awesome to read about this. I'm curious as to who you might get to fit this or did you did it yourself already? I have a 2017 model so presume it will be the same model part. I have Kia do my servicing and I have a good relationship with the mechanic so I'll ask him if he would be adverse to fitting it next service. Please post your results as I'm really interested.

 

Changing the air filter is non technically involved, open the air box cover, turn the 2 locating nobs at the front, to release the air filter, pull it out. Locate the K&N filter in the air box, it will only go one way, with the small tab (this helps you to pull it out) at the front, close the air box cover.

Now in regards to warranty voiding, K&N maintain their filters will not void warranty and I believe they will take manufacturers to court to prove it. As they are a re usable filter, they have a "oil" based substance to assist in trapping the dirt and the common concern for some types of air filters, especially ones lying above a carburettor, is this substance getting into mechanical or electrical emission control parts of the car. This particular Kia model, there is no way that can happen as the exit for the air box, going to the turbo, is above the filter and well to the side of any other car components.

 

... and I know the fuel performance will be better, the question how much better, which I expect it will be. I shall update in due course those figures.

Will be fascinated to hear how a K&N has impacted your mileage vs. a clean standard filter. There's no reason that it should, since your Kia's air/fuel mix is going to be held by the ECU, but ...

OTOH, if you are able to quantify any HP improvements due to increased total charge to the combustion chambers, that would be of interest. Chassis dyno time isn't cheap, though.

 

$64,000 questions. Yes until the car is put on the servicing machine with the filter fitted, it will be working on the physical aspects of a normal filter. I am not sure how the ECU will react to the more volume of air that occurs with these filters but a good comparison will be reached. Yes a dyno test would be good. HP wise, it should be a bit better, it is the fuel benefits that have a better $$$$$ result. Not that the sorento is not to bad around town and the highway cycle is pretty good getting mid 6's to low 7's on the highway. Another improvement with this type of filter is the acceleration aspects. Now in normal mode, taking off at a roundabout takes some learning, as the Sorento is a little slow off the mark, sometimes if I see a busy roundabout, I will put it into sports mode, for a zippy take off.

 

Off the line, there's zero difference in behavior. So any perceived difference depends upon whether you're moving fast enough in the circle to reach the 1-2 shift point in either mode. If so, in sport mode, you'll stay in 1 longer and hit the 1-2 shift at higher revs, in which case it will certainly feel snappier. But until it makes a 1-2 shift, there won't be any difference. All a function of your max speed which will be dictated by radius of the circle, pavement, tires, and your right foot's willingness to participate!

 

The main issue with these types of filters (e.g. K&N) is that, although they do increase air flow, they also let more contaminants through compared to regular (e.g. OEM) air filters.

I used to have a K&N filter in my Jeep Grand Cherokee for many years. I ended up going back to a regular filter.


Richard

 

The trick is maintaining just exactly the right oil level in them. As filters, they can work very well down to small particulate size, but in an effort to get enough oil in the filter to accomplish that, too many owners overdo it, causing yet another set of problems.

There is nothing at all magic (or new) about the basic concept behind a K&N filter. Oil 'enhanced' filters were in use eons ago in production vehicle air systems. There are a lot of small engine vehicles (ATV, motorcycle, etc.) that still use them. Before the paper filter as we know it, oil bath filters were the norm.

There are only two ways to get 'more air' through a filter. You either increase the surface area of the filter, creating a bigger functional 'cross section', or you reduce density, usually by opening up the pores of the filter, allowing in more contaminants.

The issue with the K&N is that without the added oil, these pleated cotton filters do have larger pores and will allow more junk through. OTOH, excessive oiling does nothing good to the intake components as they get slowly slimed, and actually restricts air flow. That's why the right amount of oil is so critical to proper operation. So as performance improvements go, all any 3rd party filter can help with is cross section for air flow. It can't do it any other way, or you are correct, additional contaminants WILL find there way through if more air is being passed.

 

^^^ Very well explained. I no longer use them. They offer no performance advantage and are a PITA to service.