2021–2024 Kia Seltos

2021-2024 Kia Seltos - Engine Air Filter Replacement

By Tom Becker ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026

🔧 Easy 10-20 minutes $20 DIY

Save $45 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $65

Quick answer: Engine Air Filter Replacement on a 2021–2024 Kia Seltos is rated Easy and takes about 10-20 minutes. No tools are required for this job, and parts cost about $20. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.

Quick Video Tutorial

Parts You Need

Total Cost

$20.00

Part Name	Part Number	Price	Buy
Engine air filter	—	$20.00	Amazon

About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.

💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps carefully

Prep and locate the air box

Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and shut the engine off. The air box is the black plastic housing under the hood, connected to the intake tube. OE filter: Kia 28113-Q5000 (fits 1.4L, 1.6L, 2.0L). No tools needed.

Open the air filter housing

Flip each metal clip off its catch with your thumb, then lift the lid straight up. The lid hinges on the intake-tube side, so tilt it up and back. Work stiff clips gently -- forced catches snap.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker

In my experience, Count the clips as you pop each one off, then count again on reassembly -- two seconds, and it catches the one half-latched clip that would whistle on the highway.

Remove the old filter and clean

Lift the old filter out and hold it to the light: pleats that block light were overdue. Vacuum the box bottom, wipe the sealing lip with a damp rag, and keep debris out of the intake tube. Kia's interval: 30,000 miles.

Install the new filter

Drop in the new filter (Kia 28113-Q5000 or equivalent), rubber seal fully in the groove, matching the old orientation. Press it flat with no raised corners -- it should drop in without force. If it fights you, recheck the part number.

🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado

I keep the new filter sealed in its box until the moment it drops in -- one dusty trip across the garage can load the pleats before the car ever sees it.

Reseal and verify

Seat the lid into the intake-tube hinge first, then flip each clip onto its catch until it locks. Finger-check the lid seal and snug the intake tube. Start the engine and idle a minute, listening for whistling.

All Done!

Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Installing the filter upside down or unseated so unfiltered air bypasses the element
• Leaving debris in the housing that then gets sucked into the intake
• Forcing clips/screws and cracking the plastic air box lid
• Reusing a heavily clogged filter instead of replacing it