Gotta say, I've had K&N filters on almost everything I've driven/ridden for the past 20 yrs give or take... never had an issue.


HHR has had one for just over 13k miles.

Off K&N's website:

CONSUMER PROTECTION PLEDGE
We want to make sure that when you buy a K&N Lifetime Air Filter or Air Intake System, you can be confident your vehicle's warranty will not be impacted. We also want you to feel confident that even if you experience difficulties with a dealership repair department, we will step-in and resolve the issue, so you won't have to. Therefore, we make the following Pledge:

K&N pledges to our customers that they will not be taken advantage of and charged for a repair due to a manufacturer warranty denial blamed on the presence of a K&N product. (more).
Steven Rogers, CEO

ENGINE PROTECTION LIMITED WARRANTY
Unlike many companies, our warranty for O/E replacement air filters and intake systems does extend beyond the replacement of a defective K&N part. For the original purchaser of the product, our warranty covers any engine damage or related costs incurred as a direct result of the use of a properly installed and maintained K&N O/E replacement air filter or intake system on the specific vehicle for which the product was designed to be used by K&N. This includes reasonable vehicle repair costs, sensor replacements, car rental fees or other incidental expenses directly related to an engine problem caused by the failure of a K&N product. Furthermore, we warrant that using our product will not result in a vehicle warranty denial. K&N will not be responsible for any indirect, consequential, special, contingent, or other damages not listed above.

We will promptly reimburse the consumer for the cost of the repair if a service provider denies warranty coverage as a result of a K&N product or claims that a K&N product has caused harm to your engine or vehicle. In order to receive reimbursement, we require each of the following:

1. The consumer must provide a written statement or repair order from the dealership or service provider in which the dealership or service provider blames the problem or warranty denial on a K&N product;
2. The service provider or consumer must provide K&N with all allegedly damaged parts. Many states have laws that require a service provider to retain all parts replaced during a vehicle repair, unless given consent to dispose of the parts by the consumer. K&N will pay the shipping cost to recover these parts; and
3. The consumer must provide proof of purchase of the K&N product along with cooperation in helping us investigate the claim.

Once these steps have been completed, K&N will contact the service provider and collect evidence to support their claim. In the event we are not provided with sufficient evidence, we reserve the right to reject the claim and will use our best efforts to assist in establishing your rights toward the service provider under warranty or other provisions.
We strive to exceed consumer expectations. Customer service can be reached at 1-800-858-3333.

 

I'm thinking the problem is where you live, in a constant state of slowing down or stopping. There's no free lunch, your MPG drops even sitting at lights unless you want to turn off your engine at every light. Come to think of it, I wonder what uses more fuel, idling for a certain amount of time or starting the engine?

Hmm...

 

If there was an air filter that improved mileage, don't you think that manufacturers would make it standard equipment? They spend millions to get their corporate mileage as high as possible. A couple dollars more for a filter wouldn't matter.

 

I have a 2006 2lt mpg was terrible finally had the ECM programed $92.00 there was 21 updates made a big diffrence better performance and much better MPG I waited almost 2 yearas to have it done as I hate my local Chevy dealer when I asked the service Mgr. he just said change the brand of gas aand walked away so now drive about 24 miles to another dealer, the local chevy dealer is about 4 miles from my house will never go even if they offered everything for free.

 

I'd say GM won't consider K&N because they feel it does not filter thorough enough..

BTW: I have had a K&N drop-in in mine since right after I bought it !!

 

K&N requires routine maintenance,,,,,and it costs more, factory is on the cheap, and cant make any money when they cant sell new filters!

 

What ? every 50K or more in dusty conditions..

 

I can tell you as someone who works for a large diesel engine manufacturer that I would NEVER use a K&N. On our diesel engines it only takes a couple spoonfulls equivalent of dust to take them out, and since they are compression ignition you will not get masking of cylinder wear like you do on a spark ignition (gasoline/CNG/LPG) engine.

Remember, the bigger holes in that K&N filter also flow more dust, and on replaceable paper element filter as you get more accumulation of dust in the filter it actualy becomes more efficient at filtering out dust.

I would like it if there were some type of filter restriction monitor on the HHR, but that may be asking for too much. Still, I am going to stick with standard filter because I've seen too many people with "dusted" engines due to a K&N.

 

I couldn't agree more. Being an avid off-roader, I can't tell you how many times I've heard other riders complain of engine problems while running K&Ns. As I've stated before, if you are going to run a K&N, I would highly recommend you also run an Outerwear pre-filter. You also need to be prepared to perform a visual inspection on a regular basis and filter maintenance far more frequently than a paper element.

In the off-road world my air filters get serviced EVERY time before going out on a trip. For extended trips I'll even bring spare filters.

I am currently running a two-stage foam filter in my HHR with an Outerwear and I also own a diesel engine truck and run a two-stage foam filter in it as well.

I recently took in one of my two-stroke cyclinders for a hone job and when the shop owner looked in the cylinder he looked up at me and said "it's pretty obvious you keep up with your air filtering." Again, nothing but maintained two-stage foam filters in my off-road vehicles.

 

All you have to do with a K&N is to clean it on a regular basis, AND cut the foot out of a pair of panty hose to use as a pre-filter. And NEVER NEVER any oil.