Characteristics of the Best Oil Filter - Not All Oil Filters Are Created Equal

K&N Wrench-Off oil filter canisters are constructed for extra strength, include a 1” welded nut for easy Wrench-Off, and use high-flow filter media for high GPM rates & great protection

An engine's oil filter is designed to remove contaminants from motor oil. The motor oil inside an engine is continually exposed to the byproducts of an internal combustion engine, including microscopic metallic particles from the wearing of metal surfaces as they rub against one another. If not removed from the motor oil by using an oil filter, these contaminants can continue to circulate and grind against the part surfaces causing excessive wear. Fortunately an oil filter does a pretty good job of removing many of the particles and sludge.

To aid vehicle maintenance K&N Wrench-Off® Oil Filters include a 1” nut welded to the top of the canister so they can be easily wrenched-off with a standard socket or wrench

Simply because oil filters are all designed to do the same job, doesn't mean that they get the job done equally well. Additionally, an oil filter that claims to have a high efficiency rating doesn't exactly correlate to a cleaner engine. Sometimes if the oil filter becomes clogged, or if oil pressures are too high due to a restrictive filter media, the oil will bypass the filter completely and dirty oil will recirculate through the engine. Recirculating this dirty oil can be far more damaging than using an oil filter with an average filtration efficiency rating.

The automotive industry has three basic levels when classifying oil filters. At the bottom of the list is the value/standard level oil filters, hanging around the middle are the premium/high-mileage oil filters, and up at the top are the high-level premium/performance oil filters. There are several factors which determine how an oil filter is classified; however the easiest way to distinguish between the categories is based on price. It almost goes without saying, that the most basic oil filters are the least expensive and the high-level premium/performance oil filters come at a higher price tag.

For vehicle owners looking for a premium mid-level oil filter to provide their daily driver with excellent engine protection, K&N offers its Pro Series line of replacement oil filters

K&N's ultra-premium line of Wrench-Off® Oil Filters is specially designed for high durability as well as high flow rates in extreme conditions. They are popular amongst high-performance vehicle owners and racers. K&N Wrench-Off Oil Filters' specially designed filter media helps maintain excellent filtration even with heavier grade oils and higher GPM flow rates experienced in racing conditions. K&N Wrench-Off oil filter canisters are constructed for extra strength to lower the risk of debris or rock damage to the housing. They are also designed to handle higher oil pressures without bursting. Each K&N Wrench-Off oil filter comes with a hex nut welded to the top of the canister so it can be easily wrenched-off with a standard tool. A hole is drilled through the Wrench-Off nut to secure the oil filter with a safety wire for racing.

K&N's line of premium motorcycle, ATV, Side by Side, Marine, and PWC oil filters offer a performance upgrade at a cost that is on par with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) oil filters

K&N knows that not everyone is a racer and wouldn't need to worry about extra high-burst strength, safety wiring their oil filter, or compatibility with racing oils and/or fuels. So for vehicle owners looking for a premium mid-level oil filter to provide their daily driver with excellent protection, K&N offers its Pro Series line of oil filters. Visually the biggest difference between K&N Wrench-Off and Pro Series oil filters is that the Pro Series line has a fluted canister shape so they can be removed with a traditional oil filter cap wrench or strap wrench. Inside, K&N Pro Series oil filters are made with a pleated high-flow filter media which provides high capacity and reduced oil filter restriction. K&N Pro Series oil filters provide outstanding filtration and engine protection throughout their service life. They are engineered to handle all grades of synthetic, conventional and blended motor oils.

K&N also offers cartridge style oil filters within the Pro Series line of filters. Cartridge oil filters are used for vehicles with a permanent oil filter housing, either mounted directly to the engine or remotely, which contains a replaceable oil filter element also known as a cartridge filter. Many European and Asian built vehicles from the late 1990's onwards, and certain late-model American vehicles, utilize this type of oil filter to help reduce waste. Like the K&N canister style Pro Series Oil Filters, the cartridge type are made with a pleated high-flow filter media which provides high capacity and reduced oil filter restriction. In many cases they include new o-rings or gaskets, as necessary, and are compatible with all grades of motor oil. Their high-capacity design will handle the extended oil filter service intervals recommended by many European auto makers.

K&N Wrench-Off Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Filters have been specially designed for the high compression levels and tighter tolerances of large Class 4-8 turbo diesel engines

K&N's extensive line of oil filters isn't limited to the automotive and light-duty truck market. In fact, K&N's line of premium motorcycle and ATV oil filters offer a performance upgrade at a cost that is on par with original equipment oil filters. K&N motorcycle and ATV oil filters use a High Flow Premium Media that allows for high flow rates while still providing outstanding filtration. Where applicable, K&N motorcycle and ATV canister oil filters come with a 17 mm nut welded to the top of the canister so they can be easily wrenched-off with a standard tool. The transition to 4-stroke outboard marine engines, and personal watercraft, means that marine and fresh-water enthusiasts will benefit from installing a K&N premium oil filter. K&N offers high flow premium marine oil filters for many boat and personal watercraft applications.

K&N also offers washable and reusable billet aluminum spin-on Oil Filters by Pure Power and reusable in-line oil filters for use in racing and other extreme conditions

Another corner of the oil filter segment often overlooked by the average consumer is the Heavy-Duty Class 4-8 Diesel market. K&N once again has an oil filter for those wanting nothing but the best oil filter for their Class 4-8 Heavy-Duty Diesel. K&N Wrench-Off® Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Filters have been specially designed for the high compression levels and tighter tolerances of large Class 4-8 turbo diesel engines. A synthetic microglass media provides low restriction and incredible engine protection. Add to this a thick canister and high burst strength and a K&N Wrench-Off® Heavy Duty Diesel Oil Filter is one serious heavy duty truck filter. To aid vehicle maintenance K&N Wrench-Off® Heavy-Duty Diesel Oil Filters include a 1” nut welded to the top of the canister so they can be easily wrenched-off with a standard socket or wrench.

As if all these K&N oil filter options weren't enough to make heads spin, K&N also offers washable and reusable spin-on and in-line oil filters for extreme conditions. K&N reusable billet aluminum spin-on Oil Filters by Pure Power are manufactured from high quality material and components. They are designed for very high oil flow rates with low restriction and provide excellent engine protection. The K&N billet aluminum spin-on oil filters are easy to clean and maintain. The ability to disassemble these oil filters allows for an easy visual inspection of a race engine's internal health, and can save some money on oil filters in the long run. Similarly, K&N's line of inline reusable oil filters are designed to provide high flow rates while protecting the oil pump and/or engine from harmful contamination. They can be plumbed into most existing oil systems or dry sump setups found on NASCAR, or Sprint Car engines. To assist with the desired level of protection and oil flow, K&N offers several replacement elements for K&N inline oil filters which filter between 25 and 100 microns.

K&N stands behind its oil filter products with a K&N limited warranty to be free from defects in materials and workmanship when installed and replaced using engine and equipment manufacturers recommended service intervals. K&N also has a Consumer Protection Pledge and Engine Protection Limited Warranty. Find a K&N oil filter designed specifically for your vehicle using the K&N Application Search. Or browse K&N's extensive offering of performance and racing oil filter products. Then use the K&N Dealer Search to find a K&N dealer in your part of the world.