Changing air filter?

[salt_fly]

I am trying to change my air filter on 2011 2.0T Limited. The air filter box has two clips along the front edge but on the lower back edge, where I expected to find two more clips, there seem to be hinges instead. Do I have to remove the battery and then the whole air filter box after disconnecting the hose to open it enough to put the new filter in or is there another way to do this? I've changed many air filters on other cars in the past and they were all much easier.

[ChrisInJersey]

No, just push it open. You'll have to use a little elbow grease, but it'll open up just enough to slide the old filter out and then the new one in. No need to take the battery or anything else off. My wife was even able to do it...that's how easy it is. lol

[colloyd00]

Also there's a cap to something behing the air box (brake fluid reservoir maybe? I don't remember, my car's in the rain right now and don't want to go look). Anyway, if you take the cap off it allows the front cover of the airbox to open a bit more.

[Edging1]

Just changed mine about an hour ago as coincidence would have it. First time with this car. I noticed 2 things during the change:

1 - It is exactly as Chris mentions, pop the two front clips and lift the front upwards just enough to grab the old filter and pull the filter out. Place the new filter in the same way, lift up the housing just enough to seat the new one in properly.

2 - And this really bothers me to some respect as I have never seen a housing as dirty as this vechicle. But after I pulled the old filter out, the front half was white and clean. The back half was dirty as ****!! In fact, the back corner of the filter on the drivers side was literally caked with dirt. There was a couple dead leaves laying loose in the housing as well. But it looked as if a scoop of dirt was packed in the back corner of the filter. There was also a pile of loose dirt laying in the same corner of the housing. Had to grab my shop vac with the skinny wand and vacuum the inside of the housing.

I usually change the filter once a year, or 7,500 miles. My 7,500 miles came first. Usually my filters are generally clean. I'm guessing the air intake pulls in more air than I anticipated, as well as all the dirt. I may need to change the filter and vacuum the housing out every 3,000 miles judging by what I just experienced.

What bothers me is how much of this crap is getting past the filter? The old filter was seated properly, no evidence of a bad seal. I'm not sure whether to address the issue with Hyundai or not in case there becomes a mechanical issue down the road as a result of the debris. I'll need to keep an eye out.

Anyone else have the same issue?

[11SonataScott]

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