Are Matrix and Vibe cabin air filters the same or different?

[kostby]

I was near a Toyota dealer today, and I picked up what is supposed to be a Matrix cabin air filter for $15.00, much less than the prices I've seen in this forum for the Pontiac cabin air filter.Unfortunately, it's about 1/2 too long to fit in my Vibe. Are the filters really different is size between the Vibe and Matrix, or did they just give me the wrong one?

[ragingfish]

Stupid question. Did you try rotating the filter 90 degrees?IIRC, the filters are longer in one dimension than they are the other.

[kostby]

Silver - Thanks for confirming what I feared. I also noticed that my quote marks didn't make the original message, so it's 1/2 inch too long, if that wasn't clear. Raging - Rotating it doesn't work, that was the first thing I tried.Cutting it smaller is possible, but difficult to know whether it would work properly- the filters have pretty stiff sides now. With one side gone, I'm not sure all the crud wouldn't just fall or get sucked into the fan.For the difference in price between GM and Toyota, I'm tempted to try cutting it smaller, cut the original side off, and duct-tape the whole thing back together.I'm also wondering if maybe the Corolla/Celica/RAV has a filter that WILL fit.

[ragingfish]

You could just sell the filter to a matrix owner. Likely easier than retrofitting.Post on matrixowners.com and put it up for sale. I bet someone will buy it.Then you can buy the right one from partszoneonline.

[pmh013]

I bought a Toyota filter, and just crammed it in. For $38 CDN, it's a total rip-off. The Pontiac dealer never has them in stock, and neither do the aftermarket places.

[shibaman]

I found that out the expencive way last year. They are not the same! I had to order one from the Pontiac dealer. I also found that you can wash and reuse the old one if you are care full.