I've been lucky on my past three vehicles. I think the key is in properly re-oiling it. I'm cautious when re-oiling even though I've only done it twice. It comes oiled just right from the factory and it's not too hard to re-oil but you know how some people are...........Anything worth doing is worth overdoing. When you re-oil you're supposed to put a light coat at the tops of the ridges and let it spread so I can easily see how someone could over oil and cause problems if they don't pay attention to ensuring they don't over do it.

 

Bingo! Even the oil insrtuctions say to be carefull about over oiling. Once it is clean just lightly spray the oil on till it is slightly pink and let sit for a few. If you have to much oil it will run out.

 

i've never had any problems with kn air filters in any of my other cars and trucks as well...thinking about getting it for the hhr when i get paid this week. almost time for oil change and gonna do a lil maint. on it as well. just like paint...you wanna give it light coats when re-oiling

 

Found the drop in filter here for $37.50 and no shipping charges. Plus no tax because I am out of state. Has anyone found it at a better cost? If so ,where?

http://www.ajusa.com/cgi-bin/stores/...609536e2fd0716

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...151433202&rd=1

 

Add shipping and it would be more.

 

Got mine for 38.50 w/ no shipping or tax..........

http://www.autoanything.com/air-filt...0A2355169.aspx

 

oops, right. That is a good price.

 

I haven't noticed an increase in MPG, but I did notice a little extra kick in HP when pulling away from a stop. Maybe it's in my head but I noticed a little zip. My wife didn't though. I have the 2.4 and I use premium gas.

 

I drive almost every weekend 330 miles on the highway and the rest of the time back and forth to work (16 miles round trip) When I had the stock filter in I would get about 420 miles on a tank of gas before I got the low fuel light. Now with the K&N drop in I get between 380-410 doing the same trek. I do drive at about 80 MPH on the highway but I did that before on the stock filter. If there are any performance gains it is not readily apparent at least in my case. So I have come to believe that unless you are buying a K&N to save on long term filter costs you are better off staying stock unless you are doing other mods that will compliment the added air flow. Ok theres my 2 cent lol!