Toyota
Highlander Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to change the engine air filter in a
3rd generation 2014 to 2018 Toyota Highlander SUV with the 3.5L V6 motor.
 2017 Highlander Engine Air Box |
 Front Metal Latch |
 Flip Down Metal Latch |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the third generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and
perhaps also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Toyota Highlander SUV
in checking, cleaning or changing the air filter element for the
2GR-FE or 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6 engines. Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the 4Runner, Avalon, 86, C-HR, Camry, Corolla, iM, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Yaris, FR-S, xB, xD, tC, xA, CT 200h, ES 250, ES 300, ES 330, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, RX 300, GS 250, NX 300 and RX 350. A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers are as follows: EPAuto GP075, Fram CA10755, Toyota 17801-0P051, EcoGard XA6116, Wix 49430, Champion CAP10755, Premium Guard PA6116, Purolator A36116, Hastings AF1453 and K&N 33-2443. No tools are needed to access and replace the air filter. |
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 Second Metal Latch |
 Two Fasteners Released |
 Lift Up Air Box Cover |
| 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 just behind the 12V automotive battery, to the left of the main electrical fuse box and to the right of the engine. There are two silver metal latches on the right side of the air box that secure the two halves together. Flip the two latches down to release the air box cover. Lift up the air box cover to access the old air filter. |
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 Slide Cover To Right |
 Two Tabs & Slots - Right |
 Pull Out Old Air Filter |
| Slide the cover to
the right to disengage the two tabs from their slots on the bottom half of
the box. Pull the old air filter straight out of the bottom half of the air box. |
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 Old Air Filter Removed |
 Inspect Both Sides |
 Clean With Vacuum |
| Inspect both sides
of the old engine air filter. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, sand, soot, pollen, insects, leaves, hair and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the EPAuto GP075 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If you'd prefer to have the original "OEM" filter, the Denso / Toyota part number is 17801-0P051. If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. |
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 Clean Out Bottom Half Box |
 Toyota Denso 17801-0P051 |
 Lower In New Air Filter |
| If your vacuum has
a crevice attachment, clean out any sand or debris in the bottom half of the
air box. Lower the new air filter into the bottom half of the air box with the pleats facing down and the rubber gasket facing up towards you. |
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 New Air Filter Installed |
 Line Up Tabs & Slots |
 Lower Air Box Cover |
| Line up the tabs on
the left side of the cover with their corresponding slots on the left side
of the bottom half of the air box. Slide the tabs into their slots. Lower the top half of the air box down into place. |
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 Raise Metal Latches |
 Snap On Two Fasteners |
 Engine Air Box Secured |
| Raise the two metal
latches and snap them in place over the cover to secure the two halves of
the air box together. Double check that the two halves of the air box are flush together at every edge with no part of the new filter visible. Be sure to record the filter change in your vehicle's service records. Please check out all of my
2014-2018 Toyota Highlander DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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