View Full Version : K&N Filters void warranty??


Blue_Chameleon
07-28-2006, 08:57 PM
Okay...I've been taking my car to this mechanic for about a year now and he's been pretty straight forward with a lot of things. Today, I took my Accord to have one of the major services done for maintenance and he told me that I have a K&N filter. I told him that I had placed it there to replace the worn out one.

He tells me that about a year ago, GM and Ford had told dealerships and mechanics out there to inform them if a customer of theirs has installed a K&N filter on their vehicles. Once they are notified, they keep track of it at GM or Ford's database indicating that they have a K&N filter. At that time, no matter how recent the car was purchased, GM and Ford will void the warranty of the vehicle.

He says that the filters are screwing everything up and letting too much dirt in.

I was going to place one in my RX8. Has anyone heard of this?

expo1
07-28-2006, 09:06 PM
K&N's View (http://www.knfilters.com/warrantyletter.htm)

kartweb
07-28-2006, 09:23 PM
It's all about filtering capacity as in micron size. The reason K&N filters breathe better is because they have larger "pores" as in take in larger sized particles measured in microns.

Anyone who's run a Gauze type filter for a while should have noticed - that without frequent service the intake begins to take on a grime that wasn't there with a paper filter.

It's probably not as bad on a rotory as it is a 4 stroke motor. That grime tends to find it's way in the oil, especially those who live in dusty dry climates where the dust is really fine.

Look at it this way; Do you really think cars would come with paper filters if the engineers felt they would last as long with a gauze filter?

Clavius
07-28-2006, 09:24 PM
I could see if it was a Cold Air Intake kit but if its just a normal filter then personaly I think its wrong. Unless Ford and GM start making their own filters what do they expect us to do? I am gonna read that K&N Take on things after I post this up...

MazdaTed
07-28-2006, 09:51 PM
It's probably not as bad on a rotory as it is a 4 stroke motor. That grime tends to find it's way in the oil, especially those who live in dusty dry climates where the dust is really fine.



I would think that poor filtration on a wankel would be much worse than a reciprocating engine. The wankel has more sealing surfaces than Reciprocating engines of the same size.

Just my opinion.

zoom44
07-28-2006, 10:06 PM
I could see if it was a Cold Air Intake kit but ..

then you clearly dont understand the law

google Magnusson Moss act

zoom44
07-28-2006, 10:11 PM
actually just read what the CEO of K&N wrote there. its a clear, precise and accurate explanation of the law. and it applies to aftermarket cold air intakes as well. and exhausts and wheels and lightbulbs and etc etc etc

Clavius
07-28-2006, 10:12 PM
then you clearly dont understand the law

google Magnusson Moss act


Damn you Zoom making me read.
I just meant in my post that most/some dealerships once they see a modified filter/intake they assume abuse (atleast that is what I tend to read here on the boards). And I saved the site I found to my favorites just for general info :)

AdRoCK3217
07-28-2006, 11:14 PM
It should be fine..putting it on the RX-8. With Mazda's warranty system, unless they can prove the aftermarket modification caused a problem, they cannot void the warranty.

tiggerlee
07-28-2006, 11:17 PM
Okay...I've been taking my car to this mechanic for about a year now and he's been pretty straight forward with a lot of things. Today, I took my Accord to have one of the major services done for maintenance and he told me that I have a K&N filter. I told him that I had placed it there to replace the worn out one.

He tells me that about a year ago, GM and Ford had told dealerships and mechanics out there to inform them if a customer of theirs has installed a K&N filter on their vehicles. Once they are notified, they keep track of it at GM or Ford's database indicating that they have a K&N filter. At that time, no matter how recent the car was purchased, GM and Ford will void the warranty of the vehicle.

He says that the filters are screwing everything up and letting too much dirt in.

I was going to place one in my RX8. Has anyone heard of this?


That's BS! http://www.websmileys.com/sm/mad/617.gif

DOMINION
07-28-2006, 11:49 PM
I find this disturbing and has BS all over it.

Razz1
07-29-2006, 12:09 AM
What's new?

They try to void your warrenty if you do your own oil changes, when they find out you need a major engine work.

Half te the time those statements work and they save money.

The question is ....................

Are you gulliable or smart?

Stavesacre21
07-29-2006, 12:23 AM
that really is BS. what's next? if you don't use a mazda oil filter, yur engine is no longer warranted?!

Good gosh peoples...i mean seriously...wtf.

DOMINION
07-29-2006, 01:35 AM
that really is BS. what's next? if you don't use a mazda oil filter, yur engine is no longer warranted?!

Good gosh peoples...i mean seriously...wtf.
If its not "OEM", Yup. God forbid they have a tester for synthetic oil :nono:

nycgps
07-29-2006, 02:20 AM
LOL

I've used K&N Typhoon Version 1, nothing happens. Altho it suck ass.

Version 2 for almost a year. no issues. Going Strong still.

My bro's SE-R, using K&N drop in since day 1 !!!!! no issues, Car still pulling strong, dealership dont give a shit.

My father's 95 PoS old Mini Van, well, been using K&N since about 70K miles. now 130K, still running strong, no issues with engine. Dealership ? Who cares ? He never been to it except for the 2 recall he had.

We ALL use aftermarket Oil filters, Aftermarket Engine Oil, Aftermarket ..... just whatever thats better.

No offence but your Honda "buddy" is just full of shit. Maybe its time to ask him to take some Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act lessons other than his ASE book.

Raptor2k
07-29-2006, 02:40 AM
Damn you Zoom making me read.

lmfao!

dtorre
07-29-2006, 04:27 AM
So then a midpipe would be covered under the Magnusson Moss act?

expo1
07-29-2006, 09:17 AM
So then a midpipe would be covered under the Magnusson Moss act? Removing your CAT is a violation of Federal law, and gives the dealer a major out. Don’t expect one law to help when you break another.

nycgps
07-29-2006, 09:54 AM
So then a midpipe would be covered under the Magnusson Moss act?


Just like what ^^ said.

Its just like removing your air filter gives ya the best airflow, but its going to nuke your engine and void the engine warranty. Yes it has been "prove" that removing Air filter will kill an engine.

But they cant void your warranty when you have K&N, cuz they still cant prove anything.

What Im thinking is that, lots of "inexperience" users just got themselfs some K&N, then they thought that "oh, it saids million mile warranty, so that means Im good for million miles !"

Sorry but we clean our filters every 5-10K. Yet to have any problems.

Blue_Chameleon
07-29-2006, 11:32 AM
Don't get me wrong. I think its idiotic that any car maker will automatically void a warranty just because they said so. You might as well tell all the car makers of the world not to have private auto mechanics anymore and that all vehicles must go back to the dealership for maintenance. In any case, I'm keeping my filter in my Accord and I'm planning on getting a little something for my RX8 too.

zoom44
07-29-2006, 12:17 PM
that really is BS. what's next? if you don't use a mazda oil filter, yur engine is no longer warranted?!

Good gosh peoples...i mean seriously...wtf.


did you actually read the k&n response or do the google search for magnusson-moss act?

MazdaTed
07-29-2006, 02:35 PM
Don't get me wrong. I think its idiotic that any car maker will automatically void a warranty just because they said so.


Why so idiotic? Mazda is a buisiness, A buisinesses sole job is to make money. Providing FREE warrenty service costs THEM money, therefore they lose money. So exept for the fact of poor customer service (running off futer car buyers) Its a real good Idea.


Oh, BTW, I dont like the fact that automakers are voiding warrentys, but it does make sense to me.

Blue_Chameleon
07-29-2006, 04:14 PM
Why so idiotic? Mazda is a buisiness, A buisinesses sole job is to make money. Providing FREE warrenty service costs THEM money, therefore they lose money. So exept for the fact of poor customer service (running off futer car buyers) Its a real good Idea.

Okay...maybe if I was a major marketing business type of guy, I can see how that would be good. But from my standpoint, it still sucks for little guys like myself :eyetwitch:

Clavius
07-29-2006, 08:59 PM
did you actually read the k&n response or do the google search for magnusson-moss act?

No Zoom I was the only moron who googled it grr.. making me read and shyt.. no fair!!! :mad:

zoom44
07-29-2006, 09:39 PM
hahahahah :D: :D:

DOMINION
07-30-2006, 12:17 AM
Removing your CAT is a violation of Federal law, and gives the dealer a major out. Don’t expect one law to help when you break another.

So then a midpipe would be covered under the Magnusson Moss act?
Yup thats why they call them loop holes in the system ;)

DOMINION
07-30-2006, 12:38 AM
Zoom, Befor Mazda re:built my Engine, I would go wot and a big black poof of smoke would come out the back.
Now when I go wot I dont see that smoke anymore.
Do you think thats due to the new flash AND/OR Engine being new? maybe thats why I dont get as much carb build up?
Do you think this cat or the greddy cat will help cut down on carb build up?
Thanks you for your time,
-Gilbert

End hijack.