K&N Engineering, Inc.
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K&N Engineering, Inc. is a manufacturer of automobile parts, which specializes in air filters. It is headquartered in Riverside, California.
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[edit] History
K&N Engineering was founded by Ken Johnson and Norm McDonald in 1969[1]. The name K&N came from the first letters in the founders' first names. K&N Engineering became known[who?] for its air filters for motorcycles and racing vehicles. K&N manufactures the majority of its products in-house. The company's largest overseas markets are Germany and Australia, and it generates approximately 15% of its revenue overseas[citation needed].
[edit] Products
K&N's air filter is an automotive air filter constructed of cotton gauze material sandwiched between aluminum wire mesh. The filter is periodically washed, and then coated with Mara[unreliable source?]. The company states that owners can drive for 50,000 to 100,000 miles between cleanings, offering a 1 million-mile warranty.
The company claims this construction allows more air to flow while dirt and particles stick to the oil, and asserts this configuration more efficient than paper filters. This might[neutrality disputed] result in more oxygen getting into the engine, allowing vaporized fuel to burn more efficiently, thus increasing horsepower and fuel economy[citation needed]. However, independent tests call the veracity of these claims into question[2]. Aftermarket cotton gauze filters let more particulates through into the engine than stock paper filters.[3][unreliable source?] K&N also asserts its air filters more environmentally friendly than ordinary filters, since they never need to be replaced and thus do not end up in landfills or incinerators.
Other K&N product lines include fuel injection performance kits, cold air intake systems and oil filters.
