Recently I swapped out my OEM windshield wipers for PIAA.. The results were awesome! (I installed it right before the freakishly big storm last month in the Bay Area).

Thinking that I could save a buck or two... or two hundred, I decided to take on new DIY projects, namely replacing the engine air filter and the cabin air filter.

Long story short, I followed all of the DIY instructions (posted in the 3G Garage), but here are some "lessons" that I would like to share for the benefit of those that are thinking of doing this yourself:

Engine Air Filter:
1. With regards to the engine air filter, it is definitely advisable to loosen the metallic hoop that holds the air intake tube (connected to the engine). This is about the only way that I was able to get the tube out of the way after removing the four 8mm bolts.

2. One of the bolts is a bit out of reach -- Use a philips screwdriver with a long reach.

Cabin Air Filter:
1. For those TLs that have them, definitely do NOT pry open the enclosure behind the glove box before removing the push pins. The push pins are easily removed after "pushing in" the small round dot in the middle of the push pin head. I guess I neglected this part and the result was a broken push pin (which I had to fix with crazy glue.. NOT easy at all given how small the broken piece was).

2. Never let the enclosure angle too much when removing it. Otherwise, you run the risk of breaking some of the plastic clips. This happened to me and I ended up breaking one of the clips. I had to crazy glue this one too (much easier though, since the piece was much bigger this time).

I realize that I could have done the cut out mod for the cabin filter DIY, but decided against it this time.

Either way, the $200 savings (my dealer quoted $230+ for the engine and cabin air filter replacement) allowed me to buy some real "man" tools (went to Sears before to get a 260-piece tool set)... Prior to this I didn't have a real tool set, so I felt this would be a worthwhile investment especially for future DIY projects on the TL!

 

Congrats! Time to change the oil and tranny fluid, too! Very easy on this car.

 

Hey you got to 1st base.. nice..





jk OP.. saving money is great isn't it? wait til you do your brakes & suspension (2nd base ).. you'll be saving big money.

edit: Get a decent socket set.. I busted 2 sockets from a made in taiwan set I had. Also for those singular jobs that require special tools you can either get a free rental set from Autozone or usually find them cheap at Harbor Freight

 

Yeah, I got a pretty extensive socket set... Craftsman... Hopefully they hold up!

 

Congrats on the diy's.