Why is it so hard to find an air filter

Discuss any maintenance you've done to your Vibe & Matrix and ask how to perform maintenance on your vehicle
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GoLowDrew
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Why is it so hard to find an air filter

Post by GoLowDrew »

I looked in 3 places. Two auto parts store and Walmart, and they don't sell it. In fact, they don't even list it as being available. I looked under both Vibe and Matrix with no luck. Must I go to a dealer?TIA
2004 Vibe, Auto Trans. Built Sept 2003. Date in service May 2004. Sold May 2006.
GoLowDrew
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (desert_dweller)

Post by GoLowDrew »

I wonder about that too (they have it in stock). Everytime I go for an oil change, they ask if I want to replace the filter. And I wonder, if you don't even sell it, how do I know you will put in the right one.
2004 Vibe, Auto Trans. Built Sept 2003. Date in service May 2004. Sold May 2006.
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joatmon
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (GoLowDrew)

Post by joatmon »

GoLowDrew, you're in Fremont? Stop in over at NUMMI and get one Or, maybe the NUMMI people run out of filters for the production line and raid the local stores, that's why there aren't any left.
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tnpartsguy
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Post by tnpartsguy »

Just get a K&N and be done........!
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GoLowDrew
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (joatmon)

Post by GoLowDrew »

Quote, originally posted by joatmon »GoLowDrew, you're in Fremont? Stop in over at NUMMI and get one Or, maybe the NUMMI people run out of filters for the production line and raid the local stores, that's why there aren't any left.So much for JIT production
2004 Vibe, Auto Trans. Built Sept 2003. Date in service May 2004. Sold May 2006.
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ColonelPanic
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter

Post by ColonelPanic »

"Here at Toyota, we're dedicated to building quality products! Therefore, our engines are so perfect that you'll never, ever, ever have to change your air filter!!!!!!" I went on the quest to get a damn air filter for my clunker tonight, geez... AutoZone, WalMart, Meijer... NOTHING. I can't remember where I bought the one that is in there now, maybe I had the dealer change it, I can't remember. From what I've found this *should* be the same filter as the Corolla... But geez, nobody seems to make one for that car either. You'd think someone like Fram, whose stuff you can get everywhere, would at least make one, but I didn't find them listed anywhere. It's not like the Corolla is a turd in sales, one would think with the sheer volume of Corolla sales, that someone would make a filter for the damn thing readily available at the local wherever....I'm going to try a few more stores tomorrow, if I can't find one I guess I'll have to get one from the dealer. Not really keen on going to the local Toyota dealer, I refuse to give those arrogant punks any of my money. Sheesh... AutoZone carries like 5 different types of spark plugs for this stupid engine, and not a single air filter.
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
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ColonelPanic
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (silverawd26)

Post by ColonelPanic »

Tried Matrix too -- it wasn't listed in the book, the computer, whatever... That's just crazy man...
03 Vibe base. Born 10/14/2002 06:07 AM
Auto, Moon & Tunes, power package. 143k
Neptune/dying clearcoat/primer grey. :lol:

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DaddyVibeMI
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (silverawd26)

Post by DaddyVibeMI »

Quote, originally posted by silverawd26 »Hmm... That is odd...... Have you tired http://www.autozone.com ?I just threw in Michigan City's zip on there and looked it up, came up with this:Brand is STPUnit Price: $13.99Part No.: SA9482 Go back tomorrow and see if they have that in stockI agree with you hard to find. I found those while surfing on google. Here what I found for air filter.A) K&N 33-2252B) STP SA9482C) Fram CA9482
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21Rouge
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (DaddyVibeMI)

Post by 21Rouge »

Quote, originally posted by DaddyVibeMI »Here what I found for air filter.A) K&N 33-2252How good is the expensive K & N air filters? What have your real world experience been with this filter in a Vibe...or any other car? Just curious if it lives up to its claims.
Jahntassa
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Post by Jahntassa »

If you're talking about the under-hood filter..I found mine in a local Auto-Zone. PepBoys didn't have it. However, I haven't found the A/C filter yet.
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
ToolGuy
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (GoLowDrew)

Post by ToolGuy »

Never have an issue finding one. Get mine at Murrays Auto stores, AC Delco part.
Stang2Vibe
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Re: (Jahntassa)

Post by Stang2Vibe »

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »However, I haven't found the A/C filter yet.You have to open up the glove box and remove it. The interior cabin filter is located behind the glove box. I believe it's still a dealer only item and costs over $30, so many people seem to be just blowing them out with compressed air and reinstalling the original or they take it out and just don't replace it. I think some other folks have gone out and bought a long-life furnace filter and just cut a piece of it to fit and used that for a cabin filter.
Former owner of a 2003 Vibe GT---Great car that gave me 8 years and 83,000 miles of trouble-free service.Current owner of a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited AWD.
Jahntassa
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Re: (Stang2Vibe)

Post by Jahntassa »

Quote, originally posted by Stang2Vibe »You have to open up the glove box and remove it. The interior cabin filter is located behind the glove box. No..I know where the filter is... I just don't know where to buy it that isn't the dealership..which, I believe..is what the thread is about..
2003 Vibe GT Lava"He inched his way up the corridor as if he would rather be yarding his way down it.""For a moment, nothing happened. Then, after a second or so, nothing continued to happen." - Douglas Adams...we all miss you
ToolGuy
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Re: (Jahntassa)

Post by ToolGuy »

Quote, originally posted by Jahntassa »No..I know where the filter is... I just don't know where to buy it that isn't the dealership..which, I believe..is what the thread is about..If you are talking cabin filters go here. I have bought two from this place...http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=11745
intertan
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Post by intertan »

I remember when we got our first vibe in for an oilchange and the tech pulled out a toyota air filter(shocked) but we had to order it from edmonton. came in the next day.
tklein74
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (GoLowDrew)

Post by tklein74 »

I found the air filter for the Vibe at http://www.autoanything.com/ca...lters
sloth
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter (tklein74)

Post by sloth »

Well I just purchased a air filter after going to walmart last night and them not even having one in the books for it I went to carquest. Of course they had to order it for me.
zionzr2
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Post by zionzr2 »

OEM under-hood Filter $18.At my local toyota Dealer
Digger
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Re: (zionzr2)

Post by Digger »

Do what I am doing. Replace the stock one with a K & N or go all the way and replace the whole thing with a short ram.
2005 AWD What's your story?It's a wonderful thingMomma always said "Help that is not helpful, is no help at all"
binary
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Re: (Digger)

Post by binary »

Quote, originally posted by Digger »Do what I am doing. Replace the stock one with a K & N or go all the way and replace the whole thing with a short ram.K&N - that's what I did. Saved the OEM filter for the wife's Vibe.
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BlackbeardBen
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Re: Why is it so hard to find an air filter

Post by BlackbeardBen »

Old thread, I know, but why start a new one?

Just got a new air filter tonight. I compared the STP SA9482 and Fram CA9482 at Autozone on my way home from work - and they're exactly the same filter (now, at least). Same plastic frame (even the gates and parting lines from the injection mold were exactly the same), same gasket, same filter material and thickness, and even the same model info print type.

The STP was a dollar less than the Fram so that's what I got. I had heard reports that the Fram filters were lower quality (flimsy) and thinner than the STP one. The Autozone website even had the STP weighing at 0.5 lb and the Fram at 0.35 lb. But they're exactly the same. They look to be pretty good quality for the price.

Just thought you guys might like to know.
2004 Vibe GT
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