How to replace the air filter in a 2005 Honda CR-V

Replacing the air filter in your 2005 Honda CR-V is something you can easily do yourself and save some money, rather than pay a mechanic or service center to do it for you.  You can probably get a new air filter for $10-$15 from your local auto parts store ($12.47 right now on Amazon) and in around 10 minutes, you can have the old air filter out and the new air filter in.  The only tools you'll need are a #2 Phillips screwdriver and a pair of slip joint pliers or groove joint pliers.  (A strong pair of long nose pliers can also suffice.)

With the vehicle off, pop the hood (the release lever is located below the steering wheel, to the left, near where the driver's left leg would be) and go around to the front of the CR-V.  Open the hood and prop it up using the bar that lies across the front of the engine compartment.

Locate the air filter box.  It has three straight sides and one curved side, and it will be on the right side of the engine compartment, behind the battery.  There are five Phillips screws securing the top of the box; remove these screws and place them somewhere safe.  Next, use your pliers to release the pressure on the clamp on the hose coming out of the left side of the air filter box.  With the pressure released, move the clamp to the left, so it's not locking the hose to the air filter box.

You can now lift up the top of the air filter box.  It won't come straight out; you'll have to wiggle it.  Try to lift it up and toward the front of the engine compartment, since the large black hose is still connected.  As you lift it up, the hose on the left side will probably disconnect itself.  (If you find that you don't have enough wiggle room to remove the top of the box, you can disconnect the hose on the front side as well; one Phillips screw holds down the clamp on that hose.)

Once you have the top of the box out of the way enough to access the air filter, remove it by lifting it straight out.  If you have a rag, you can clean out the inside of the air filter box, but it's not necessary.  Install the new air filter by setting it down into the base of the air filter box, so that the round filter bottom fits over the round protrusion in the bottom of the box.  Then lower the top of the box back in place over the air filter.

Secure the top of the box with the five screws, then reattach the hose on the left side.  Use your pliers to release the tension on the clamp, then slide it back to the right to lock the hose onto the air filter box port.

Your new air filter is now installed.  Release the hood prop bar, close the hood, and your job is done.