after installation of the 57-1571 the same vehicle was recorded at 199.12-hp at 3,300rpm—an estimated increase of 11.22-hp. The torque was also improved from 300.00 lb-ft on the stock air intake to 315.34 lb-ft with the 57-1571—a total estimated increase in torque of 15.34 lb-ft at 3,300rpm. You can buy with confidence under the 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty—and the knowledge that you’re guaranteed an increase in horsepower and torque.

The 57-1571 Air Intake System after installation

The 57-1571 is designed for use in the following vehicles:

2015-2016 RAM 1500 3.0L V6 EcoDiesel Engine: All Models