How To: Replace your Cabin Filter (Gen 2)

[ruthless013]

took advantage of some nice weather and decided to throw in a fresh cabin filter today. car is approaching 24k miles so i figured it was about time. the manual is of little use for this.

needed:
-mazda cabin filter, part #BBM4-61-J6X ($23 @ mazdaparts.org)
-stubby phillips screwdriver



pop out this panel on the passenger side. pull outward to release the two clips, then pull the panel out towards the back of the car.



this tray under the glove box has to come down. push the two clips in towards the firewall to release them, then pull the tray off the bolt in the back.



once loose, you'll have to remove the led light to get the tray out of your way. push in the wire harness clip to free it, then you can disconnect the wire plug from the led unit, or rotate the led unit and pop it out.



now you'll see this. disconnect the plug from whatever sensor that is, and unscrew the two screws circled (not the ones for the sensor). lift the tab at the top of the panel and it comes off.


this is what is in there. the two filter panels are stacked on top of each other pressed up against the console side (opposite firewall). slide out the lower one, pull the upper one down, and slide that one out.



lay them on the floor in the same orientation as you removed them so you see how the new ones go back in.



flip them over and see all the crap your air is passing through before you breathe it. allergies anyone?



line up the new ones the same way the old ones came out. the panels are not the same, there is a top and bottom. notice the mazda logos? they should face you, or the back of the car (should NOT face the firewall) when you slide them back in. slide the top one in first, push it up and it should softly snap into place and hold it self there, then slide the bottom one in. they slide snugly and flat up against the non-sidewall side. if not, you're doing it wrong.



replace the panels, vacuum up all the debris, and enjoy some fresh, filtered air. then pat yourself on the back for buying a gen2, because the procedure for the gen1 is a much bigger pain in the ass.

[BLK_MS3]

Good write up dude.

[forcedinduktion]

Pretty easy, but not as easy as a 4runner. I did my moms a few weeks ago and it took my literally 30 seconds. Just drop the clove box, remove tray, swap filters.

[Shane]

I'd seen a video on a Gen1 and i was thinking.. "shiiiiiiiittttttt"

Glad to see that the Gen2 is a lot easier

[countzero2k9]

Wow, I remember when I replaced the filters on my 2006 regular 3 and I think I still have scars on my knuckles. I'm so happier that they made this easier to do on the Gen2's.

[fishin53]

yea a lot easier than the gen 1's. Thanks for the write up I need to do this badly.

[speed d3mon]

nice write up! thanks so much for this, you just saved me an assload of money

[JS + MS3]

Thanks alot. Will be doing this next week!

[kritz]

Excellent Smithers, excellent! will be doing this soon as well!

[letzleta]

Anyone know if the filters are a dealer only part or can you get them at Walmart or auto parts stores?

[nuprin503]

Originally Posted by letzleta Anyone know if the filters are a dealer only part or can you get them at Walmart or auto parts stores?

You can get filters at autozone or other auto parts stores.... They won't be genuine Mazda, but should be just fine.

I need to do this soon too.

[kshirschi]

it was just as you said, might want to encourage folks to do a yoga warm prior to starting though.

[ThizSpeed3]

thanks for the info, i seen the gen1 way and i was like WOW

[The Nut]

Nice write up, but they're still in a rediculous spot.
In my Saturn-
Step 1: Open hood
Step 2: Lift cabin air fiter cover located above firewall
Step 3: Swap filter for new one
Step 4: Repace filter cover & close hood
Step 5: Drive slow piece of shit car

[Martinezs89]

how long would you wait to replace these?

[SparkySparks]

I checked AutoZone, they said it was a dealer only item. I was hoping for a charcoal option like my truck had. Great right up!

[RallySportDirect]

Such a good write up. You made this detailed and simple with easy explanation. Great pictures by the way and I will now help a friend out with his

Thanks,
Dallin

[YoursTruly]

This is so helpful! Thanks!!

[dr_banano]

just did mine yesterday , and my car has only 5,800 miles and was really dirty ,and dusty,also there was a piece of a plastic bag inside,i have been hearing a weird noise from there so that was it....

[jeek]

Thank you for this! I recently got my genpu used at ~28k and it was still using the original AF.

[Pedal-Force]

Originally Posted by SparkySparks I checked AutoZone, they said it was a dealer only item. I was hoping for a charcoal option like my truck had. Great right up!

There are now aftermarket ones. Advance/AutoZone/Napa all carry them, but not in stores from what I can tell. Cheaper than the dealer, but the dealer actually has them in stock. Dealer is like $31, Puralator is around $21. There's a Beck Arnley (sp?) charcoal for about $30.

Thanks for the write-up. I'm at 25k miles, time to do this soon. As well as lube the door locks/hinges (even though I have a smart key and never use the locks...) and torque the bolts on the chassis/body.

[Pedal-Force]

Thanks for the how to. I ended up doing the CX-7 (fiance's/I pay for it) and the Speed3. 2 minutes for the CX-7, 10 or so for the Speed3. I didn't have an LED in my panel for some reason, not that I really care.

Ended up getting mine both from the dealer. Like $20 each or something.

[jpfrisch87]

Subbed for future filter change

[lilred]

Change it this weekend... Looks clean to me

tapafuck

[rcky]

Changed mine at 26000 today in my 2010ms3 . Took me 25 minutes because at 62 I can only lay upside down on the floor for a short period . Still your article saved me about $100, Thanks

[HammerChile11]

Thanks for the great write up! Took about 5-10 minutes! My 2011 didn't have the LED light, nor did I have to unclip the sensor. Made very easy thanks to your write up!

[BAT-man]

awesome writeup... now how to fit an airfreshner in there so one doesn't have to use those vent-mounted dealies...

sil80

[morbiddk]

I was really concerned when I saw write ups for replacing the filter on a gen1, then I came across your post and there was much rejoicing. 5 minutes to replace and saved nearly $100 vs having the dealer do it.

I special ordered the Purolator C16098 from Autozone for $21 and picked it up a day later. Very happy with the Purolator, looks and fits near identical minus the Mazda logo on the edge.

[Turbopenguin]

Just did mine, Such a pain in the ass! its so small down there to even see.

[Nefarion]

Originally Posted by Turbopenguin Just did mine, Such a pain in the ass! its so small down there to even see.

thats what she said?

[Turbopenguin]

lol, ouch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't even realize where that statement was headed.

[motherfnmonsta]

thanks OP, you have now possibly cost me money at work now, we charge a half hour to do this and I can do them in about two damn you, but a good wright up btw.

[speeed]

will do mine soon

[jrotaryb]

Super easy with proper instructions!!

[joseph.p05]

thank you for this! doing mine this weekend

[Hess22]

Wondered how to do this

[pwdunmore]

Originally Posted by Hess22 Wondered how to do this

Stop spamming every thread to get your post count up...

[new2boost]

Thanks this was very easy to do, and was well overdue for me.

[defprun]

Im thinking just throwing it in the garbage...i work in a freakin steel mill

[htrdce69]

After seeing the YouTube vid on the Gen Juan, I was thinking it may be worth it to fork over a bill and let the dealer tackle this, but I'm glad to see that they made improvements on the Pu!