Chevrolet
Cruze Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to check or change the engine air
filter of a 2011-2015 GM Chevy Cruze with the Ecotec 1.4L Turbo I4 motor.
 2013 Cruze Air Filter Box |
 Remove Phillips Head Screws |
 Six Screws Total |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the first generation (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and maybe also the 2015
model year)
GM Chevrolet Cruze equipped with the Ecotec 1.4 liter turbocharged
inline four cylinder motor in cleaning or changing the engine air
filter. Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Spark, Sonic, Volt, Malibu, Camaro, Corvette, Impala, Equinox, Traverse, Suburban, Tahoe, Avalanche, Colorado, Silverado, Express, Cadillac ATS, XTS, CTS, SRX, Escalade, Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Encore, GMC Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon and Savana may also find these DIY instructions to be useful. A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: ACDelco A3144C, Wix 49739, K&N 33-2966, Fram CA10989 and Hastings AF1484. The only tool needed to replace the filter is a standard Phillips head screwdriver. |
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Please verify the correct replacement filter for your Cruze by checking the Amazon Part Finder website. The correct part numbers may vary depending on the model year, trim level and engine type (1.4L Turbo I4, 1.6L I4, 1.8L I4 & 2.0L I4 diesel). |
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 Lift Off Top Half Box |
 Old Air Filter Element |
 Pull Out Old Filter |
| The black plastic
rectangular engine air box is located at the left rear area of the engine
bay. To access the old filter, you'll have to loosen the 6 Phillips head screws along the outer edges of the top half of the box. Loosen the screws by turning them counter clockwise with a standard sized Phillips head screwdriver. The screws will remain attached to the top cover of the air box. Lift the top half of the air box out of the way and pull the old filter straight out. |
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 Inspect Both Sides |
 Clean Out Bottom Half Box |
 Clean Filter With Vacuum |
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| Check both sides of
the old air filter element. If the filter is relatively clean, you can just
tap out the large debris and vacuum out any dust with a wet/dry shop vacuum. On the other hand, if the old air filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves, twigs and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the OEM GM ACDelco A3144C engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. Clean out any sand or dirt in the bottom half of the air box with the wet/dry shop vacuum. |
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 Insert New Filter |
 Replace Top Half Air Box |
 Tighten 6 Phillips Screws |
| Insert the cleaned
or new filter in to the lower half of the air box with the metal or plastic
screen mesh and rubber seal facing up towards you. Lower the top half of the air box over the lower half. Make sure that the two halves of the box are flush together with no parts of the air filter visible. Tighten the 6 screws until they are snug by turning them clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver. Do not over tighten the screws to avoid cracking the plastic air box housing. For more,
check out my other
Chevrolet Cruze Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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