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A K&N cabin air filter is the first line of defense against harmful intruders in your Hyundai Sonata

Fast forward to 2014 and the introduction of the seventh generation Sonata, code-named LF. The Hyundai Sonata has served as a versatile platform, sold in a variety of trim levels with six different engines and four different transmissions, variations based on the global market.

In the US, the 2015-2017 Hyundai Sonata was available with four engine options:

The 1.6 L turbocharged Gamma GDI engine features an aluminum block and DOHC 16V aluminum cylinder head with dual CVVT, twin-scroll turbocharger, and an air-guided intercooler. The 1.6 Gamma produces 177 horsepower.

The 2.0 L turbocharged Theta engine features a high-pressure die-cast aluminum alloy engine block, hollow stainless-steel dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) with powder-metal cam lobes, pent-roof combustion chambers, and gasoline direct injection. The 2.0L Theta produces 245 horsepower.

The 2.4 L naturally-aspirated Theta engine shares the same architecture and construction as the 2.0 L version, with the same bore but with a stroke lengthened by nine millimeters. In addition, the compression ratio was reduced from 10.5:1 to 10.3:1. The 2.4 L Theta produces 185 horsepower.

A K&N cabin air filter helps block mold, mildew, fungus, spores, bacteria, dust, and more

Regardless of engine, each of these models shares at least one common component: the cabin air filter.

Hyundai installs cabin air filters in the ventilation system to clean and filter the outside air that enters your Sonata. As the filter does its job and it collects dust, debris, spores, and pollen. At a certain point, the filter becomes clogged, restricting the air entering your ventilation system.

Without the full flow of air around which the ventilation system was designed it could cause your air conditioning or your defrost system to not work as efficiently as they should, and could even reduce the lifespan of those components resulting in expensive repairs.

For example, if you drive in an area with sand, dust, pollen, spores, even debris like leaves in the autumn, over time these contaminants can collect on your filter and reduce air flow through your Sonata’s heating and air conditioning system. An indication of a clogged or partially clogged cabin air filter is that the fan needs to be set higher than usual to get the same amount of air. In addition, if you’re plagued with persistent bad odors inside the car they can often be traced to bacteria or mold growing on an old filter.

K&N cabin air filter replacement is simple and takes just a few minutes. Instructions are in the box

As your cabin air filter is your first line of defense against these pesky hitchhikers, why not replace your disposable OEM filter with a high-quality K&N filter. K&N cabin air filters are the first of their kind designed to replace your vehicle's stock cabin air filter with a washable and reusable upgrade that cleans and freshens incoming air.

Further, your VF2058 K&N cabin air filter is electrostatically charged to grab and hold dust and other airborne particles. It also helps control odors while they help capture and hold most mold, mildew, fungus, spores, and germs.

Made of a unique non-woven synthetic material, K&N cabin air filters are an easy replacement upgrade for your vehicle's cabin air filter. Replacing the cabin air filter is a fast swap – it’s as simple as exchanging the old, dirty filter for a new one. The housing for the filter is behind the glove box and requires you only to twist two knobs to access the filter. The old filter can be replaced and the glovebox buttoned-up in only about five minutes.

The cabin filter cleaning care kit makes rinsing and reviving the K&N filter a breeze

The only maintenance required for your VF2054 K&N cabin air filter is a service you can do yourself in no time at all. At intervals of about 12 months or 12,000 miles, using a K&N cabin air filter cleaning kit, parts number 99-6000, you can easily renew and re-oil your air filter, which brings it back to virtually new condition and ready to protect your car’s cabin and your passengers. Your K&N cabin air filter has been designed to last for years of use and is guaranteed by K&N’s 10-Year/Million Mile Limited Warranty.

And by purchasing a reusable cabin air filter, you’re helping the environment as well, as you no longer have to throw away an old, clogged non-recyclable filter that will end up in a landfill.

The K&N VF2054 cabin air filter is designed to fit the following vehicles:

2017 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2017 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2017 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2017 HYUNDAI SONATA 1.6L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2016 HYUNDAI SONATA 1.6L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.4L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA 2.0L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models
2015 HYUNDAI SONATA 1.6L L4 Fuel Injection - All Models

Scott Fraser behind the wheel of the Porsche GT3

Because of the incredible weather the state of California seems to boast year round, you can, on any given weekend, find a handful of car events all over the state of California, especially the So Cal area. Whether it’s a Cars and Coffee or Cars and Cones at the local mall, or maybe a Speed Ventures or SCCA event you crave, or perhaps the Hotchkis Sport Suspension Annual Toy Drive, Southern California has something for almost any gearhead!

The Crew at TCI showed up and gave BIG to this cause

Sunday morning awards, nothing but smiles from Chad Ryker, Mike DuSold and Wes Drelleshak

Scott Fraser along with the Sheely Collection Charities are the big winners of the weekend.

Greg Nelson the Leader in Modern Muscle

The Inaugural Sheely Collection AutoX and Celebrity Shootout will benefit local charities that include the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department, The Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Ronald McDonald House, and the San Diego Fisher House Foundation, supporting Veterans seeking treatment for wounds, illness, and injury by providing temporary housing close by for their family.

Matt Alcala behind the wheel of Greg Thurmonds '65 Vette

Sunday, Day 2 began with the ultimate driver’s meeting where the racers would learn who they were matched up with for the bracket-style shootout. One by one the driver’s would stage. The green flag was thrown and in the end, there would only be one crowned the victor.

Greg Nelson rolls away a winner!

Celebrating his sixth decade on this rolling rock, Pat came to AutoX not quite three years ago. He had purchased a Ford Daytona and wanted to see if that fast and light car could finagle its way around some orange cones at the 15th Annual Meguiar’s Spring Nationals at Del Mar Fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA. One might say that after his first autocross, he was hooked. Between the camaraderie in the pits, the smell of burning fuel, the salt in the air, and let’s not forget the course, the staging lights and the spectators, Sheely was downright smitten with Autocross!

Chad Ryker in the TCI '71 Camaro winner in Classic Muscle

Wes Drelleshak wins the truck class with an amazing time

Sunday's Celebrity Shootout Warm Up Laps at the track

Combining his passion for giving with his passion for motorsports, Sheely and the Racing Byrds created an event like none other. In the end, the Inaugural Sheely Collection AutoX & Celebrity Shootout raised almost $25,000. Our (Santa) hat’s off to Pat Sheely, Eric Sheely, and Wes Drelleshak along with Rob and Trish Byrd of the Racing Byrds and every one of the 48 participants for making this event so successful.

Ernie Adams with his wonderful dwarf 1940 Mercury 2 door sedan replica

K&N visited Adams’ Dwarf Car Museum in Maricopa, Arizona, and we can say with no small measure of certainty that there is nothing like it anywhere in the world. It is hard to imagine the hours of work and the limitless talent that have gone into the glimmering and sometimes whimsical creations that grace the Adams’ compound in the Arizona desert.

The cars are replicas of iconic American models built in smaller scale. When asked about the specific scale that he uses, Adams says that each car is based on 12-inch wheels (which are most often custom made) and the rest of the car is built to suit that rim size. In most cases, the scale becomes somewhere around 5/8 of full size.

Adams daughter-in-law shows how the home-built whitewall machine works

Building these dwarf customs means that Adams has had to be creative with his tools and techniques. Many of the metal bending tools, frame jigs, and various other custom pieces of equipment were designed and built by Adams.

Conventional metalworking equipment just didn’t work for Adams’ specialized builds. Adams’ daughter-in-law showed us a special jig that he designed to cut and paint whitewalls on tires that can’t be found in the vintage motif.

Adams also creates dwarf customs that reflect his sense of humor like his 'Hillbilly' Model A

Once completed, you might think that the cars become pampered showpieces. However, while his creations frequently win top prizes at leading car shows, Adams drives all of his cars. In fact, several of the street-legal dwarf cars have been driven cross-country to distant shows in places like Chicago, Illinois, and other states across the East and Midwest.

Creative badging and intricate trim finish Adams' amazing builds

Ernie's son Kevin has written a book on his father's life, cars, and the museum. 'Break Time at Ernie's' is filled with photos and great memories, and will soon be available to the public.

Ernie Adams and the rest of the family are welcoming, gregarious, and great fun to talk to. You will not regret a visit to the Dwarf Car Museum. As you peruse the photos, remember that each car is roughly the size of the one by which Adams is standing for scale.

The dwarf 1949 Mercury is one of Ernie's favorites. James Dean would be impressed

How cool is the 1934 Ford sedan with dwarf suicide doors?

Check out the detail on the back of Adams' dwarf 1954 Chevy Bel Air

Clearly, Adams' dwarf car creations are favorites at car shows

This dwarf hot rod and matching tiny speedboat are museum favorites

The cars look like full-size models without a person in the photo for scale

The substantial power plant on the Boulevard benefits from the airflow of the K&N SU-1409 filter

Of course, engines pushing that much displacement need air and lots of it. The Suzuki Boulevard is especially receptive to the added airflow that K&N filter technology delivers. The K&N SU-1409 direct replacement air filter is just the prescription to open up the lungs on several Boulevard models produced from 2009 – 2017.

It’s pretty simple. More air to an engine greatly increases the potential for more power. Restrictive stock filters limit the air available to the fuel injection system which, in turn, limits the bike's performance potential. K&N has been producing and refining free-flowing filters for over four decades.

Performance gains that a rider can feel is what K&N is all about. One of our astute customers, Sherwin H. from Union City, Georgia, was effusive in praising what the SU-1409 did for his 2009 Suzuki Boulevard M90.

“I noticed it idles a whole lot smoother,” said Sherwin. “[It] pulls stronger from a dead stop. Downshifting and passing had definitely improved. Can't beat that formula - more air, more power. Very, very pleased with this product.”

The SU-1409 filter uses K&N's oiled, cotton gauze filter media for performance and protection

The benefits of the SU-1409 don’t stop with more power and great filtration. The filter is also easy to install and is extremely cost efficient over its guaranteed lifespan. Again, our happy customer, Sherwin, may have put it best.

“Considering the fact that a new regular filter for this bike is about $85 for a single use, highly restrictive filter, this is actually a great deal,” Sherwin said. “If you have ever changed the air filter on your bike then you will have absolutely no problems installing this filter. Just read the instructions and you will be very happy with how easy it is to install.”

All you need to carry out the periodic filter maintenance is a K&N recharge kit like the 99-5000 filter care kit. The kit includes filter cleaning fluid and filter oil.

The SU-1409 filter fits the following models:

The SU-1409 filter for the Suzuki Boulevard 1500 comes ready for easy installation

The area under the cab of the Starship is completely flat in order to improve aerodynamic efficiency

But what’s the actual effect if one were to take an integrated approach to optimize all areas of the tractor-trailer that the wind passes over? That’s what Bob Sliwa has been pondering since he founded AirFlow Truck Company in 1983. After a misspent youth drag racing a 1965 GTO and then a 1966 L88 Chevelle SS he decided to start a trucking company, first as an owner-operator.

Fast forward to 2009 when AirFlow developed its first hyper-efficient Class 8 rig. Equipped with a K&N air filter and nicknamed the BulletTruck, its nose looked like a cross between a Shinkansen and an NHRA Pro Stocker.

The gap between cab and trailer is electonically-controlled while solar panels contribute power

For example, the drag-inducing space between cab and trailer is closed by an electronically-controlled gap sealer. The system monitors the position of the truck in relation to the trailer retracting the sealer so that tight turning maneuvers don’t damage the gap sealer but then moves it back into place at highway speeds.

The underside of both the truck and trailer is completely flat, which eliminates a great deal of turbulence-induced parasitic drag that the engine must overcome, especially at highway speeds. This both increases fuel consumption but also limits the revenue-generating load the truck can carry.

Even how the air exits from under the hood has been treated for aerodynamic efficiency

On the roof of the trailer is a 5000 watt solar array, while there’s a regenerative braking system on the trailer’s rear axle that collects otherwise lost energy on downhill runs. Power can be stored in a battery system like a Tesla, then used to drive the electrical systems of the truck (eliminating the drag of an alternator, thus achieving yet another improvement in engine efficiency).

The engine is an X15 high-efficiency diesel from Cummins, offering the highest fuel economy in the industry. Because of the aerodynamic efficiency of the Starship, it doesn’t need to push its engine as hard as conventional trucks. So instead of running at the advertised governed speed of 1800/2000 rpm, the StarShip will redline at 1100 rpm, contributing to significant fuel savings. The engine is fitted with a unique Eaton transmission modified specifically for the Starship.

Those fuel savings actually relate to the weight capacity of the truck as well. Instead of the standard 250-gallon fuel capacity, the Starship will be fitted with a 100-gallon fuel tank. At seven pounds per gallon for diesel fuel, that’s a weight savings of over a half a ton that can instead be used to carry revenue-generating cargo.

Even the trailer end has received an aerodynamic treatment to further reduce parasitic drag

Improvements in aerodynamics on the truck have netted a 50% reduction in drag versus current trailer-trailer combinations. But there are other areas, particularly those affected by friction, that are addressed on the Starship as well, including low viscosity synthetic lubricants, low rolling resistance tires whose inflation pressures are constantly monitored and maximized for economic operation and long wear.

If you’re going to be attending the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, from March 22 through March 24, be certain to stop by the Shell booth and take a first-hand look at the future of trucking as exemplified by the AirFlow Starship.