Chevrolet
Malibu Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the A/C system's
cabin air filter element in a 9th generation 2016 to 2023 GM Chevy Malibu.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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2020 Malibu Glove Box |
Open & Empty Out |
Damper Arm - Right Side |
This automotive
maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the ninth
generation 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 GM Chevrolet
Malibu in cleaning or changing the A/C system's cabin air filter element
located in the HVAC blower motor housing. The 9th generation Malibu was supposed to undergo a "facelift" in 2022 or 2023 and the refreshed vehicle may have continued being produced into the 2024 and 2025 model years but it will now apparently be discontinued after the 2023 model year. Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, GMC and Holden such as the Impala, Corvette, Bolt, Sonic, Spark, Express, Trax, TrailBlazer, Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado, Cruze, Volt, Camaro, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, LaCrosse, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CT4, CT5, CT6 and Commodore may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: ACDelco CF185, Spearhead BE-966, EcoGard XC10022C, TYC 800181P, Hastings AFC1624 and Premium Guard PC6154C. No tools are needed to access and replace the cabin air filter element. The first few steps are to sit in the front passenger seat, open the glove box and empty out the contents. Move to the right outer side wall of the glove box and locate the plastic damper arm. |
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Pull Damper Arm Back |
Button - Larger Hole |
Disconnect Damper Arm |
Pull the damper arm
back towards yourself to move the mounting button out of the smaller hole
and into the larger hole in the side wall of the glove box. Detach the damper arm from the right side wall of the glove box by pulling out the mounting button. |
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Push In Side Walls |
Remove Side Stops |
Left Side Stopper |
Firmly push in the two side walls of the glove box until the plastic stoppers can be removed from behind the dashboard. | ||
Lower Glove Box |
HVAC Blower Motor |
Left Side Release Tab |
Lower the glove box
down towards the floor mat.
Don't worry if the glove box hinges come apart. They can easily be re-attached later on. Once the glove box is out of the way, you'll be able to see the HVAC blower motor housing and the rectangular shaped filter access cover. |
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Right Side Release Tab |
Push In To Release Clip |
Right Retaining Clip |
There is a release
tab on the left side of the filter cover and another release tab on the
right side of the cover. Gently push in the two tabs towards the center of the filter cover to release the retaining clips. |
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Filter Cover Removed |
Slide Out Old Filter |
Old Filter Removed |
Set the filter
cover aside in a safe place. Slide the old filter straight out of the slot in the HVAC blower motor housing. |
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Inspect Both Sides |
Clean With Vacuum |
OEM Part Number |
Inspect both sides
of the old filter.
If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, sand, pollen, soot, hair, insects, leaves and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the Spearhead BE-966 cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon from other 9th generation Malibu owners. If you'd prefer to buy the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) filter, the GM part number is ACDelco CF185. If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. |
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Empty Filter Slot |
"Air Flow" Arrow Down |
Slide In New Air Filter |
Check the filter
slot in the HVAC blower motor housing for any large debris such as leaves,
twigs or insects.
If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, clean out the filter slot. Orientate the new filter with the "Air Flow" arrow pointing down towards the floor mat. Slide the new filter straight into the slot. Make sure it is fully seated in the slot. |
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Push On Filter Cover |
Secure Retaining Clips |
Raise Glove Box |
Line up the filter
cover and push it back into place. You should feel or hear the two retaining clips "click" securely into place. Double check that the filter cover is securely attached. Raise the glove box up towards the dashboard. |
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Re-Insert Side Stops |
Damper Arm - Right Side |
Button In Larger Hole |
Firmly push in the
two side walls of the glove box until the plastic side stops can be
re-inserted behind the dashboard. Move to the right outer side wall of the glove box. Re-insert the small mounting button on the damper arm into the larger hole. |
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Pop Button Forward |
Close Glove Box |
Filter Change Done! |
Push the damper arm
towards the front of the car to pop the button into the smaller hole. Double check that the glove box damper arm is securely attached. Replace the contents of the glove box and close it to complete the job. Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system! Be sure to write down the filter change in your car's service records. According to the owner's manual, the service interval specification for the passenger compartment air filter is to change it every 22,500 miles (or every 36,000 km). Please check out all of the
2016-2023 GM Chevrolet Malibu DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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