🔧 Altima - Engine Air Filter Replacement

You’ll be replacing the engine air filter inside the black plastic air box in the engine bay. This helps your engine breathe clean air, improves performance, and can slightly help fuel economy.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Make sure the engine is turned off and the key is out of the vehicle.
• 🛑 Let the engine cool for at least 10–15 minutes if it was just running; some nearby parts can be warm.
• 🛑 Do not unplug sensors or wiring near the air intake tube; they’re part of the engine management system.
• 🛑 Keep tools and loose items away from the radiator fan area; the fan can sometimes start with ignition on.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (medium size)
• 🧰 Phillips screwdriver #2
• 🧰 10mm socket
• 🧰 1/4" drive ratchet
• 🧰 6" 1/4" drive extension
• 🧰 Clean shop rag
• 🧰 Mechanic gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🧱 Engine air filter element (2.5L) - Qty: 1
• 🧱 Air box clips or screws (if any are damaged) - Qty: as needed

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🚗 Park your Altima on level ground, shift to Park, and apply the parking brake.
• 🔑 Turn the ignition off and remove the key or key fob from the vehicle.
• 🧤 Put on safety glasses and gloves to protect your eyes and hands.
• 📦 Open the hood using the hood release handle inside the cabin, then use the secondary latch under the front of the hood to fully open it and set the hood prop rod in its slot.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the engine air filter box

• Open the hood and stand in front of the vehicle.
• The air filter box is a black plastic box on the driver side of the engine bay, near the front, with a large plastic intake tube running from it toward the engine.
• Think “black box where the big plastic hose starts.”

Step 2: Inspect how the air box is held together

• Look around the top cover of the air box to see what holds it: metal clips, Phillips screws, or 10mm bolts.
• If you see metal clips: you’ll flip them open with your flathead screwdriver.
• If you see screws: you’ll remove them with your Phillips screwdriver #2 or 10mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet.
• Take a quick mental note of all fasteners.

Step 3: Release the air box cover

• If your Altima uses clips:
  • Use the flathead screwdriver to gently pry each clip away from the cover until it pops off the lip.
• If your Altima uses screws or bolts:
  • Use the Phillips screwdriver #2 or 10mm socket with the 1/4" ratchet and extension to loosen and remove all visible fasteners.
• Set clips/screws aside in a safe place so they don’t fall into the engine bay.

Step 4: Open the air box cover

• Gently lift the top of the air box cover. It may be hinged on one side or connected to the intake hose.
• If the intake hose limits movement, carefully wiggle and lift the cover just enough to access the filter. Do not force or bend the hose hard.
• Move it only as much as needed to pull the filter out.

Step 5: Remove the old engine air filter

• With the cover lifted, you’ll see the rectangular air filter sitting in the lower half of the box.
• Grab the filter by its edge and pull it straight up and out by hand.
• Note which side of the filter faces up and the direction of the rubber seal; you’ll need to install the new one the same way.

Step 6: Clean the air box (optional but recommended)

• Use the clean shop rag to wipe out any leaves, dust, or debris inside the air box.
• Do not spray water or cleaners inside; just dry wiping is enough.
• Keep debris from falling into the intake opening.

Step 7: Install the new engine air filter

• Take the new filter and compare it to the old one to confirm size and shape match.
• Place the new filter into the lower air box with the rubber sealing edge fully seated in the groove all the way around.
• Make sure the pleats (paper folds) are straight and the filter sits flat with no gaps.

Step 8: Reinstall and secure the air box cover

• Lower the air box cover back into place, making sure it sits evenly and the edges line up with the lower box.
• If there are tabs on one side of the cover, slide those tabs into their slots first, then close the opposite side.
• If using clips:
  • Use your flathead screwdriver (or fingers) to snap each clip back over the cover lip until it feels secure.
• If using screws/bolts:
  • Use the Phillips screwdriver #2 or 10mm socket on the 1/4" ratchet to reinstall and snug them down.
  • Do not over-tighten; just firm hand-tight is enough. Torque is low, about 3–5 Nm (2–4 ft-lbs).

Step 9: Final under-hood check

• Look around the air box and intake hose to confirm everything looks seated and even.
• Make sure you did not leave tools or rags in the engine bay.
• Remove the hood prop rod, secure it, and gently close the hood.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔑 Start the engine and let it idle for a minute; it should run smoothly with no unusual noises from the intake area.
• 🚗 Take a short drive and listen for any whistling or hissing near the air box, which would suggest the cover isn’t sealed correctly.
• 🧾 No scan tool or reset is required on your Altima for an engine air filter change.
• 📅 Plan to check or replace the filter about every 15,000 miles, or sooner if you drive in dusty conditions.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60–$100 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $20–$35 (parts only)

You Save: $40–$65 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2–0.3 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 above to add everything to your cart.