🔧 Grand Cherokee - Engine Air Filter Replacement

Replacing the engine air filter helps your Grand Cherokee breathe clean air, which supports smooth idle, fuel economy, and engine protection. This is one of the easiest beginner DIY jobs and does not require lifting the vehicle.

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

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Let the engine cool before working near the air box and intake tube.
• ⚠️ Keep loose clothing, jewelry, and fingers away from the radiator fan area.
• ⚠️ Do not run the engine while the air filter or air box cover is removed.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Shop vacuum
• Clean microfiber towel
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine air filter - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Grand Cherokee on level ground.
• Shift to Park and set the parking brake.
• Turn the ignition off and remove the key fob from the vehicle.
• Open the hood and support it securely.
• The air box is the large black plastic box on the passenger side of the engine bay connected to the intake tube.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the Air Filter Box

• Open the hood and stand at the front of your Grand Cherokee.
• Look on the passenger side of the engine bay for the black plastic air filter box.
• The air box has a large ribbed intake hose attached to it.
• Use your safety glasses and nitrile gloves before touching dusty parts.

Step 2: Release the Air Box Cover

• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to loosen the air box cover screws.
• The screws are usually captive screws, which means they stay attached to the cover and do not come all the way out.
• If the cover feels stuck, use a flathead screwdriver gently at the edge to help separate it.
• Do not pry hard.

Step 3: Lift the Air Box Cover

• Lift the air box cover upward just enough to access the filter.
• Do not pull hard on the attached intake tube.
• If more room is needed, use a flathead screwdriver to gently guide the cover past the air box edge.

Step 4: Remove the Old Engine Air Filter

• Pull the old engine air filter straight out by hand.
• Look at how the old filter sits before removing it fully.
• The rubber sealing edge should sit flat inside the air box.
• Take a quick photo first.

Step 5: Clean the Air Box

• Use a shop vacuum to remove leaves, sand, and dust from the lower air box.
• Use a clean microfiber towel to wipe the sealing surface where the filter sits.
• Do not push dirt into the intake tube opening.
• Do not spray cleaners into the air box.

Step 6: Install the New Engine Air Filter

• Place the new engine air filter into the lower air box by hand.
• Make sure the filter sits flat all the way around.
• The rubber edge must not be folded, pinched, or sitting on top of the air box lip.
• A poor seal lets dirt in.

Step 7: Reinstall the Air Box Cover

• Lower the air box cover back into place by hand.
• Make sure the cover sits evenly on the filter and air box.
• Use a Phillips #2 screwdriver to tighten the cover screws evenly.
• Tighten the screws snug only; do not overtighten plastic parts.
• Torque to snug hand-tight only; no published torque required for the air box cover screws.

Step 8: Final Visual Check

• Use a flashlight if needed to inspect the air box seam.
• Confirm the air box cover is fully seated.
• Confirm no tools or towels are left in the engine bay.
• If you used a flashlight, make sure it is removed before closing the hood.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and let it idle for about 30 seconds.
• Listen for hissing noises near the air box, which can mean the cover is not seated correctly.
• If the engine runs rough or a warning light appears, shut the engine off and recheck that the air filter and cover are seated properly.
• No scan tool reset or infotainment reset is required after replacing the engine air filter.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$120 parts + labor

DIY Cost: $20-$45 parts only

You Save: $40-$75 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.