🔧 Rogue - Engine Air Filter Replacement

You’ll be replacing the engine air filter inside the black plastic air box in the engine bay. This helps the engine breathe clean air and can improve performance and fuel economy if the old filter is dirty.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 15–25 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Make sure the engine is off, the key is out, and the engine is cool to the touch.
• 🛑 Do not smoke or use open flames near the engine bay.
• 🛑 Avoid dropping tools or debris into the air intake or air box.
• 🛑 Battery disconnection is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧰 10mm socket
• 🧰 1/4" drive ratchet
• 🧰 3" extension (1/4" drive)
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (medium)
• 🧰 Work gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses
• 🧰 Shop vacuum
• 🧰 Clean shop rags

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🧩 Engine air filter element (QR25 2.5L) - Qty: 1
• 🧩 Mass airflow sensor-safe cleaner (optional) - Qty: 1
• 🧩 Dielectric grease (optional, for electrical connectors) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📍 Park your Rogue on level ground, put the transmission in P, and set the parking brake.
• 📍 Open the hood using the interior hood release and then the hood latch under the front edge of the hood.
• 📍 Use the hood prop rod to securely hold the hood open.
• 📍 Make sure you have the new filter handy before opening the air box, to minimize dust getting in.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Locate the air filter box

• 🔧 Stand in front of your Rogue with the hood open.
• 🔧 Look slightly to the driver’s side of the engine bay for a black plastic box with a large rubber hose attached to it—this is the air filter box (also called the air cleaner housing).
• 🔧 Trace the large hose back toward the engine; the box at the front end of that hose is where the air filter sits.

Step 2: Inspect how the air box is held closed

• 🔧 On most 2020 Rogue SV models, the air box lid is secured with metal clips along the sides and may have one 10mm bolt on a front or side tab.
• 🔧 Look for 2–4 metal clips and check if there is a small bolt. This tells you if you’ll need the 10mm socket or just your hands.
• Take a quick picture so you remember how it sits.

Step 3: Release the air box clips and bolt

• 🔧 If your box has metal clips:
  • Use your fingers or the flathead screwdriver to gently pry each metal clip away from the lid and let it drop down out of the way.
• 🔧 If there is a bolt:
  • Use the 10mm socket with the 1/4" drive ratchet and 3" extension to remove the bolt securing the air box lid.
  • Set the bolt aside somewhere safe so it doesn’t fall into the engine bay.
  • No torque spec needed for removal.

Step 4: Open the air box lid

• 🔧 Gently lift the air box lid straight up on the side with the clips/bolt.
• 🔧 The opposite side of the lid usually has plastic tabs that slide into slots—do not force them; tilt the lid up and slightly back to free it.
• 🔧 Do not disconnect the big rubber hose unless necessary; just tilt the lid enough to access the filter.
• If it feels stuck, check for a missed clip or bolt.

Step 5: Remove the old air filter

• 🔧 Grasp the edge of the filter and pull it straight up and out of the air box by hand.
• 🔧 Note the orientation: which side faces up and which edge faces the engine. Your new filter must go in the same way.
• 🔧 Hold the old filter up to the light—if you can’t see much light through it, it was due for replacement.

Step 6: Clean the inside of the air box

• 🔧 Use the shop vacuum to carefully vacuum out leaves, dust, or debris from the bottom of the air box. Do not touch any sensor with the vacuum nozzle.
• 🔧 Wipe the inside surfaces of the air box with a clean shop rag to remove loose dirt.
• 🔧 If you see the mass airflow sensor near the air box (a small sensor in the air intake tube with a plug), do not spray or touch it unless you are using a dedicated mass airflow sensor-safe cleaner.
• Keep debris out of the open intake tube.

Step 7: Install the new air filter

• 🔧 Take the new engine air filter from the box and compare it to the old one—shape, size, and rubber sealing edges should match.
• 🔧 Place the new filter into the lower half of the air box, with the rubber sealing edge facing up and the pleats vertical, matching the original orientation.
• 🔧 Make sure the filter sits flat and fully inside its groove all the way around. No edges should be folded or sitting on top of the plastic rim.
• If it won’t sit flat, rotate it 180°.

Step 8: Reinstall the air box lid

• 🔧 Rotate the lid back into position, first engaging the plastic tabs on the fixed side into their slots on the air box base.
• 🔧 Once the tabs are seated, lower the lid evenly on top of the new filter.
• 🔧 Check that the lid edges line up fully with the base all the way around; no gaps should be visible.

Step 9: Secure clips and bolt

• 🔧 For the metal clips:
  • Push each clip back up over the lid edge by hand until it snaps firmly into place.
• 🔧 If your air box has a bolt:
  • Install the bolt by hand to start the threads, then use the 10mm socket and 1/4" drive ratchet to snug it down.
  • Do not overtighten; once it is snug and the lid is firmly seated, stop. For reference, similar air box bolts are typically around 5–7 Nm (4–5 ft-lbs), which is just more than finger tight.
• If a clip won’t reach, the lid or filter is misaligned.

Step 10: Final checks

• 🔧 Look around the air box and intake hose to be sure everything is fully seated and there are no tools or rags left in the engine bay.
• 🔧 Gently wiggle the air box lid and the large intake hose by hand—they should feel solid, not loose.
• 🔧 Lower the hood prop rod and close the hood securely.

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✅ After Repair

• 🚗 Start the engine and let it idle for a minute; listen for any unusual hissing or whistling noises near the air box that could indicate a leak.
• 🚗 If you disconnected any sensor plugs (usually not required), make sure there are no warning lights on the dash.
• 🚗 Take a short drive and check that the engine responds smoothly when you accelerate.
• 🚗 Plan to check the air filter at least once a year, or more often if you drive in dusty conditions.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60–$100 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15–$35 (parts only)

You Save: $45–$65 by doing it yourself!

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

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