GMC Terrain
Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the A/C system's
cabin air filter element in a 1st generation 2010 to 2016 GMC Terrain SUV.
 2016 Terrain Glove Box |
 Open Glove Box - Empty Out |
 Plastic Retaining Tab |
| 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 A/C system's cabin air
filter element in the HVAC blower motor housing. 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 cabin air filters with their part numbers are as follows: ACDelco CF177, FRAM CF11819, TYC 800112P, Wix 49368, Mahle LA 777, Hastings AFC1359, Purolator C25836, Mann Filter MC 1068 and Premium Guard PC5836. No tools are needed to access and replace the filter. |
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 Push Up Tab - Release Box |
 Lower Glove Box |
 Disconnect Plastic Sockets |
| The first few steps
are to sit in the front passenger seat of the SUV, open the glove box and
empty out the contents. Locate the large black plastic tab at the top of the opening in the dashboard for the glove box. Gently push back the plastic tab and pull down the top edge of the glove box until it can be lowered past the tab. Lower the glove box and disengage the plastic "C" shaped sockets from the plastic mounting bars on the bottom of the opening in the dashboard. |
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 HVAC Blower Motor Housing |
 Filter Access Cover |
 Push Up Tab - Release Clip |
| Once the glove box
is out of the way, you'll see the HVAC blower motor housing and the
rectangular shaped filter access panel. Gently push up the two black plastic tabs on the bottom edge of the filter cover to release the retaining clips. |
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 Push Up 2nd Tab - Release |
 Flip Open Filter Cover |
 Slide Out Old Air Filter |
| Swing open the
filter cover. Pull the old air filter straight out of the slot. |
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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 relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with pollen, dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves, twigs, soot and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the FRAM CF11819 "Fresh Breeze" cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. I also like how it has Arm & Hammer baking soda and carbon in the filter to help stop the A/C system from smelling musty or moldy. |
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 Empty Filter Slot |
 Install New Air Filter |
 New Cabin Filter Installed |
| If your vacuum has
a crevice attachment, clean out any debris that might be stuck in the filter
slot within the HVAC blower motor housing. If the new filter has an "Air Flow", "Up" or "Down" arrow, orientate it in the correct direction. An "Air Flow" arrow should be pointing down towards the floor mat. Slide the new filter straight in to the slot. |
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 Close Filter Cover |
 Push To Secure 2 Clips |
 Plastic Sockets - Glove Box |
| Flip down the
filter cover and push on it to secure the two retaining clips. You should hear or feel them "click" securely in to place. Line up the "C" shaped sockets on the bottom edge of the glove box with the mounting bars on the bottom of the dashboard. |
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 Re-Attach Hinges |
 Pull Tab In Front of Box |
 Close Glove Box |
| Firmly push the
glove box in place to secure the plastic hinges. Start closing the glove box and pull the retaining tab forward until it holds the glove box up. Replace the contents of the glove box and close it to complete the job. Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system! For more,
check out my other
2010-2016 GMC Terrain DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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