How to Put in Air Filter: Steps and Gear
Open the air box, swap the old filter for the new one and close it up, with four engine filters compared by fit, life and warranty.
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To put in an air filter, open the air box, lift out the old filter, set the new filter in the same way round and close the box. The question is really about fitment: how to put in air filter is a matching job, so match the filter to the year, make and model first, then check whether the vehicle is a hybrid.
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Below: the steps, how to match a filter to the vehicle, and the gear itself.
K&N Engine Air Filter:Long Life 18,000 Mile
A long-life engine air filter for 2002-2026 Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs, rated up to 18,000 miles with up to 99% efficiency.
Pros
- Rated up to 18,000 miles, 50% longer than standard 12,000-mile filters
- Up to 99% efficiency to protect the engine
- 1-Year Limited Warranty stated
- Fits F150, F150 Raptor, Expedition, Navigator, F250 to F650
Cons
- Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs only
- No cabin filter included
- 18,000 miles is under normal highway driving conditions
- Single filter; no spare in the box
Cabin & Engine Air Filter Kit for Toyota RAV4
A cabin and engine air filter kit for Toyota RAV4, Camry, Highlander and Avalon and Lexus ES350, with filters rated up to 20,000 miles.
Pros
- Two filters in the box: engine and activated carbon cabin
- Engine filter rated up to 20,000 miles
- Activated carbon cabin filter
- 1 Year warranty stated
Cons
- Not for hybrid vehicles
- Life claims disagree: 200% longer for the engine filter, 30% longer for the cabin filter
- Title lists fewer vehicles than the bullets
- No efficiency standard stated
Capume for Engine Air Filter JM7050 Fits
An engine air filter for Toyota and Lexus hybrids, Subaru BRZ and Mazda CX-50 Hybrid, with a recommended change every 12,000 miles.
Pros
- Fits Toyota and Lexus hybrids, plus BRZ and CX-50 Hybrid
- Recommended change every 12,000 miles, or per the owner's manual
- 90-day warranty stated
- Lists many replacement part numbers for cross-checking
Cons
- Not fit for RAV4 XLE models, while also listing RAV4 Hybrid fitment
- Title lists fewer vehicles than the bullets
- No efficiency figure stated
- 90-day warranty, the shortest here
BOSCH 5499WS Workshop Engine Air Filter
A workshop engine air filter with 98% efficiency at capturing dirt, for select Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs.
Pros
- 98% filtration efficiency in removing small particles
- High number of pleats for particle holding capacity
- Polyurethane foam seal protects against water and heat intrusion
- Fits a wide range of GM trucks and SUVs
Cons
- No mileage or change interval stated
- Warranty field only says 'Per Contract with Amazon', with no term
- Fitment depends on trim level and engine; verify with the fit checker
- Single filter; no cabin filter included
How to put in air filter: the steps
Open the air box, lift out the old filter and set the new one in the same way round, then close the box. The listings give no vehicle-specific steps: the shape of the job is the same, but how the box opens differs by vehicle, so follow the vehicle manual for the fasteners.
| Filter | Fits | Life or interval stated | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| K&N KNA-2385 Filter | 2002-2026 Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs | Up to 18,000 miles | 1 Year Limited |
| Forccord Filter Kit | Toyota RAV4, Camry, Highlander, Avalon; Lexus ES350 | Up to 20,000 miles | 1 Year |
| Capume JM7050 Filter | Toyota and Lexus hybrids, Subaru BRZ, Mazda CX-50 Hybrid | Replace every 12,000 miles | 90 days |
| Bosch 5499WS Filter | Select Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs | Not stated | Per Contract with Amazon, no term |
Check the fitment list before ordering, because a filter that looks right can still be wrong for the trim or the hybrid version.
How to match the filter to the vehicle
Start with the vehicle. The Forccord kit fits non-hybrid Toyotas and the Lexus ES350 and is not for hybrid vehicles, while the Capume fits Toyota and Lexus hybrids and several non-hybrid Toyotas, plus the Subaru BRZ and the Mazda CX-50 Hybrid. The K&N fits Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs, and the Bosch fits select Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs. The Capume listing advises using Amazon’s My Garage tool to check the fitment, and the Bosch listing says to verify specific fitment details with the fit checker because trim level and engine affect fitment.
Then check the interval. The Capume listing recommends changing the air filter every 12,000 miles, or as recommended in the owner’s manual. The K&N listing states the filter only needs replacing every 18,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions, or 1.5 years based on 12,000 miles driven per year. The Forccord listing states each filter is engineered to last up to 20,000 miles.
Then check whether the job needs a cabin filter as well. The Forccord kit is the only one here with a cabin filter: an activated carbon cabin filter alongside the engine filter. The other three are engine filters only. The Forccord listing gives the signs to replace, split by filter: a musty smell inside the vehicle, excessive noise when the A/C is running, or the A/C on but still hot point to the cabin filter, while strange engine noise, black smoke from the exhaust, or a smell of fuel when starting the vehicle point to the engine filter.
The gear: how to put in air filter
Each filter below handles the fitment step for a different set of vehicles: match the vehicle first, then check the life and the warranty.
Handling air filters safely
The listings state different efficiency figures for their own media, with no standard stated, so the figures are not directly comparable: the K&N states up to 99% efficiency to protect the engine, the Bosch states 98% efficiency in removing small particles, and the Forccord states its paper absorbs 99.9% of impurities. The Bosch foam seal protects against water and heat intrusion. Follow the vehicle manual.
Use rated jack stands on solid ground, wear eye protection with power and air tools, keep fuel-burning equipment out of a closed garage, and follow the manual for every tool. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
How do I know which air filter fits my car?
Match the year, make and model to the fitment list, and check the part number: CF12157 and CA12377 for the Forccord kit, KNA-2385 for the K&N, CP7050 for the Capume and 5499WS for the Bosch. The Capume listing advises using Amazon’s My Garage tool to check the fitment.
How often should I replace an engine air filter?
It depends on the listing: the Capume recommends every 12,000 miles, or as recommended in the owner’s manual, the K&N states every 18,000 miles under normal highway driving conditions, and the Forccord states each engine filter is engineered to last up to 20,000 miles. The Bosch states no interval.
What is the difference between an engine air filter and a cabin air filter?
An engine air filter cleans the air going into the engine, while a cabin air filter cleans the air inside the vehicle. The Forccord kit includes both: an engine filter and an activated carbon cabin filter. The other three filters here are engine filters only.
Do hybrid Toyotas take a different air filter?
They can. The Forccord kit is not for hybrid vehicles, while the Capume fits Toyota and Lexus hybrids such as the Camry Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Highlander Hybrid and Sienna. Check the fitment list for the hybrid version of the vehicle before ordering.
What does 99% efficiency mean?
It is a maker claim about how much of the incoming dirt the filter captures. The K&N states up to 99% efficiency, the Bosch states 98% efficiency in removing small particles, and the Forccord states its paper absorbs 99.9% of impurities. No standard is stated in any of the listings.
Are these filters covered by a warranty?
Three state a term: the Forccord kit has a 1 Year warranty, the K&N has a 1-Year Limited Warranty, and the Capume has a 90 days warranty. The Bosch warranty field only says Per Contract with Amazon, with no term.
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