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VW Beetle Engine Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the TSI 1.8L I4 turbo engine air filter element in a 2nd generation 2012-2016 Volkswagen Beetle

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2015 Beetle Engine Air Box
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Engine Air Filter Box Screw
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the second generation (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 & 2016 model year) "New" VW Beetle in cleaning or changing the engine air filter for the TSI 1.8 liter inline four cylinder turbocharged motor.

Owners of other Volkswagen Group vehicles such as the Passat, CC, Tiguan, Golf, Touareg, Jetta, GTI, SportWagen, Eos, Rabbit, Bora, Vento, Lavida, Coccinelle, Maggiolino, Fusca, Audi A3, A4, S4, A6, S6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, A5, S5, and TT may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement filters for the TSI 1.8L Turbo I4 engine with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CA9711, Wix 49020, Purolator A14622, Luber-Finer AF3896, Parts Master # 69020 and Volkswagen 5C0 129 620.

The only tool needed to access and replace the engine air filter is a Torx T25 star bit screwdriver.



 
If your VW Beetle is equipped with the 2.5L inline five cylinder motor, here are a few compatible new engine air filters: genuine Volkswagen 07K-129-620, K&N 33-2331, Wix 49186, Mann-Filter C 43 102, Fram CA10085, ACDelco A3111C, MAHLE Original LX2093, Pentius PAB10085, Purolator A25596, Ecogard XA5596 and Beck Arnley 042-1686.
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Loosening More Screws
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Screws Remain Attached
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8 Total Torx T-25 Screws
The engine air filter box is located at the front right side of the engine bay just in front of the 12V automotive battery.

The top half of the air box is held in place by 8 screws.

Loosen the eight screws by turning them counterclockwise with a Torx T25 star bit screwdrivers.

The screws will remain attached to the air box cover.

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Squeeze To Release
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Disconnect Hose
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Pull Off Rubber Tube
Squeeze the ring around the hose attached to the front of the air box to release the retaining clips.

Pull the hose off the air box.

Then pull off the small rubber tube on the left side of the air box.

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Rubber Tube Disconnected
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Pull Off Air Box Cover
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Lift Out Old Engine Filter
Lift the top half of the air box to access the old filter.

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



 

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OEM Filter Removed
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Inspect Both Sides
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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 dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves, twigs and pollen, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Fram CA9711 engine air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

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Bottom Half of Air Box
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Lower In New Air Filter
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Pleats Facing Down
If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, clean out any sand or debris in the bottom half of the air box.

Lower the new filter in to the bottom half of the air box with the pleats facing down and the rubber seal facing up towards you.

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Replace Top Half Air Box
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Push On Rubber Tube
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Push On Hose
Lower the air box cover back in to place over the bottom half.

Push the small rubber hose on to the left side of the air box.

Push the hose on to the front edge of the air box until it clicks securely in to place.

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Tighten 8 Screws
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T-25 Clockwise
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Engine Filter Replaced
Tighten the eight screws by turning them clockwise with the Torx T-25 screwdriver until they are snug.

Try to avoid over tightening the screws to prevent from cracking the plastic air filter housing.

Make sure that the two halves of the air box are flush together with no part of the new filter visible.

For more, check out my other 2012-2016 VW Beetle DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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