18 Attachment(s)
Cabin Filter Replacement - Saab 9-5
Attachment 5163
Remove the two push-pin fasteners from the "hump" in the passenger footwell. With those removed the cover will pop right off.
Attachment 5164
Remove the four torx screws from the dash's lower panel.
Attachment 5165
With the four torx screws out, the panel can be dropped down a few inches to expose the bottom three torx screws of the glovebox. Remove them. They're the same size as the four holding on the lower panel so don't worry about mixing them up.
Attachment 5166
Opening the glovebox reveals the top three torx screws holding the glovebox in. Remove them. Again, they're all the same.
Attachment 5167
Gently slide the glovebox out of the dash. You will need to pull off the air duct hose on the back, and unplug the two leads for the glovebox light. I don't know that it matters but the red wire goes on top, for when you put it back together.
Attachment 5168
This is what the dash looks like with the glovebox out.
Attachment 5169
This little clip holds the lower dash panel on. Be careful, I broke mine.
Attachment 5170
The lower dash panel slides out, unplug the footwell lights and set it aside.
Using a 6mm socket, remove the screws from the cover on the side of the air box.
Attachment 5171
With the cover off, you can begin to see all the fun stuff that's made it inside your car over the last eternity without having the filter changed.
Attachment 5172
My car is an automatic and I found that I could not get the filter out because the transmission computer was in the way. It just unclips and slides down. No need to unplug it, just rest it on the floor.
Attachment 5173
Transmission computer.
Attachment 5174
Old nasty filter is out.
Attachment 5175
Old vs. New.
Attachment 5176
Looking into where the filter goes, you can see the evaporator to the left. If you look up and to the right (it's not pictured) you will see the blower motor and fan cage. Vacuum all the garbage out of here.
Attachment 5177
Again, looking into the filter compartment, evaporator on the left, you can see the blower up there too. This foam thing should be replaced. If you bought an OEM filter it'll come with one. Some aftermarkets come with one but don't have holes for the pipes, or don't come with one altogether. Re-using it isn't the end of the world.
Attachment 5178
Slide the new filter in, noting the air flow direction marked on top. Air flows from the FRONT of the car to the BACK.
Attachment 5179
Air filter in place.
Attachment 5180
Re-assemble in reverse order, and enjoy your nice strong, clean A/C or heat for a while!
Cabin Filter Replacement - Saab 9-5
Just go to a site like eeuroparts.com, select your year/model and it is easy to find part numbers for anything. For the cabin filter, the one from Mann is just as good as the original OEM Saab filter. And it probably is exactly the same like the engine air filters.
Mann part # CUK3220: http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/4114...rcoal-CUK3220/
Saab OEM part # 12758727: http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/1060...coal-12758727/