Can the engine air filter be cleaned?
No. The book says the viscous paper element should not be cleaned and reused.
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In-depth guide
2019 Nissan Pathfinder
2019 Pathfinder engine air filter is a viscous paper element. Unclip the cover, do not wash the element, and do not run the engine with it off.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Element | Viscous paper. Do not clean and reuse it. |
| Removal | Push the tabs and pull the cover upward. |
| Dusty use | If operating mainly in dusty conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required. |
Source: owner's manual / last verified 2026-10-16 (2019 Nissan Pathfinder owner's manual, air cleaner (opens in a new tab)).
Difficulty, time, and cost are estimates when this guide gives them. Torque is a cited figure, or it is left off.
Main source: 2019 Nissan Pathfinder owner's manual, air cleaner (opens in a new tab), Nissan North America, Inc., published 2019-01-28, read 2026-10-16.
Clean rag
The note says to wipe the inside of the housing and the cover with a damp cloth when the filter is replaced.
| Item | Figure | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Element | Viscous paper. Do not clean and reuse it. | Air cleaner |
| Removal | Push the tabs and pull the cover upward. | Air cleaner |
| Dusty use | If operating mainly in dusty conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required. | Maintenance note on the air cleaner filter |
Push the tabs and pull the air-cleaner cover upward. Take the element out.
The viscous paper element should not be cleaned and reused. Replace it. Wipe the housing and the cover with a damp cloth.
The cover has to be seated in the housing and the clips latched. Do not start the engine with the cleaner removed.
2019 Pathfinder Owner's Manual and Maintenance Information. A printing line was not found in the pages read. The PDF file was created January 28, 2019. The air-cleaner steps are short because that is how the book writes them. The in-cabin microfilter is a different part, behind the glove box, and the same book sends that replacement to a dealer.
Oil and the filter behind the right wheel well are the engine oil guide.
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Part
Engine air filter for a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder
Viscous paper element. The manual does not print a part number. Do not clean and reuse the old element.
2019 Pathfinder air-cleaner section (opens in a new tab)Search Amazon.com (affiliate link) (opens in a new tab)As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tool
Clean rag
The note says to wipe the inside of the housing and the cover with a damp cloth when the filter is replaced.
No. The book says the viscous paper element should not be cleaned and reused.
Behind the glove box. The manual says if replacement is required, visit a Nissan dealer. A removal procedure for that filter is not printed in the section that was read.
The maintenance checklist is on the site now. The email list is not sending yet, so this box will not store an address.
Same repair, different model year. Use the page that matches the truck or car in the driveway. A figure on one year is not a figure for the next.
These guides cover the same kind of work. Their numbers belong to those vehicles, not to this one.
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