By replacing your air filter on schedule, you help your Nissan Altima get enough air to its engine. Otherwise, the debris trapped in the filter element would block airflow and decrease efficiency or potentially cause catastrophic damage. Thankfully, it’s easy to change as long as you get the right part.
What’s the best air filter for the 2020 Nissan Altima?
For the 2.0L Altima, you can get an OEM air filter for about $20 or a K&N aftermarket filter for $58. For the 2.5L, you’ll pay $20 for OEM from NissanPartsPlus.com or under $60 for a K&N filter from Amazon.
Which air filter is the best one to get? How often do they need to be changed? Can you replace the filter on your own using basic tools? If you want the answers to these questions, just take a look at this guide to learn about 2020 Altima air filters.
How Often to Replace the Air Filter in Your 2020 Altima
Nissan recommends that you change the engine air filter in your 2020 Altima every 10,000 to 30,000 miles. If you have a lot of dust and pollen floating through the air in your region, then you can drop the service interval to under 10,000 miles.
The best way to keep an eye on the condition of your air filter is to check it at every oil change. With just a brief glance, your auto tech can tell if it needs replacement or will still effectively filter the air going into your engine.
If you’re handy with basic tools, you can even check and change your own air filter by following these steps:
- Disconnect the clips on the top of the airbox
- Lift the lid out of the way and remove the old filter
- Wipe down the inside of the airbox and lid
- Put the new filter inside and clip the lid in place
With those steps done, you can take your car for a test drive and verify that everything works as expected. If anything seems off, inspect the airbox and filter to make sure it’s all installed correctly.
Aftermarket vs. OEM: Which is Better for Your Altima?
Whether you have the 2.5L or 2.0L powerplant in your 2020 Altima, you have both OEM and aftermarket air filters at your disposal. These two engines use different air filter designs, so make sure the one you get is for your exact build.
The 2.0L engine uses an OEM filter that’s only $20, yet effectively cleans the air before it reaches your engine. For about $60, you can get a K&N filter instead, which improves airflow and is reusable with just a quick cleaning.
The OEM and K&N air filters for the 2.5L Altima are the same price and equally effective for that engine. It’s just shaped a little bit differently to provide the optimal amount of airflow for the bigger powerplant.
With either option, you are ensured the best fit when you go OEM. The stock option is also easier to change out since you just need to pull the filter and toss it in the garbage can.
Servicing the K&N air filter is a lot more involved since you have to clean it, dry it thoroughly, and reoil all the pleats. This could leave you without your car for at least several hours or cost more for the service if you take it to the shop.
When choosing between OEM and aftermarket filters for your Altima’s engine, you simply have to reflect on your preferences. As long as you only buy the highest quality parts, either option will work great and provide you with the car ownership experience you seek.
Photos: Nissan
