🔧 Tucson - Engine Air Filter Replacement

Replacing the engine air filter helps your Tucson breathe clean air and keeps dirt out of the engine. This is one of the easiest maintenance jobs and does not require lifting the vehicle.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 10-15 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Park on a level surface and turn the engine off before opening the hood.
• ⚠️ Let the engine cool if it was recently driven, because nearby parts can be hot.
• ⚠️ Do not start the engine while the air filter box is open.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Clean shop towel
• Flashlight

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine air filter - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Tucson on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🅿️ Set the parking brake.
• 🔥 Turn the engine off and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
• 💡 Open the hood and use a flashlight if the lighting is poor.
• 📦 The engine air filter is inside the black plastic air cleaner box on the driver-side/front area of the engine bay.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood

• Use your hand to pull the hood release lever inside the cabin, near the driver-side lower dash.
• Go to the front of your Tucson and release the secondary hood latch by hand.
• Raise the hood and support it securely with the hood prop rod if equipped.
• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.

Step 2: Find the Air Filter Box

• Use a flashlight to locate the black plastic air cleaner box.
• The air cleaner box is connected to a large black intake tube that runs toward the engine.
• The filter housing uses snap clips, not bolts, so no socket is normally needed.
• Take a quick photo first.

Step 3: Release the Air Filter Box Clips

• Use your fingers to unclip the metal retaining clips on the air filter box cover.
• A retaining clip is a small spring-style latch that holds the plastic air box lid closed.
• Do not force the plastic lid. It should lift once the clips are released.

Step 4: Lift the Air Filter Box Cover

• Use both hands to gently lift the air filter box cover just enough to access the filter.
• Do not pull hard on the intake tube or wiring nearby.
• If the cover feels stuck, check that all clips are fully released.

Step 5: Remove the Old Engine Air Filter

• Use your hands to lift the old engine air filter straight out of the lower air box.
• Look at how the old filter sits before removing it. The new filter must sit the same way.
• Use a clean shop towel to wipe loose dust from the inside edge of the air box.
• Do not let dirt fall into the intake opening.

Step 6: Install the New Engine Air Filter

• Use your hands to place the new engine air filter into the lower air box.
• Make sure the rubber sealing edge sits flat all the way around.
• The filter should fit without bending or crushing.
• If it does not sit flat, reposition it.

Step 7: Close the Air Filter Box

• Use both hands to lower the air filter box cover back into place.
• Make sure the cover is seated evenly on the filter seal.
• Use your fingers to snap the retaining clips back into place.
• No torque spec applies because this service uses hand-operated clips.

Step 8: Final Visual Check

• Use a flashlight to check that the air box cover is fully closed.
• Make sure every clip is latched.
• Confirm no shop towel or loose item was left in the engine bay.

---

✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start the engine and let it idle for 30 seconds.
• 👂 Listen for air hissing near the air filter box, which can mean the lid is not sealed.
• 🔍 Recheck the clips if the engine sounds louder than normal from the intake area.
• 🧾 No scan tool reset or infotainment reset is required for this repair.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $45-$90 USD equivalent (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $30-$55 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2-0.4 hours.

---

🎯 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.