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Nissan Pathfinder Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to change the VQ35DE 3.5L V6 engine's air filter element in a 4th generation 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder SUV.

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2016 Pathfinder Air Box
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Two Metal Latches
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and probably also the updated 2017 model year) Nissan Pathfinder SUV in cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the VQ35DE 3.5 liter V6 motor.

Owners of other Nissan or Infiniti vehicles such as the Versa, Maxima, Juke, Rogue, Altima, Xterra, Sentra, Murano, Cube, Armada, Leaf, Quest, Frontier, Teana, 370Z, GT-R, Titan, G25, G37, M35, QX56, QX60 and M37 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement engine air filter elements with their part numbers include the following: ACDelco A975C, Champion CAP4309, K&N 33-2031-2, Wix 46116, Purolator A24278, AEM 28-20031 and Hastings AF882.

No tools are needed to access and replace the engine air filter.



 
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Flip Up First Metal Latch
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Right Fastener Released
The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

The black plastic engine air filter box is located next to the 12V automotive battery and behind the electrical fuse box.

There are two metal latches on the front edge of the engine air box.

Pull the metal latches off the bottom half of the air box and swing them up.

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Release 2nd Metal Latch
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Pull Out Old Air Filter
Once both metal latches have been released, lift off the top half of the air box.

Pull the old air filter straight out of the bottom half of the air box.

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Old Air Filter Removed
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Inspect Both Sides
Inspect both sides of the old air filter.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, pollen, soot, leaves, insects, twigs and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the ACDelco A975C engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you'd prefer to have a washable and re-usable filter, purchase the K&N 33-2031-2 which will need to be washed and re-oiled every 30,000 to 60,000 miles depending on your driving conditions.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a wet/dry shop vacuum.



 

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Clean With Vacuum
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Clean Out Bottom Half Box
If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, clean out any debris or sand in the bottom half of the air box.
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Install New Air Filter
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Line Up Tabs & Slots
Insert the new air filter in to the bottom half of the air box with the pleats facing down and the orange rubber gasket facing up towards you.

Line up the tabs on the rear edge of the air box cover with their corresponding slots on the bottom half of the air box.

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Close Top Half Air Box
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Secure Metal Latch
Slide the tabs on the top half of the air box in to the slots on the bottom half.

Lower the top half of the air box until it is flush with the bottom half.

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2nd Metal Latch Secured
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Engine Air Filter Replaced
Swing down the two metal latches on to the bottom half of the air box to secure the cover in place.

Double check that the two halves of the air box are flush together at every edge with no part of the new filter visible.

If you replaced the filter, be sure to record the change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, check out all of my 2013-2016 Nissan Pathfinder DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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