GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I'm having an issue replacing my cabin air filter. I think I only took it out 1 time about a year ago just to see where it was. However last couple of days my vents have been smelling mildewy, so I figure time to check or change filter. I take the old one out, and find out that its got a large pinch in the side toward the front of the car. Not sure what caused it, but flipped it around and put it back in. Made trip to Autozone right away and get new STP filter. Try to put this new one in, same thing! It gets pinched as I try to slide it all the way back. The sides of the filter box get narrower at the back and pinch the filter together. Am I putting it in wrong? I put it back the way it came out, but maybe I put it back in wrong a year ago and didnt know? HELP!

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Well that's not good! I'd get a flashlight and have a look in there! It should just slide right in.

Mine does the same thing. Before I could get it all figured out I broke the loop off that holds the tab on the left side of the cover. Be careful!I think it is supposed to go in the other way. It looks like it is protruding but see if you can (carefully!) close the cover on it.

So I should turn it 90 degrees? Ill try to take a pic of it installed so you can see whats happening.

dont the filters have directional arrows on the sides?

I'm pretty sure mine does not, but it isn't OEM either.

If you put it in 90 degrees the wrong way you won't be able to get the cover on without pushing on it... and even if you did it wouldn't bunch that much. It would only stick out about half an inch.

Mine doesn't fit right either. I've replaced my twice with two different filters both I had to scrunch in there, anyway I turned it, it would bunch up a little.