Howdy,

While I had my dash torn apart to install a uPAC iPod and Aux Input adapter I figured that I would also perform a mod I have seen mentioned elsewhere, adding a Cabin Air Filter. In GM's wisdom they use a lot of the same parts across several marques and models, and the CAF-equippable air box is one of them. If you looked behind your glove compartment you would see this taunting you :

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_2a.jpg

But what exactly do you need to do before and after cutting on the dashed line?

Required tools & equipment:

A really sharp knife or a Dremel tool with a saw attachment
A 10X20 or 10X30X1 air conditioning filter
A sharp pair of heavy-duty scissors
Duct, Gaffer's, or aluminum tape

Optional:
Glue or other adhesive
Carbon-impregnated pre-filter, cut to size.
Velcro to secure pre-filter to main filter

How to do it:

1. Open the glove compartment and remove the contents. Squeeze the sides of the glove compartment inward so that you can clear the stops and lower the door.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_1.jpg

2. Look carefully at the HVAC air box that is behind the glove compartment door. You will see an area surrounded by a dashed line that contains the message CUT ON DASHED LINE TO ADD FILTER. Using your knife (be careful, the plastic is thick and firm) or Dremel tool, cut along the dashed line. Note: in the picture below, the yellow circles and ovals highlight where the removable filter door attaches on the cars that are so equipped. I don't know the part number, but you might be able to find it checking the Saab 9-3 parts manual as it supposedly has a CAF.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_2.jpg

3. Remove the cut piece. I used mine as a gauge to measure how deep the cutout is. It turned out to be 8 inches - but not according to this ruler:

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/FishermansRuler.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_3.jpg

4. Measure and cut your air filter to size. I recommend cutting it between 1/8 and 1/4 inch short.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_4.jpg

5. Optional but recommended step: Cut a piece of heavy paper (I used the insert from the filter package), cardboard, or similar to form a complete frame for the filter. Another thing you could do is cut the filter about 9 inches long, cut the cardboard frame back to 8 inches, then shove the whole thing in to get a seal.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_5.jpg

5a and 5b. I added a carbon-impregnated pre-filter to reduce noxious odors coming in from outside. To do this I added glued-on velcro tabs to which the media can grab. See the post below for images.

My final filter size including the pre-filter is 10 inches wide (the cutout width) by 8 inches (the depth) by 1 inch (most A/C filters are actually about 3/4" thick).

6. Install the filter into the air box. Note the air flow direction arrow on the filter should be pointing DOWN as the outside air comes in from the top of the box as it is drawn by the fan.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_6.jpg

7. Seal the air box with your choice of tape. I used Gaffer's tape since it will leave far less residue than duct or aluminum tape, and also will be easier to remove when it's time to change the filter.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_7.jpg

8. Wrap the remaining filter up in plastic and save it for the future.

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_8.jpg

9. Enjoy your clean air!

~ MattInSoCal

Here's the pre-filter installation pictures:

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_5a.jpg

http://members.cox.net/mattinsocal/CAF/CAF_Step_5b.jpg

~ MattInSoCal

NIce!!...thanks, just added that to my "to do list"

VERY nice post! I think I can even handle this.

I wonder if Saab already has it....
we could just buy the part then install the filter.

I wonder if Saab already has it....
we could just buy the part then install the filter.

Even if you could find and purchase the door and corresponding air filter, you still need to cut out the opening in the air box. Unless of course you want to buy a new air box too.

But yeah, if anyone has the opportunity to research the 9-3 and see if it is truly the option, and best of all can find the part number, we'd have a truly nice add-on.

By the way, I updated the original post with the final filter size. The "official" filter with the cover is 10.05 X 8.75 or something close to it.

~ MattInSoCal

hey Matt....some info (http://www.g6performance.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=32044&p=754743#p754743)

What exactly does this do?

I thought the G6 didn't have a real cabin air filter and this filter isn't supposed to be replaced.

What exactly does this do?

It filters the incoming air to remove larger pollutants (dust and such), and depending on the filter you use, bad smells and maybe even pollen.

I thought the G6 didn't have a real cabin air filter and this filter isn't supposed to be replaced.

It doesn't have a cabin air filter at all. There's a screen on the intake side to filter out leaves and branches and such. Smaller particles like dust and even sand will pass right through.

~ MattInSoCal

Did this mod last year, I definitely see less dust inside the car. Worth the time and effort.

Where did you buy the filter from? I checked Walmart, Lowes, and the base exchange and none of them had a 10x anything.

Where did you buy the filter from? I checked Walmart, Lowes, and the base exchange and none of them had a 10x anything.

Home Depot. Supposedly there is a commercially manufactured filter that fits correctly. Someone on the G6P boards mentioned they got it at Wally World and even gave a part number. I haven't logged in over there in the longest time but you should be able to find it in moments using search.

Sure was a beautiful day in San Diego today/yesterday!

~ MattInSoCal