Finding your K&N oil filter starts with your vehicle's year, make, and model
K&N makes oil filters for most vehicles, but the right filter for your car is not the same as the right one for your truck. K&N's website has a lookup tool where you enter your vehicle information and it shows you the exact filter part number that fits. You can also call a K&N dealer or an auto parts store with your vehicle details, and they will tell you which K&N filter to buy.
The filter you need depends on your engine size and the way your vehicle is designed to connect the filter to the engine. Two vehicles from the same year and brand can need different filters if one has a larger engine or a different engine generation. That is why guessing from a similar car usually does not work.
Key Takeaways
- K&N's online lookup tool at their website lets you search by year, make, model, and engine size to find your exact filter part number.
- You can also bring your vehicle's year, make, model, and engine displacement to any auto parts store, and they can look up the correct K&N filter for you.
- The filter part number tells you the thread size and filter height, so ordering the wrong number means the filter will not fit your engine.
- K&N filters are sold at most major auto parts retailers, online marketplaces, and directly from K&N dealers.
Using K&N's online lookup tool
K&N's website has a search page where you select your vehicle year, make, and model from dropdown menus. After you choose those three pieces of information, the tool shows you the K&N filter part numbers that fit your engine. Each result includes the part number, the filter type (spin-on or cartridge), and sometimes a photo so you can see what you are ordering.
Write down the part number before you leave the K&N website. The part number is what you need to give to a store or use when ordering online. Part numbers look like "K&N HP-1008" or similar — they are short and specific to one filter design.
If the lookup tool shows more than one result, check the engine displacement or engine code listed with each option. Your vehicle's manual or a quick online search for your exact model year will tell you which engine you have. Picking the wrong engine option means the filter will not thread onto your engine correctly.
Finding your vehicle information for the lookup
You need your vehicle's year, make, and model to use any lookup tool. The year is the model year, which you can find on your registration, insurance card, or the driver's side door jamb. The make is the brand — Ford, Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, and so on. The model is the specific vehicle name, like Civic, F-150, or Camry.
Some lookups also ask for engine size or displacement, usually measured in liters or cubic inches. Your owner's manual lists this, or you can find it on the same door jamb sticker that shows the model year. It might say "3.5L" or "350 cu in" or similar. If you are not sure, a quick search for "[your year] [make] [model] engine size" will show you what options exist for that vehicle.
If you have already bought a K&N filter before, you can also look at the old filter itself. The part number is printed on the side, and you can order the same number again if you want the same filter.
Where to buy K&N filters after you have the part number
Once you have your part number, you can buy from several places. Auto parts chains like AutoZone, O'Reilly, NAPA, and Advance Auto Parts stock K&N filters and can look up the part number for you if you give them your vehicle information instead of doing it yourself. Online retailers like Amazon and eBay sell K&N filters, and K&N sells directly from their own website.
Prices vary by retailer and by filter type. Spin-on filters (the most common kind) usually cost between $15 and $40, depending on the model. Cartridge filters and specialty filters cost more. Comparing prices across a few retailers before you buy can save you money, especially if you are ordering online.
Check the return policy before you buy, especially if you are ordering online. If the filter does not fit when it arrives, you want to know whether you can send it back or exchange it for the correct part number.
What to do if the lookup tool shows no results
If K&N's lookup tool does not show a result for your vehicle, it means K&N does not make a filter for that exact model. This happens most often with very new vehicles, very old vehicles, or vehicles that are not sold in large numbers in the United States. It can also happen if you entered the year, make, or model incorrectly.
Double-check your vehicle information and try the lookup again. If you still get no results, call K&N customer service or visit a local auto parts store. They can tell you whether K&N makes a filter for your vehicle at all, or whether a different brand is your only option for that model.
Some vehicles use cartridge filters that sit inside a plastic housing on top of the engine, rather than spin-on filters that screw onto the engine. K&N makes both types, but the lookup tool might organize them differently. If you are not sure which type your vehicle uses, your owner's manual will show you, or a parts store employee can look it up for you.
Understanding K&N filter part numbers and specifications
K&N part numbers follow a pattern that tells you basic information about the filter. The letters usually indicate the filter type — "HP" often means high-performance, and "K&N" is always at the start. The numbers tell you the size and thread pattern. For example, "K&N HP-1008" is different from "K&N HP-1009" because they fit different engines, even though they look similar.
The thread size is the diameter of the hole where the filter screws onto your engine. Common sizes are 3/4-16, 13/16-16, and 20mm, but K&N makes filters in many thread sizes. If you order the wrong thread size, the filter will not screw on at all, or it will screw on and then leak oil. That is why using the correct part number matters.
K&N also makes filters with different internal designs for different driving styles. Some are designed for high-flow performance, and others are standard replacements. The lookup tool will show you which type is recommended for your vehicle, but both types will fit and work in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a K&N filter from a different vehicle if it looks the same size?
No. Even if two filters look similar, using the wrong part number means the thread size or filter height is wrong for your engine. The filter will either not fit at all or will leak oil. Always use the part number that matches your exact vehicle year, make, model, and engine.
What if I lose my K&N part number?
You can look it up again using K&N's website or by visiting an auto parts store with your vehicle information. You can also check your receipt from the last time you bought the filter — the part number is usually printed there. If you still have the old filter, the part number is stamped on the side.
Does K&N make filters for diesel engines?
Yes, K&N makes filters for many diesel trucks and engines. Use the same lookup process with your vehicle year, make, and model, and the tool will show you diesel-specific filters if your vehicle uses diesel. Diesel filters are often larger and cost more than gasoline filters because diesel engines produce more contaminants.
Is a K&N filter more expensive than other brands?
K&N filters usually cost more than the cheapest store-brand filters, but less than some premium synthetic filters. The price difference is usually $5 to $15 per filter. Whether the extra cost is worth it depends on your vehicle, your driving, and your budget — both K&N and cheaper filters will protect your engine if you change them on schedule.
Can I order a K&N filter online if I am not sure about the part number?
Yes, but verify the part number before you complete the order. Most online retailers show a photo and description of the filter, and you can compare that to your vehicle information. If you are still unsure, call K&N or the retailer's customer service — they can confirm the part number matches your vehicle before you pay.