Chevrolet
Sonic Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the engine air
filter in a 2012 to 2014 GM Chevy Sonic with the Ecotec A18XER 1.8L motor.
By Paul B. Michaels Author & Photographer Auto Mechanic Since 1989 |
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 2013 Sonic Engine Air Box |
 Torx T-25 Torx Screwdriver |
 Remove 1st T25 Screw |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016) Chevy Sonic equipped with the GM "Family 1" Ecotec DCVCP
1.8 liter A18XER (2H0) inline four cylinder motor in cleaning or
changing the engine air filter element. Owners of other General Motors vehicles equipped with the A18XER motor, or similar Ecotec engines, such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Opel Zafira, Astra, Mokka and Insignia may also find these DIY oil change instructions to be helpful. A few replacement filter elements with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA8755A, ACDelco 96950990, Wix 49590, K&N 33-2476, Hastings AF1517 and Ecogard XA6273. The only tool required to access the filter is a Torx T-25 star bit screwdriver. A wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the air box and the existing filter. |
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 Two T-25 Screws Removed |
 Lift Off Top Half Air Box |
 Old Air Filter Exposed |
| The engine air box
is located on the left (passenger) side of the engine bay.
The top half of the air box is held in place by two Torx T-25 star bit screws located on the left side of the air box. Remove the two screws by turning them counter clockwise with the Torx T-25 screwdriver and set them aside in a safe place. Gently lift off the top half of the air box to reveal the old filter element. |
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 Slide Out Air Filter |
 Clean Bottom Half Air Box |
 Inspect Both Sides |
| Slide the old air
filter out of the lower half of the air box. Clean out any sand or other debris in the lower half of the air box with a wet/dry shop vacuum. Inspect both sides of the existing filter. If the filter looks relatively clean, just tap out any large debris and remove any fine dust with the vacuum. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, insects, twigs and leaves, it should be replaced with a brand new element. I recommend buying the Fram CA8755A engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If you'd rather have a re-usable filter, go with the K&N 33-2476 which will need to be washed and re-oiled every 50,000 miles. |
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 Clean OEM Filter |
 Slide In New Air Filter |
 Push Tabs In To Slots |
| Slide the new or
cleaned air filter in to the bottom half of the air box with the pleats
facing down and the rubber gasket facing up towards you. Line up the tabs on the top half of the air box with the slots on the lower half and slide them together. |
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 Re-Insert Two T-25 Screws |
 Tighten Torx T25 Screws |
 Engine Air Filter Replaced |
| Press the top half
of the air box in place and re-insert the two screws. Tighten the two screws by turning them clockwise with the Torx T-25 screwdriver. For more,
check out my other
Chevy Sonic Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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