2016-2017 Honda and Acura Replacement Air Filter Is Designed to Increase Power

The K&N replacement air filter is washable and reusable and is designed to boost the horsepower and rate of acceleration of Honda Pilots and Ridgelines and Acura MDX engines.

Japanese car manufacturer Honda is well known for its Accord and Civic sedans, but it also offers crossovers, SUVs, and mid-sized sport utility trucks. These include the Pilot, Ridgeline, and MDX.

The K&N replacement air filters come pre-oiled and ready to install right out of the box.

Introduced in 2002, the Honda Pilot was targeted at the North American market and is the largest SUV Honda offers. It shares its platform with the Acura MDX, the Odyssey minivan and the Accord sedan.

It features unibody construction and independent suspension with integrated perimeter frame rails so that it handles like a car, but it also has the capability of towing and performing in light off-road applications.

An aluminum alloy 3.5-liter SOHC 24-valve VTEC V6 engine powered the first generation Pilot, which debuted in 2002 and was offered through March of 2008. The engine delivered 240-horsepower at 5400 rpm and 242 lb-ft (328 N-m) of torque at 4500 rpm. The engine is integrated with a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Now in its third generation, which started in 2016, it is related to the Acura MDX and the Honda Ridgeline and is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that includes direct-injection and start-stop system. It is mated to one of two different transmissions –- a 6-speed automatic, which is standard, or a ZF 9-speed automatic. All-wheel-drive, the vehicle receives an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 19-mpg city, 27-mpg highway, and 22-mpg combined with the 6-speed transmission and 18-mpg city, 26-mpg highway, and 21-mpg combined with the 9-speed transmission.

The Honda Pilot has won a number of awards including:

• 2003 through 2008 Car and Driver Ten Best
• Intellichoice” Best Value of the Year”
• Edmunds.com “Most Wanted SUV”
• AMI Auto World “World Family Vehicle of the Year”
• Kelley Blue Book “Top 50 Most Popular Cars”

Released for the first time in 2005, the Ridgeline is a front or all-wheel drive sports utility truck with unibody construction, dual-action tailgate, and 5-foot (1.5-meter) in-bed trunk, which can be extended to 6.6-feet (2-meters) with the tailgate down.

Designed and engineered by Honda Research & Development Americas, the first generation model (which was available from 2005 to August 2014) includes a suspension design that permits space for storage below the bed. The hood design permits the use of a cold air intake system that draws outside air from above and in front of the radiator. This configuration helps torque production during high engine temperature conditions and enables deep water fording.

The Variable Torque Management Four-Wheel Drive System offers front-wheel drive for dry pavement cruising conditions and engaged all-wheel drive when needed to improve stability or maneuverability. The vehicle is capable of medium duty off-road use.

A transverse mounted V6 engine powered the vehicle from 2006 through 2008 and a 3,471 cc (211.8-cubic inch V6 powered it from 2009 through 2014. Both engines included an aluminum block with overhead camshafts, 24-valve variable valve timing and lift electronic control system with 10.0:1 compression, programmed fuel injection system and variable length intake manifold. It achieved an EPA fuel economy rating of 15-mpg city, 20-mpg highway, and 17-mpg combined.

The Ridgeline is currently in its second generation. It retains features from the first generation model including the in-bed trunk, dual action tailgate, and rear 60/40 split bench seat.

The Honda Ridgeline has received a number of accolades including:

• Motor Trend’s 2006 Truck of the Year
• 2006 North American Car of the Year for the truck category
• 2006 Canadian Car of the Year for the truck category
• 2006 Best New Pickup Category
• 2008 and 2010 SCORE Baja 1000 Winner for the Stock Mini-Truck Class
• First 4-door pickup to win five-star safety rating by NHTSA
• 2009 and 2013 IIHS Top Safety Pick for the pickup category
• 2015 SCORE Baja 1000 winner for unlimited open wheel class

Unveiled in 2000, the Acura MDX is a midsize 4-door crossover SUV that seats seven. It is the first crossover SUV to have a third-row of seating and shares a platform with the Honda Pilot.

The First Generation MDX, which was manufactured from 2000 to 2006, is an automatic four-wheel drive system that engages during off the line acceleration and when wheel slippage is detected.

Two 3.5-liter V6 engines were available to power the vehicle. One of the engines generated 240-horsepower and 245 lb-ft (332 N-m) of torque and was used in 2001 and 2002; the other engine delivered 265-horsepower and 253 lb-ft (343 N-m) of torque and was used in 2003 through 2006.

Now in its third generation, which started in 2014, a 3.5-liter direct injected Earth Dreams V6 with Variable Cylinder Management powers the Acura MDX. A front-wheel drive model is offered in the U.S. market, but not in Canada, where only an all-wheel drive is available. EPA fuel economy rating on the front-wheel drive model is 20-mpg city, 28-mpg highway, and 23-mpg combined.

Acura claims that the exterior is more aerodynamic than previous models reducing the drag by 16%.

Optional safety features include Lane Keeping Assist System and Collision Mitigation Braking System. The standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which includes stop and go capability.

Three engines are available to power the vehicle including a 3.5-liter SOHC i-VTEC Front Wheel Drive with 9-speed automatic transmission that delivers 290-horsepower at 6200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm, a 3.5-liter SOHC iVTEC All-Wheel Drive with 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that generates 290-horsepower at 6200 rpm and 267 lb-ft of torque at 4700 rpm, and a 3.0-liter SOHC iVTEC Sport-Hybrid All-Wheel Drive with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that achieves 325-horsepower.

It too has won a number of awards including:

• 2001 North American Truck of the Year
• 2001 Car and Driver’s Best Luxury SUV
• 2001 Motor Trend Sport/Utility of the Year
• 2007 Top Safety Pick
• 2010 U.S. News and World Report’s #1 Luxury Midsize SUV

K&N offers the 33-5041 replacement air filter for 2016 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX and 2017 Honda Ridgeline and Acura MDX.

The air filter is designed to improve horsepower and acceleration and will last up to 50,000 miles before it has to be cleaned, depending on driving conditions.

It lasts longer than other air filters because of its construction. The filter includes four layers of cotton gauze that have been treated with a special grade of filter oil. The oil makes the cotton strands so sticky they can capture and hold dirt particles or other impurities.

K&N offers air filter cleaning kits that are specially formulated to clean the filter and re-oil it, so it can be used again and again. K&N has no doubt the air filter will perform as promised and backs it with a Million Mile Limited Warranty®. The warranty claims that the air filter will last for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 million miles.

The filter works with OEM vehicle electronics and will not void the vehicle warranty. Finally, the air filter is designed to replace the factory air filter. Simply remove the used factory filter from the existing factory air box and drop in the new K&N air filter.

The K&N 33-5041 Replacement Air Filter fits the following vehicles:

2017 HONDA RIDGELINE 3.5L V6 F/I - All
2017 ACURA MDX 3.5L V6 F/I - All
2016 HONDA PILOT 3.5L V6 F/I - All
2016 ACURA MDX 3.5L V6 F/I – All

To find the proper air filter for your car, truck, or SUV check out the K&N search by vehicle tool.  K&N is always developing new air filters. If we do not have a filter for your vehicle at this time, please ask us to make one using the online product request form.