GMC Terrain Engine Air
Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the engine air
filter element in a 1st generation 2010-2016 GMC Terrain with the part numbers.
 2016 GMC Terrain Air Box |
 Loosen Air Box Screws |
 Using Long Screwdriver |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 &
2016) GMC Terrain in cleaning or changing the engine air filter
element for the LFX 3.6L V6, LF1 3.0L V6, LFW 3.0L V6, LAF 2.4L I4
and the LEA 2.4L I4. Owners of other General Motors vehicles such as the Buick Verano, Regal, LaCrosse, Cascada, Encore, Enclave, Envision, GMC Canyon, Sierra 1500, Acadia, Yukon, Denali, Savana, Spark, Sonic, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Corvette, SS, Trax, Equinox, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado, Silverado and Express may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA10465, ACDelco A3238C, K&N 33-2439, Hastings AF1430 and Purolator A36131. To access and replace the filter, you'll need either a long flathead screwdriver or an 8mm socket with an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet. |
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 Remove 8mm Screw |
 Long Flathead Screwdriver |
 Loosen Counterclockwise |
| The first two steps
are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the
engine bay. The top half of the air box is secured to the bottom half by four screws. You can loosen the screws with either a long flathead screwdriver, a long Phillips head screwdriver or an 8mm socket with an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratcheting wrench. |
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 Four Screws Removed |
 Lift Off Air Box Cover |
 Pull Out Old Filter |
| I chose to use a
long flathead screwdriver. Remove the four screws by turning them counterclockwise. Set the four screws aside in a safe place. Lift up the air box cover to access the old filter. Remove the old filter from the bottom half of the air box. |
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 Old Filter Removed |
 Inspect Both Sides |
 Clean With Vacuum |
| Inspect both sides
of the old filter.
If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, pollen, sand, hair, soot, insects, leaves, twigs and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the Fram CA10465 filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum. |
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 Clean Out Bottom Half |
 Install New Engine Filter |
 Lower Air Box Cover |
| If your vacuum has
a crevice attachment, clean out any sand or debris in the bottom half of the
air box. Insert the new filter in to the bottom half of the air box with the pleats facing down and the metal wire mesh facing up towards you. Lower the top half of the air box over the new filter. |
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 Replace Four Screws |
 Tighten Clockwise |
 Engine Air Filter Replaced |
| Re-insert the four
screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction with the long flathead
screwdriver or an 8mm socket with an extension bar and a 1/4" drive
ratcheting wrench. Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic air box housing. Be sure to record the filter change in your SUV's service records. For more,
check out my other
2010-2016 GMC Terrain DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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