1500 - Engine Air Filter Replacement 🛠️

Good news: on your 1500 this is one of the easiest jobs you can do yourself.

Tools & Parts Needed 📦

• 🧰 New engine air filter (panel style, for 2015 1500 3.6L)
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (for clips if tight)
• 🧰 Clean rag (to wipe airbox)

Flathead screwdriver = a screwdriver with a flat, straight tip.

Safety First ⚠️

• 🛑 Park on level ground, shift to PARK, set the parking brake.
• 🛑 Turn engine OFF and remove the key (or switch ignition off fully).
• 🛑 Let the engine bay cool if you just drove.

Step 1 – Open the Hood 🚗

• 🔧 Inside the cab, pull the hood release lever (by driver’s kick panel).
• 🔧 Go to the front, reach under the center of the hood, move the safety latch and lift the hood.
• 🔧 Secure the hood with the prop rod if your truck doesn’t have gas struts.

Step 2 – Locate the Air Filter Box 📍

• 📦 Stand in front of the truck, looking at the engine.
• 📦 The air filter box is a large black plastic box on the passenger side front, with a big plastic tube (intake duct) going to the engine throttle body.

Step 3 – Open the Air Filter Box 🔓

• 🧷 On your 3.6L, the airbox lid is held by several metal clips around the edges:
  • Use your fingers to flip each clip off the lid. If tight, gently pry with the flathead screwdriver.
• 🧷 Once all clips are released, lift the airbox lid up and slightly back. You don’t need to disconnect the big hose; just tilt the lid enough to access the filter.

Step 4 – Remove the Old Filter 🧹

• 📤 Note how the old filter sits (rubber edge, direction, and orientation).
• 📤 Lift the old filter straight up and out.
• 📤 Use the clean rag to gently wipe out any loose dust or leaves from the bottom of the airbox. Do not push dirt into the intake opening.

Step 5 – Install the New Filter ✅

• 📥 Place the new filter into the airbox with the rubber sealing edge sitting flat all the way around the perimeter.
• 📥 Make sure:
  • The filter sits fully down in the groove.
  • No part of the rubber seal is folded or sitting on top of the box edge.

Step 6 – Close and Latch the Airbox 🔒

• 🔧 Lower the airbox lid back into place, making sure it fits over the filter evenly.
• 🔧 Engage the bottom tabs (if present) first, then press the lid down.
• 🔧 Re‑attach all the metal clips around the lid. Check each clip by tugging lightly to be sure it’s locked.

Step 7 – Final Checks ✅

• 👀 Look around the airbox and intake tube:
  • No gaps between lid and box.
  • Intake hose still fully seated and not twisted.
• 👀 Close the hood securely.

After the Change 🚙

• 🌬️ You may notice slightly smoother throttle response and maybe a tiny fuel economy improvement if the old filter was dirty.
• 📅 On these trucks, changing the engine air filter about every 20,000–30,000 miles (or sooner in dusty conditions) is a good habit.

If you’d like, tell me if your airbox lid looks different (screws instead of clips, etc.), and I’ll adjust the steps for your exact setup.

HowToo makes it easy: below this answer you’ll see the correct engine air filter for your 1500, plus any basic tools you might need. You can add them to your cart right from the parts section for fast shipping.