Paul's Travel Pictures

Toyota Highlander Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the 3.5L V6 engine air filter element in a 2nd generation 2008-2013 Toyota Highlander SUV.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-001
2013 Highlander Air Box
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-002
Front 10mm Bolt
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-003
Rear 10mm Bolt
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 & 2013) Toyota Highlander in cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the 2GR-FE 3.5 liter V6 motor.

Owners of other Toyota or Lexus vehicle equipped with the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 engine such as the Avalon, Aurion, RAV4, Vanguard, Estima, Sienna, Camry, ES 350, RX 350, Kluger, Alphard, and Venza may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA9360, Toyota 17801-0H010, Purolator A35432, Pentius PAB9360, Mann-Filter MA 1027, Wix 46673, Premium Guard PA5432, AEM 28-20260, Ecogard XA5432 and K&N 33-2260.

The tools needed to change the filter include a 10mm socket, an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

A wet/dry shop vacuum can also be useful for cleaning the existing filter and the air box.



 
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-004
Loosen Front 10mm Bolt
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-005
Loosen Rear 10mm Bolt
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-006
Lift Off Top Half Air Box
The engine air filter box is located on the right (driver) side of the engine behind the 12V automotive battery.

The top half of the air box is held to the lower half by two 10mm bolts with one located near the front right corner and the second at the rear right corner.

Loosen the two bolts by turning them counterclockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench. The bolts will remain attached to the top half of the air box.

Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-007
Pull Tabs Out of Slots
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-008
Pull Out Old Air Filter
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-009
Inspect Both Sides
Slide the top half of the air box towards the right to disengage the two tabs from the slots on the bottom half of the air box.

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

Inspect both sides of the old engine air filter.



 

Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-010
OEM Filter By Denso
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-011
Clean With Vacuum
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-012
Clean Bottom of Air Box
If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum.

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

I recommend buying the Fram CA9360 since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

It's also a good idea to remove any sand or other debris from the bottom half of the air box with the vacuum cleaner.

Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-013
Insert New Air Filter
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-014
Insert Tabs In To Slots
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-015
Lower Top Half of Box
Check the new air filter for orientation markings such as "UP" or "FRONT" printed on the edges.

Insert the new filter in to the lower half of the air box.

Slide the tabs on the left side of the air box cover in to the slots on the lower half.

Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-016
Tighten 10mm Clockwise
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-017
Tighten Rear 10mm Bolt
Toyota-Highlander-Engine-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-018
Engine Filter Replaced
Push down the right side of the air box and tighten the two bolts by turning them clockwise with the 10mm socket and ratcheting wrench.

Check that the two halves of the air box are flush together all the way around with no part of the filter visible.

For more, check out my other Toyota Highlander DIY Repair Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info