🔧 Legacy - Engine Air Filter Replacement

Your Legacy’s engine air filter keeps dust and debris out of the engine. Replacing it helps maintain good fuel economy, smooth power, and protects the engine from wear.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.25-0.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🧤 Work on a cool engine to avoid burns.
• 🔌 Keep dirt out of the intake tube and air box while the filter is out.
• ⚠️ Don’t tug on wiring near the air box (this includes the MAF sensor wiring; the MAF is the airflow sensor).
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Flashlight
• Phillips screwdriver
• 8mm socket
• 1/4" drive ratchet

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine air filter - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground and turn the engine off.
• 🔥 Let the engine cool for 15–30 minutes if it was just running.
• 🔦 Have a flashlight ready so you can see the air box clips clearly.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the hood

• Use your hands to pull the hood release inside the car, then release the safety latch at the hood.
• Use a flashlight to locate the black plastic air filter box (air cleaner housing) in the engine bay.

Step 2: Access the air filter housing

• Use your hands to locate the metal retaining clips around the air box lid.
• If your air box lid is tight to lift, loosen the intake snorkel/hose clamp slightly using a Phillips screwdriver or 8mm socket and 1/4" drive ratchet.
• Only loosen enough to lift the lid.

Step 3: Unclip and open the air box

• Use your hands to flip open the retaining clips (usually 2 clips on this style housing).
• Lift the top half of the air box straight up and slightly back to create room.
• Do not force it; if it won’t lift, re-check for a clamp that needs a little more loosening using the Phillips screwdriver or 8mm socket.

Step 4: Remove the old filter

• Use your hands to pull the old air filter straight out.
• Use a flashlight to look inside the lower air box for leaves or dirt.
• If debris is present, remove it by hand while wearing nitrile gloves. Do not let debris fall into the intake tube.

Step 5: Install the new filter

• Use your hands to place the new filter into the lower air box.
• Make sure it sits flat and the sealing edge is fully seated all the way around.
• If it’s crooked, the lid won’t close right.

Step 6: Close and secure the air box

• Lower the air box lid back into position using your hands.
• Use your hands to snap the retaining clips fully closed.
• If you loosened a clamp, tighten it using a Phillips screwdriver or 8mm socket and 1/4" drive ratchet until snug.

Step 7: Final check

• Use a flashlight to confirm the air box lid is evenly seated and all clips are locked.
• Make sure no tools are left in the engine bay.

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✅ After Repair

• 🚗 Start the engine and let it idle for 20–30 seconds.
• 👂 Listen for a loud hissing/whistling sound (can mean the air box isn’t sealed).
• 🛣️ Take a short test drive and confirm no warning lights appear.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$120 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15-$35 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$85 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.5 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.