Passenger compartment air filter maintenance

Post by **NSimkins** » Sat Sep 28, 2002 6:25 am

Level of difficulty: EasyDon't forget, there is an interior air filter inside the vehicle that filters both outside and recirculated air. Refer to page 6-22 and 6-23 of the 2003 owner's manual and page 3-23 and 3-24 of the 2004 owner's manual for instructions on how to access, remove, clean, and replace the filter.However, there is a small error in the manual on how to remove the cover to the filter. The manual states you have to push up on the cover clips (step 3), but actually you have to push the clips down to remove the cover. See picture below:I just cleaned out my filter and was surprised that after only a few months, the filter was pretty soiled. There was alot of fallen tree debris and some dust.I would recommend everyone to check theirs out when they get a chance.

Campbell · Post by **Campbell** » Tue Oct 01, 2002 5:15 am

I just checked mine a couple days ago. Lots of dust in it. I took it out so I could spray Lysol in the intake and kill the mildew smell in the ducts, then I cleaned it and put it back in.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 4:33 am

You know, I knew about the error in the owners manual, I had seen this thread and also the discussions in other threads like http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5823, but that still didn't keep me from lifting up those tabs and breaking them right off. I wish I could blame the error in the book so I wouldn't feel so stupid, but didn't look in the book first anyway.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 6:24 am

quote:but that still didn't keep me from lifting up those tabs and breaking them right off. That must be how the dealer broke my tabs. I went in to take a lok at the new filter, noticed one of the tabs was snapped right off, and it was definitely not like that a week or so before I had taken it in...

engine1 · Post by **engine1** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 7:58 am

Is every one using the Toyota filter? The GM number is 15-627-15, it list out at about 65 bucks but I ground my dealer down to 35 when I told him I could get the Toyota one for 34 and change, I didn't tell him the Toyota one doesn't fit, but oh well!

Altus · Post by **Altus** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 11:38 am

quote: I didn't tell him the Toyota one doesn't fit, but oh well!Since when doesn't the Toyota one fit? That's what's in my car right now.....

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 12:01 pm

At that price, I think I'll get one of those high grade 3M furnace filters, snip it into about a dozen Vibe-size bits, and fit each with a duct tape handle ...

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 12:01 pm

quote:Since when doesn't the Toyota one fit? That's what's in my car right now.....Same here...

engine1 · Post by **engine1** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 4:15 am

Its too wide, I would have had to crush the end of it. I prefer to put back exactly what was taken out, dimensionally that is.

Altus · Post by **Altus** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 7:28 am

Hmmm.... I think you must have been given the wrong one then...The one I've got in there right now I got from a Toyota dealer (not because of price, but he's WAY closer to me than the nearest Pontiac) and it's an EXACT match for the original....

engine1 · Post by **engine1** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 11:33 am

This is weird have have read other threads with people having the same issues as I, and others using the Toyo one without a problem. Sounds like a mid run engineering change, or maybe changing suppliers, all I know for sure is that the OE Toyota one I was sold was larger than the Delphi produced element in my car. Is this the part number you used 88568-02020.

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Mon Oct 13, 2003 7:56 pm

I bought one from a Toyota dealer for a Matrix and it would not fit. Too big! I got one from Pontiac for 31$ They did not have it in stock-Special order.

cool vibes · Post by **cool vibes** » Tue Oct 14, 2003 1:52 am

I have taken my filter out awhile ago and washed it out,its still holding together no problems, i wonder if you can use KN air filter products on these cabin filters to clean&oil them????

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Oct 27, 2003 12:24 am

Purolator (http://www.pureoil.com/) now lists a Cabin Air Filter for Matrix, part number C35491, but no picture. Wix (http://www.wixfilters.com) lists separate cabin air filters for Matrix and Vibe, gives different dimensionsMatrix Vibe24873 24871 Wix Part Number8.625 8.110 length7.875 8.070 width0.765 0.787 heightwix 24873 Now I have to go measure the one that's in the car. EditI measured my OEM cabin air filter, it is 8 3/16 L 8 1/16 W 13/16 Hwhich is 8.19 L 8.063 W x .0.813 H (all in that old inches system)(The height was the paper edge, which is a bit larger than the thickness of the actual filter element.)So, allowing for error in measurements, the WIX Vibe filter is the closest fit. The WIX Matrix filter would be about a half inch too long. Since the purolator C35491 cross references to the WIX 24873, it is probably 1/2 inch too long also.So, it seems that at least according to WIX, the filters are different sizes for Vibe and Matrix, and their Vibe filter is the match for the OEM filter out of my vibeThe OEM filter has this written on the side, some part of it must be a part number:micronAir TY02116P 2134 14 4928 >PETDELPHI 52 493 428 MADE IN USANext will be to see if I can even find a WIX 24871.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:25 am

Tried a store that carries WIX filters, but they didn't have it in stock, price was $33. Tired a different store, NAPA also has one, didn't get part number, also not in stock, price also $33.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:28 am

These things are way too expensive. Filter gets removed next time, and not replaced.

byounger · Post by **byounger** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 9:08 am

Wow!Good idea. Thanks. Especially with all of the ashes from the fires here in not so sunny right now california. I'll bet my filters have taken quite a beating. I'll check em out. Any idea as to whether or not use Air Con to help reduce build up through filters over time?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 1:48 pm

What's "Air Con?"

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:36 pm

The air entering the cabin passes through the filter whether you are running the AC or not, so you might as well run the AC and be comfortable. I don't know if RECIRC still goes through the filter or not. The cabin air filter is a convenience thing, keeps dust/ash/bugs/pollen/whatever from coming through to your interior air duct outlets. If you are having ash problems, the engine air filter is the one that you should be worrying about. If you have the stock air box (no CAI/short ram stuff) realize that when you check the filter, it's the bottom that will get dirty, not the top side you see when you just pop the cover. Have to pull the filter out of the air box to check it.

DavidPIL · Post by **DavidPIL** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 2:44 am

Hey guys...I have a question about the filter... I have a Honeywell air Cleaner in my bedroom, it uses a Charcoal Pre-filter which is relatively thin but catches most of the dust particles... Now, I haven't removed my filter yet but would one of these work in front of the actual filter to extend it's life? If the cost is so high, a cheap $10 roll of charcoal pre-filter which could yield 6 or 7 (or more) replacements would be well worth the investment.Dave

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 11:03 am

It might work, but the filter is a tight fit in there, it might be hard to get the filter and the extra charcoal filter layer in there.

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Sun Nov 02, 2003 1:57 pm

If someone could find a more narrow filter that could be cut to fit the filter box, it could be done.

cool vibes · Post by **cool vibes** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 1:12 am

I don"t know if you people can recall back in the summer i took my filter out and sprayed some Orange Blast on it and washed it out with warm water and it came out very clean"" Put it back in checked it about last month and its holding up very well""

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 1:30 am

I remember, it was http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5823There was some debating in that thread, but I thought it was a great idea.

HammerHead · Post by **HammerHead** » Mon Nov 03, 2003 7:54 am

You know, I knew about the error in the owners manual, I had seen this thread and also the discussions in other threads like http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=5823, but that still didn't keep me from lifting up those tabs and breaking them right off. Who knew that Pontiac didn't know what they were talking about....I snapped mine right off too. It really pissed me off. Then I check and they are 35 bucks. So, I cleaned mine and put it back in.

DavidPIL · Post by **DavidPIL** » Tue Nov 04, 2003 1:40 am

Hi joatman...Yeah, just took it out today. Didn't realize it fit into a tight slot, thought it was similar to the intake filter where you just dropped it in or fastened it to an opening. Not sure a charcoal filter would work unless the filter was about 1/4" less thick else it's surely going to bind on something as it slides in.I sprayed it down with a 10 to 1 mixure of a generic cleaner, rinsed fairly easily and now, an hour later, is almost completely dry. Definitely no need to buy a new one each time unless it starts falling apart.Dave

shibaman · Post by **shibaman** » Sat Nov 22, 2003 11:54 pm

I used some greased lightning to wash my filter and rinsed it clean. If I had known how strong it was I would have never bought a new one. The material reminds me of the pleated pool filters that you clean.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Tue May 03, 2005 1:52 pm

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins Â»However, there is a small error in the manual on how to remove the cover to the filter. The manual states you have to push up on the cover clips (step 3), but actually you have to push the clips down to remove the cover. Now, I'm not asking for the moon or anything, but I just checked and in the 2005 Vibe owner's manual, on page 3-24, it specifically STILL says to lift the snaps. When you get the Pontiac people to show up at this year's Michigan megameet, slap them silly and tell them to fix this error in the owners manual.

GMJAP · Post by **GMJAP** » Wed May 04, 2005 12:06 am

Yeah..... I missed this info on the error, and when I went to change my air filter..... "@#$@!!!!"

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:11 pm

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins Â»However, there is a small error in the manual on how to remove the cover to the filter. The manual states you have to push up on the cover clips (step 3), but actually you have to push the clips down to remove the cover. The 2006 Vibe Owners Manual continues the error still, as shown on page 3-23:Unless they have changed the design of the filter access door, which I doubt but is theoretically possible. We'll have to wait for an 06 owner to verify it.

Attached files

Post by **NSimkins** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 8:42 am

Quote, originally posted by joatmon Â»The 2006 Vibe Owners Manual continues the error still, as shown on page 3-23Kinda cool, received this today pertaining to this exact error:Quote Â»Thanks for the input......the Owner's Manual group will be updating theowner manual for all subsequent printings starting with the 2nd printingfor 2007 updating one piece of art and step 3 in the procedure.This is the kind of things we need to know about - thanks again.Nice!

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:10 am

Tell those folks they need to read genvibe more often good job Nick

Mrizzle05 · Post by **Mrizzle05** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:59 am

^^^ LOL good one.... we almost no everything about the car and they made them.

chemikalguy · Post by **chemikalguy** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 2:54 am

I just found Gen Vibe, and I must say I'm glad I did. I was scanning the threads and saw this one. I'm particularly angry at this point. When I bought my vibe in Oct of 2002 (it's a 2003), I asked about these cabin air filters, and was told by the dealer that mine was a mid-year alteration, and that it didn't have one. Of course, I believed them.After reading this thread, and seeing the pictures of where it is and how to change it, I discovered, much to my dismay, that I do in fact have one. The funny thing is that I've complained the last two summers that my A/C didn't work as well as my wife's car. When I pulled this thing out, it has so much crud in it, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that's why it doesn't work very well. I keep it running full blast during my 25-30 minute drive home, and it makes the heat 'tolerable'. Of course, it's been 100+ degrees every day for the last three weeks, but if someone can run theirs in Vegas and be cool enough, I should be able to also. I guess my next goal will be finding a replacement. I've seen some links in this thread, and will definitely be checking them out.Scott

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:23 am

Quote, originally posted by chemikalguy Â»I just found Gen Vibe, and I must say I'm glad I did.we're glad you did too!mine was getting pretty nasty, so I just took it out. One of these days I'm going to put a new one in there

MadBill · Post by **MadBill** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:43 am

Been ages since I've been on the site. Good thing I'm still on copy for old threads; I'm way overdue for a new filter, in my '03, especially since I've only vacuumed it, not replaced it!

chemikalguy · Post by **chemikalguy** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:16 am

I don't feel quite so bad, then. I'm going to pull it out before I drive home to see if it makes a difference in my A/C performance.

chemikalguy · Post by **chemikalguy** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:27 pm

So, I pulled the filter out before I left work and drove home. I did notice a difference in the performance of the A/C. I didn't have to run it full blast all the way home like I usually do, and it was even 101F yesterday. Thanks!

VivaVibe · Post by **VivaVibe** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:07 am

Quote, originally posted by cool vibes Â»I don"t know if you people can recall back in the summer i took my filter out and sprayed some Orange Blast on it and washed it out with warm water and it came out very clean"" Put it back in checked it about last month and its holding up very well"" Well I finally checked my cabin air filter, after having the car seven months; purchased used. And I remembered to push down on the tabs (thanks) and it came out very easily. Man was it nasty! Took your advice and cleaned it; vacuumed it and then used Simple Green and a brush. Reinstalled and then immediately ordered new ones from cgenterprises.com Expect the old one to be OK, but prefer to start with a fresh new one. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference as the high temps here are hovering in the 95-100F range with high humidity. Today it only got up to 85F so it's not a good day to compare the difference.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 4:20 am

I have not had my cabin filter in my car for about 6-7 months now. I took it out because it was so filthy, and I forgot about it untill now. I still won't get it because I have other things I would rather spend my money on right now.

VivaVibe · Post by **VivaVibe** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 5:04 am

Quote, originally posted by ajflan Â»I have not had my cabin filter in my car for about 6-7 months now. I took it out because it was so filthy, and I forgot about it untill now. I still won't get it because I have other things I would rather spend my money on right now.Considering how much junk the filter collected, I'm not sure that is a good idea. Where does that stuff go if not stopped by the filter? $15 or so doesn't seem like a great deal of money. But then again, I'm in FL and probably use my AC more than you.

ajflan · Post by **ajflan** » Sat Aug 25, 2007 7:24 am

Yeah, I don't use ac that often. And it probably just spits all the crap in my face now inistead of catching it in the filter. That way it feels like I have the windows down when I don't!

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:28 am

Quote, originally posted by NSimkins Â»However, there is a small error in the manual on how to remove the cover to the filter. The manual states you have to push up on the cover clips (step 3), but actually you have to push the clips down to remove the cover. See picture below:For what it's worth, finally, (FINALLY) the 2008 owners manual includes the correction to how to access the cabin air filter.

lovemyraffe · Post by **lovemyraffe** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:14 am

Hey! That's the door I broke off when changing it!

Kamikaze · Post by **Kamikaze** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:38 am

For the newbie's so they don't break off their tabs on the cabin filter like everyone else has (me included)....Read above! This is a must read when going to replace your cabin filter, or to even figure out what the cabin filter is...

Hellga · Post by **Hellga** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:54 am

A bit of thread necromancy here:I just tried this, and somehow broke the crap out of my air filter. Like, the glue holding the filter to the side things must have been dead, because the thing just pulled out without those side tabs.I now have a really really long sheet of dusty stuff, and a car with no filter.Should I try using a piece of filter from a furnace or something, or should I take money out of savings to buy the real thing? (and yes, I know they're not horribly expensive, but right now I can't even afford cat litter or dishwasher detergent).

keithvibe · Post by **keithvibe** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:14 am

Quote, originally posted by Hellga Â»A bit of thread necromancy here:I just tried this, and somehow broke the crap out of my air filter. Like, the glue holding the filter to the side things must have been dead, because the thing just pulled out without those side tabs.I now have a really really long sheet of dusty stuff, and a car with no filter.Should I try using a piece of filter from a furnace or something, or should I take money out of savings to buy the real thing? (and yes, I know they're not horribly expensive, but right now I can't even afford cat litter or dishwasher detergent).my question to you would be, why did you even try to remove it if you didn't have one to replace it or the money to buy one? cheap way would be the furnace bit... but you will spend just as much money on a GOOD furnace filter as you will on the correct filter it self. Not to mention the time you will put in to making the furnace filter cut to size to fit correctly in the location because you don't have a filter currently you can use as a model.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:25 am

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe Â»my question to you would be, why did you even try to remove it if you didn't have one to replace it or the money to buy one? it was my idea, in http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=33312 based on no increase in air flow betweeen middle and high fan settings. Maybe the filter clogged to restrict air flow, worth a look.On mine I just took it out and didn't replace it. So now I breathe unfiltered air, but I usually have a window open anyway. It's not like I'm running the car with no engine air filter. There are a number of threads about home made replacements, I think someone has posted a good web source for real ones at a good price

Hellga · Post by **Hellga** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:29 am

I pulled it out without a replacement because so many other posters pulled theirs out, washed them, and reused them. I somehow thought it would be the sort of filter that didn't fall apart easily.As far as the cost of replacement vs. cutting down a bigger filter, I'm thinking one of those big furnace/ac filters would make like 6 of these, and I actually do have a template, because I have the old filter for width and the carboard tabs that were on the sides for length.And, really, if I can't find an adequate replacement, I'll just run it without a filter until I get birthday money next month. I keep it on recirc all the time anyway, so it shouldn't be a huge problem.Thanks for being a jerk about it, though.Oh, and joatmon, it blows like crazy now! It almost peeled my eyelids off! Thank you sooo much for the tip

Vibrator08 · Post by **Vibrator08** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:24 pm

As an update, the 2008 manual has information on 3-23 and 24. The error in step 3 is corrected. GM Part number is 8871573. Other Part Number is CF134.Wat does it mean "Other part Number"?