BMW Air Filter Replacement Instructions

How to change the air filter in BMW X5 Diesel Engine, Do It Yourself BMW dirty engine air filter replacement guide

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This how to replace and change the air filter in a BMW was written to show owners how to remove a dirty BMW air filter from their car or SUV. This do it yourself BMW air filter replacement guide is specifically for the BMW X5 3.0L inline 6 cylinder twin turbo diesel air filter for BMW years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Although this BMW air filter guide was written for the E70 it may also be helpful to owners of the new BMW X5 Diesel F15 generation.

The X5 BMW 3.0 Liter Diesel engine air filter OEM replacement part number is the MANN filter C33001 and aftermarket replacement part numbers are Fram CA11013, K&N Air Filter 33-2959, Napa Gold FIL 9342 and AFE 30-10222 Magnum Flow. This BMW air filter replacement guide may also be helpful to owners of the BMW 1 Series, 3 Series, 4 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series, 7 Series, I3, X1, X3, X5, X6, Z4, M3, M5 and M6. Please check your owners manual for proper OEM factory replacement instructions and manufacturer recommended maintenance time intervals on how often to change your air filter. Read disclaimer.

Tools Needed: Wratching Socket Wrench and T25 Torx Bit
Air Filter Replacements: Mann Filter C33001, Fram CA11013, K&N Filter 33-2959, AFE 30-10222 Magnum Flow, Napa Gold 9342

Burn Warning: Let your engine cool down before you start to change the air filter in the BMW. A hot engine can cause serious burns to uncovered skin, please be careful. Please consult your BMW owner's manual for the proper air filter size replacement cartridge. First you will need to know where is the air filter in a BMW? The air filter housing in the BMW is located in the engine compartment so you will need to lift the hood of the BMW first before you can service the air filter.
BMW X5 Diesel Engine	Lift BMW Hood Release	BMW Hood Popped
The BMW hood release lever is located on the drivers side below the steering column, pull the hood release lever until you hear the BMW X5 hood pop. After you "pop" the hood latch you will need to go to the front of the vehicle to lift the hood of the BMW.
Press Hood Latch	BMW Hood Latch	BMW Diesel Engine
Feel under the front of the hood and pull hood latch to lift the hood. If your vehicle does not have the gas filled hood shocks you will need to prop the hood up with the hood rod.
BMW Engine Cover	Remove BMW Engine Cover	BMW Heat Shield Foam
The BMW diesel air filter is located under the engine cover. Lift the BMW engine cover up from the top of the engine, the engine cover is held on by metal engine cover retaining clips. The engine cover has a sound reducing foam underneath it to make the engine quieter and to help reduce heat.
Removed Engine Cover	BMW X5 Air Filter Housing	Remove Air Filter Clamps
The BMW diesel engine air filter housing is located on top of the engine in the rear of the engine compartment. In order to open the BMW air filter housing on the X5 diesel engine you will need to remove the air filter housing retaining clips in the front and on the side of the BMW air filter compartment.
Air Filter Retention Clip	Side Air Filter Clip	Top Mass Air Flow Torx Screw
The air filter cover retention clips are easily removed by pulling the top directly back away from the air filter housing on the BMW diesel engine (some models may have T25 Torx Head screws instead of clips). There are 3 retaining clips in the front of the housing and 2 more on the drivers side of the air filter housing. After you remove the air filter housing clips on the BMW you will need to use a T25 Torx head driver bit to remove the screws holding the BMW Mass Air Flow Sensor housing to the BMW engine air filter housing. You may also just remove the large hose clamp around the MAF sensor instead of removing the Torx screws and disconnect the sensor wire harness. I had trouble getting mine off this way so I removed the screws instead, your choice.

Bottom T25 MAF Sensor Screw	Remove Air Flow Housing	Lift BMW Air Filter Cover
There are two T25 Torx screws holding the air flow sensor on to the air filter casing, be careful not to drop them when removing the screws. Once you have removed the air flow sensor housing you may lift the BMW air filter housing cover off.
BMW OEM Air Filter Cartridge	Dirty BMW Air Filter	BMW Air Filter Housing
The X5 6 cylinder diesel engine air filter can then be lifted out of the air filter housing. If the old BMW air filter does not look dirty it may not need to be serviced yet. You should change your BMW air filter at least once a year or every 10,000 to 15,000 miles under normal driving conditions. A dirty air filter will cause the the engine to run rich which will decrease gas mileage and performance. While you have the filter out you should clean the air filter housing with a vacuum to remove any dirt or leaves.
OEM Mann Air Filter C33001	Install New BMW Air Filter	Air Filter Cover Rear
The OEM BMW X5 diesel engine air filter is a Mann filter C33001, but there are several after market companies that you can purchase a new BMW air filter replacement from like NAPA auto parts, Advanced Auto, Pep Boys, Discount Auto Parts or Autozone. Install a new BMW air filter for the X5 engine by placing it face down in the air filter housing. Line up the notches on the back of the air filter housing cover and close the lid.
Fasten Air Filter Housing Clamps	Side Air Filter Clip	Front Air Filter Cover Clamp
Press the BMW air filter cover holding clips back over the cover of the air filter housing until the pop in place.
Air Filter Housing Cover Replaced	Insert Mass Air Filter Sensor	Install Upper MAF Housing Screw
Reattach the Mass Air Flow Sensor housing to the BMW engine air filter housing, be sure to place the O-Ring inside the hole first and then insert the tube. If you do not pull the rubber O Ring off and place it inside the tube first it will be difficult to insert the plastic MAF sensor housing into the hole and get a good seal.
Lower Mass Air Flow Sensor Screw	Align Engine Cover Tabs	Replaced BMW Engine Cover
Replace the T25 Torx head screws that hold the Mass Air Flow Sensor housing on to the air filter box. Reattach the BMW X5 diesel engine cover by lining up the notches on top of the air cleaner hosing and press the engine cover down on to the engine and locking the BMW engine cover clamps into place on the bottom of the cover assembly. Please check your BMW owners manual before attempting any service repairs or maintenance on your vehicle for proper maintenance intervals and OEM replacement part numbers for your vehicle. Your owners manual should also tell you how often to change the air filter in your BMW. If you do not have an owners manual you can purchase a Haynes Manual or Chilton Manual at any auto parts store. BMW comes with a 4 year 50,000 mile maintenance plan that covers changing the air filter so you may be able to have the dealership change yours for free if you are still under the limit. This air filter guide is for the engine air filter only, the BMW cabin air filter is a separate filter. This BMW maintenance guide may also be helpful to owners of the 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, F20, F21, E81, E82, E87, E88, 114i, 114d, 116i, 116d, 118i, 120d, 125i, 125d, M135i, E90, E91, E92, E93, 316i, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 335i, 335is, F22, F23, 228i, 235i, F32, 428i, 435i, 420d, E60, F10, 528i, 535i, F12, F13, 640i, 650i, 640d, 650i, F01, 730d, 740i, 750i, 740Li, 750Li, X1, X3, X4, X5 E53, X6 and xdrive. Please see the How To Replace the Battery in a BMW Key Fob for instructions on changing a dead key fob battery and BMW Maintenance Guides for more helpful repair instructions.

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