Will K&N filters really damage your MAF sensor???
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
E500, SL500
Will K&N filters really damage your MAF sensor???
QUESTION: "K&N filters will damage your MAF sensor"
(This is what K&N quoted)
ANSWER: "This information given is untrue. Air filters are not rated in micron size. They are rates according to SAE standardized test ISO5011. This includes factory filters. The K&N air filter is capable of flowing 30% more air then factory while having a filter efficiency rating higher and capacity rating higher. There has been no proof that the oil comes off the filters. Most filters have less then 1.5 ounces. This is a myth that gains support via the internet and not one automotive manufacture has been able to substantiate any such claim."
"While we have heard people say such things, we have yet to have one dealer, manufacturer or engineer from a manufacture offer any information or evidence to support such claims. We are currently working on a lot of information for our customers to be posted to our website. This will give our customers more information to go back to the dealer with to help educate the dealer on K&N filters and our stance that they do not hurt the MAF sensor. We have this link http://www.knfilters.com/massair.htm now current."
"Pure in simple, in my opinion many on the internet try to post in which a way that it makes them look very knowledgeable for their own ego reasons. K&N is in the process of updating it’s website to reflect these rumors and challenge anybody to prove such claims with scientific data. We have taken MAF sensors purported to be contaminated with the oil and had them sent to independent laboratories to be examined by mass spectrometers and not one has shown any K&N oil on it."
"Food-for-thought"
(This is what K&N quoted)
ANSWER: "This information given is untrue. Air filters are not rated in micron size. They are rates according to SAE standardized test ISO5011. This includes factory filters. The K&N air filter is capable of flowing 30% more air then factory while having a filter efficiency rating higher and capacity rating higher. There has been no proof that the oil comes off the filters. Most filters have less then 1.5 ounces. This is a myth that gains support via the internet and not one automotive manufacture has been able to substantiate any such claim."
"While we have heard people say such things, we have yet to have one dealer, manufacturer or engineer from a manufacture offer any information or evidence to support such claims. We are currently working on a lot of information for our customers to be posted to our website. This will give our customers more information to go back to the dealer with to help educate the dealer on K&N filters and our stance that they do not hurt the MAF sensor. We have this link http://www.knfilters.com/massair.htm now current."
"Pure in simple, in my opinion many on the internet try to post in which a way that it makes them look very knowledgeable for their own ego reasons. K&N is in the process of updating it’s website to reflect these rumors and challenge anybody to prove such claims with scientific data. We have taken MAF sensors purported to be contaminated with the oil and had them sent to independent laboratories to be examined by mass spectrometers and not one has shown any K&N oil on it."
"Food-for-thought"
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Firstly - you might not want to post private e-mail conversations out here. Secondly, to answer your question - don't over oil them like it says on the instructions. I've never had a problem with K&N filters even on charging and recharging (and reinstalling) on customer cars - not even on my own.
flip
flip
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 647
Likes: 0
From: Copenhagen, Denmark, Europe
2011 E-class coupe, 2012 C-class
I have the K&N filter along with the Kleemann powerchip on my E220 CDI, together they give 195HP (standard 150HP). Have had it for over a year now and it works great 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 4
first off "Green" filters are even worse for your car b/c they have half the filtration capability and they too use oil. people make such a big deal of it, cleaning your MAF is SOOO simple and cheap. you just do the 91% isopropyl alcohol method. Its funny to see so many stupid benz owners buying new MAFs b/c of K&N filters, haha. cracks me up every time
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
Likes: 12
Originally Posted by OmeyHomey
first off "Green" filters are even worse for your car b/c they have half the filtration capability and they too use oil. people make such a big deal of it, cleaning your MAF is SOOO simple and cheap. you just do the 91% isopropyl alcohol method. Its funny to see so many stupid benz owners buying new MAFs b/c of K&N filters, haha. cracks me up every time
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
Likes: 12
How much is a MAF?
How much is your time worth?
Why clean your MAF yourself if it's dirty, get Mercedes to replace it under warranty. If you're using stock filters the MAF shouldn't get dirty anyways unless you didn't replace the filters (or your dealer didn't, I'm not sure if that's part of the maint. program, I have a BMW).
How much is your time worth?
Why clean your MAF yourself if it's dirty, get Mercedes to replace it under warranty. If you're using stock filters the MAF shouldn't get dirty anyways unless you didn't replace the filters (or your dealer didn't, I'm not sure if that's part of the maint. program, I have a BMW).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,319
Likes: 1
From: OC
AMG E55, Stage 1, Strait Pipe from Primary Cats
Originally Posted by JP@CarLAB
Firstly - you might not want to post private e-mail conversations out here. Secondly, to answer your question - don't over oil them like it says on the instructions. I've never had a problem with K&N filters even on charging and recharging (and reinstalling) on customer cars - not even on my own.
flip
flip
I have not had a problem either.
ON PROBATION
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,024
Likes: 0
I use K&N filters on a number of cars - and have done so for YEARS. I have NEVER had a problem...of course I don't over-oil them....
I am going to ask the folks at AMG in Affalterbach, personally, about this issue (and the OEM filter fitment); and I will report back here directly on what THEY say.
I am going to ask the folks at AMG in Affalterbach, personally, about this issue (and the OEM filter fitment); and I will report back here directly on what THEY say.
