The engine air filter plays a vital role in protecting your engine as it stops various debris particles from entering and causing damage. As debris adds up with every mile traveled, the air filter will reach its maximum dirt absorption capacity at some point. When this happens, the air flow resistance rises and affects the engine’s performance. So, it is important to replace the air filter at your vehicle’s specified maintenance interval. However, you may need to change your air filter sooner depending on your driving conditions.
This is an easy DIY that can save you a lot of money. For an overview of the procedure, check out the video above from YouTube channel, gtpiston04. While this video covers a GTS model, it also applies for the S, S Hybrid, S E-Hybrid, Turbo, and Turbo S models. You can find the parts and detailed instructions below.
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area.
- Ensure your engine isn’t hot so you don’t burn yourself.
- Park on a flat surface.
- Open the hood.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
Step 2: Gain access to the engine air filters.
- Your vehicle has two engine air filters, one on each side of the vehicle.
- As shown in the video, remove the plastic engine panels near the hood latch and the ones on the left and right side of the engine bay.
- The panels are just held on with plastic clips that can be removed with a flat head screwdriver.
- With both plastic engine panels removed, you should see both engine air boxes.
Step 3: Open the air filter housing.
- Starting with one side, separate the plastic engine air intake hose from the air filter housing by removing two T30 pins.
- To do this, rotate the left pin clockwise and the right pin counterclockwise until the pins line up with the visible notches; if you turn each pin the wrong way, you will break off a part of the pin.
- Once the pins are lined up with the tabs on the air filter housing, use pliers to pull them out.
- Next, pop off the two metal clips that hold the air filter housing together.
Step 4: Replace the engine air filter.
- Separate the engine air intake hose from the air filter housing cover and pull the air filter housing cover off.
- Remove the old engine filter.
- Vacuum the air filter housing to prevent any debris from getting into the engine
- Insert the new engine air filter.
- Re-install everything.
