This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the 4th generation ND (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021) Mazda MX-5 Miata in checking, cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the SkyActiv-G 2.0 PE-VPS 2.0 liter inline four cylinder motor.

Owners of other Mazda vehicles such as the Mazda2 (Demio), Mazda3 (Axela), Mazda5, Mazda6 (Atenza), CX-3, CX-5, CX-7, CX-9, RX-8 and MPV may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers include the following: K&N 33-5040, Premium Guard PA99218, AEM 28-50040 and MAHLE Original LX 4298.

No tools are required to access and replace the filter.

A wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the old filter in order to re-use it or for cleaning out the bottom half of the air box.

The black plastic engine air filter box is located just behind the coolant overflow bottle and in front of the large coolant hose with coolant filler cap.

There are two metal latches that secure the two halves of the air box together.

One latch is located at the front of the air box closer to the left side. The second latch is located on the back side of the box also near the left edge.

Gently flip down the two hinged metal latches away from the top half of the air box.

Slide the air box cover towards the left to release the two plastic tabs on the right side of the air box cover from their slots on the right side of the bottom half of the air box.

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

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

If you would like to have a washable and re-usable filter, I'd recommend buying the K&N 33-5040 engine air filter.

Otherwise, the Premium Guard PA99218 filter is an excellent choice for a disposable filter.

If the old filter is relatively clean, you can just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Clean out any sand or other debris in the bottom of the air box housing.

Make sure the new filter is fully seated in the air box.

Slide the tabs into the slots and lower the left side of the air box cover into place.

Make sure that the two halves of the air box are flush together with no parts of the new filter visible at the edges.

Be sure to record the filter change in your vehicle's service records.

(The service interval specification for the engine air filter is to change it at the same time as the engine oil and oil filter which is every 12 months or every 7,500 miles. The maximum service interval for the engine air filter is 36 months or 37,500 miles.)

For more, check out all of my 2016-2021 Mazda MX-5 Miata DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.