- 01/31/2017
- 1 Min Read
- By: Alex Fiehl
How to Replace the Engine Air Filter on a Saab 9-3
Saab indicates a 30k mile replacement interval for the engine’s air filter (also known as the “engine air cleaner element”). This component ensures that the outside air being brought into the engine is clean and sufficient for complete combustion.
If you neglect this maintenance item the engine will eventually suffer from poor fuel economy, lose power and run rough. If you let it go even longer it could stop your car from running altogether.
Tools you’ll need:
- New engine air filter
- A flathead screwdriver
- A T25 torx bit + bit driver
- About 15 minutes of free time
Ready to replace your engine air filter?
On a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc the engine’s air filter is located under the hood on the passenger side.
Head over to your parked car, raise the hood and locate the engine’s air filter housing:
Using a flathead screwdriver, disconnect the intake hose connection and *carefully* disconnect the harness plug (slide out the locking piece before pulling it off). Then disengage the torx screws using a T25 torx bit + bit driver to get access to the air filter.
Lift the cover from the engine side, disengage it from the “hinges” on the fender side and set it aside. You’ll now have access to the air filter.
A quick comparison shows the old filter (top) being a bit dirty when compared to the new filter (bottom):
Another way to compare air filters is to see how much light shines through. A dirty filter would show less light:
Reassembly!
Installation is essentially the reverse of removal:
Put in the new air filter and insert the housing cover into the hinges:
Lower the cover, reconnect the intake hose connection and tighten with a flathead screwdriver. When reconnecting the harness plug, keep tension so it remains pushed in while you slide the locking piece back in:
Tighten the cover bolts with your T25 torx bit + bit driver:
Start the car to ensure everything is good and enjoy 30k miles of renewed engine air filtration!
