Engine Air Filter Replacement on Nissan Altima 2021

I replaced the air filter on my Nissan Altima 2021. Typically, you want to change your air filter every 12 months or every 12 thousand miles. The purpose of the air filter is to prevent dirt and air from getting around the filter and into the air intake inside the vehicle.

(Read through all instructions before starting the project)

Nissan Altima 2021

• 2.5 L 4-cylinder
• 248-hp VC-Turbo® (Variable Compression Turbo) engine[2, 3]
• 2.0-liter Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo®) DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine

Engine Cabin Air Filter

• STP Air Filter SA50060 - Click here for link
• Please consult with your owner's manual or a professional to determine which air filter fits your car before you continue beyond this point.

PHILLIPS-HEAD SCREWDRIVERS

• Depending on your vehicle model, you will need a Phillips-Head Screwdriver to gain access to the engine air filter compartment. - Click here for the link
• This Instructable will not be using a Phillips-Head Screwdriver

• Open the hood of your car.
• Locate the hood holder rod.
• Set up the hood holder rod into the designated hole.

This way you have an open workspace to work on without having to worry about the hood of the car falling on top of you.

Locate the Air Intake Box of your vehicle. This is where the air filter you will be replacing is stored at.

• Depending on your, your air filter box will be located either on the right or left.
• Mine is located on the right side.

Locate whether you can either Screws or Clamps that are holding the Air Filter Box in place. This varies for different vehicles.

• In my case, my vehicle has clamps which are marked in the photo
• In the case that you have screws, use your Philips head screwdriver to unscrew the screws.
• Then store the screws in a safe location for later use.

• Once you have located the clamps, remove the clamps with as much force as necessary.
• Take note that not much force is needed for the removal of the clamps.

• Gently grab the air filter box and slightly pull it towards you until it pops up.

• Lift up the top part of the box and pull the air filter out of its compartment.
• The air filter should slide right out of the box with no force necessary.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of the new air filter (left) and the old air filter (right). Make sure to insert the new air filter the exact old filter

• The new air filter should just slide right in with no resistance
• There should be no sort of force needed for inserting the new filter.
• If you are experiencing some sort of resistance, please make sure you are sliding it in the correct orientation
• If you continue having resistance, you may have the wrong air filter for your vehicle

• Use as much force as necessary to slide the lid of the air filter box back into its original location. You should hear a click when you place it into the correct position.
• If you place the lid into the incorrect position, you will not be able to continue with the following step.

If you have clamps:

• Use as much force as necessary to push the clamps into the air filter box to secure the lid
• If you are unable to reach safely secure the clamps onto the lid, go back to step 8.

If you have screws:

• Use your Philips screwdriver and the screws to secure the lid onto the air filter box.
• If you are unable to safely screw the screws into the lid without damaging the holes, go back to step 8.

• Unhook the hood holder rod.
• Locate the hood holder rod retainer and place the rod into the retainer.
• Close the hood.

• Disposing of the old air filter is simple. Place the old air filter into a plastic bag and place it into your outdoor trashcan for it to be picked up.