Smart Fortwo
Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to change the engine air filter
element in a 2nd generation 2008 to 2014 Smart Fortwo with the 1.0L motor.
 2013 Fortwo Cargo Area |
 Pull Open Cargo Mat |
 1/4 Turn Counterclockwise |
| This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the second generation (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
and 2014) Smart Fortwo compact city car in cleaning or changing the
engine air filter element for the Mitsubishi DOHC 3B21 1.0 liter
inline three cylinder motor. Owners of any Smart Fortwo models or trim levels such as the coupe hatchback, cabriolet or "cabrio", electric, pure, passion, forfour, prime and proxy may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement engine air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA10604, Wix 49301, Ecogard XA6062, K&N 33-2417, Champion CAP10604, Hastings AF1408, Mann C2716 and MAHLE Original LX 3023. The only tool needed to access and replace the engine air filter is a flathead screwdriver. |
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 Pull Out Metal Engine Cover |
 1.0L Engine Exposed |
 Loosen Hose Clamp |
| Move to the rear of
the car and open the tailgate door to access the cargo area. Lift up the fabric and rubber cargo area cover. Rotate the fastener at the rear edge of the metal engine cover 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it open. Remove the metal engine cover and set it aside in a safe place. Loosen the hose clamp that connects the air intake hose to the air filter box by turning it counterclockwise with a flathead screwdriver. |
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 Pull Off Air Intake Hose |
 Hose Removed |
 Release Metal Latch |
| Gently pull the air
intake hose off the air filter box. There are three metal latches on the rear edge of the engine air filter box that secure the two halves together. Flip the metal latches down to release the top cover of the filter housing. |
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 Metal Latch Released |
 Right Side Metal Latch |
 3rd Fastener - Center |
| The third metal latch is located below the rubber air intake hose. | ||
 Loosen Other Hose Clamp |
 Slide Off Air Box Cover |
 Plastic Tabs - Rear Edge |
| Lift off the top
cover of the air box. If you have trouble removing the air box cover, you may need to loosen the hose clamp on the other side of the rubber air intake hose. Slide the air box cover back towards yourself and remove it from the engine bay. |
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 Pull Out Old Air Filter |
 Inspect Old Air Filter |
 Check Both Sides |
| Pull the old air
filter out of the lower half of the box. Inspect both sides of the old air filter. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, soot, pollen, insects, leaves, twigs, hair and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the Fram CA10604 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. If the old air filter looks relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. |
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 Clean Out Bottom Half |
 Smart OEM Filter |
 Micron 043 795 003 |
| If your vacuum cleaner has a long hose and a crevice attachment, clean out any debris or sand in the bottom half of the air box. | ||
 MicronAir Filter |
 Lower In New Air Filter |
 Line Up Air Box Cover |
| Lower the new air
filter in to the bottom half of the air box with the pleats facing down and
the rubber gasket facing up towards you. Slide the air box cover back over the bottom half of the box. |
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 Slide Tabs In To Slots |
 Flip Up Right Side Latch |
 Metal Hose Clamp |
| Re-insert the tabs
on the rear edge of the air box cover (closest to the front of the car) in
to their corresponding slots on the bottom half of the box. Flip up the three metal latches to secure the top half of the air box. |
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 Push On Air Intake Tube |
 Secure Left Side Latch |
 Flip Up Third Middle Latch |
| Push the air intake hose and metal hose clamp over the tube on the top half of the air box. | ||
 Tighten Hose Clamps |
 Engine Air Filter Replaced |
 Replace Metal Cover |
| Tighten the hose
clamps by turning them clockwise with the flathead screwdriver. Lower the metal engine cover back in to place. |
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 1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock |
 Close Fabric Trunk Mat |
 Cargo Mat Secured |
| Rotate the metal
fastener 1/4 turn clockwise to secure the engine cover in place. Roll the rubber and fabric cargo area mat back down in to place. Push down the rear edge of the cargo mat to secure it in place. Be sure to record the engine air filter change in your car's service records. For more, check out all of my
2008-2014 Smart Fortwo DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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