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Kia Forte Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the engine air filter in a 1st generation 2010-2013 Kia Forte with the Theta II 2.0L I4 motor.

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2013 Forte Engine Air Box
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Metal Latch
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Release Metal Fastener
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the first generation (2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013) Kia Forte in cleaning or changing the engine air filter element for the Theta II 2.0 liter inline four cylinder motor.

Owners of other Kia or Hyundai vehicles such as the Optima, Cadenza, K900, Sorento, Sportage, Sedona, Soul, Elantra, Veloster, Sonata, Azera, Tucson, Santa Fe, Genesis, Cerato, Spectra, Accent, Sephia, i20, i30, ix35, i40 and Equus may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible air filters with their part numbers are as follows: Purolator A35779, K&N 33-2380, Fram CA10470 and AEM 28-20380.

No tools are needed to replace the filter.

A wet/dry shop vacuum may be useful for cleaning the OEM filter.



 
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2nd Metal Latch
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3rd Metal Latch
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4th Metal Latch
The engine air filter box is located on the right (driver) of the engine bay behind the 12V automotive battery and next to the fuse box.

There are four metal latches holding the top of the air box cover in place with one latch located at each corner.

Release the metal latches by flipping them down and away from the air box cover.

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Pull Off Top Cover
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Pull Out Old Air Filter
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Inspect Both Sides
Lift the top half of the air box cover off the bottom half.

Pull the old filter out of the bottom half of the air box.

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 dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves, twigs and pollen, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Fram CA10470 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you'd like to have a re-usable filter that will last the life time of the car, go with the K&N 33-2380 which will need to be washed and re-oiled every 50,000 miles.



 

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Clean With Vacuum
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Clean Bottom Half Box
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Install New Air Filter
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 lower half of the air box.

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Lower Air Box Cover
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Secure Metal Latches
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4th Latch Secured
Lower the air box cover back in to place.

Flip up the four metal latches over the top half of the air box to secure it in place.

Double check that the two halves of the air box are flush together at every edge with no part of the new filter visible.

For more, check out my other 2010-2013 Kia Forte DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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