2006 Saturn Ion Owner's Manual - Page 259

When to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter Inspect the air cleaner/filter at the Maintenance II intervals and replace it at the first oil change after each 50,000 mile (83 000 km) interval. See Scheduled Maintenance on page 6-4 for more information. If you are driving in dusty/dirty conditions, inspect the filter at each engine oil change. To inspect or replace the engine air cleaner/filter, do the following: 1. Loosen the hose clamp that is on the inlet duct on the cover and pull off the hose. 2. For vehicles equipped with the 2.2L L4 or 2.4L L4 engine, release the two clips and turn the cover upward to unhook the hinges. For vehicles equipped with the 2.0L L4 supercharged engine, remove the three screws on the cover. 3. Pull the air cleaner/filter box cover out and remove the air filter element from the air filter box. If the element is dirty, you should replace it. If the element is only dusty, it may be cleaned by blowing compressed air through it from the clean side. Make sure you are away from your engine compartment when cleaning the air filter with compressed air. 4. Wipe all dust from inside the housing and inspect the air cleaner and air inlet tube for cracks, cuts and deterioration. The air inlet tube must be replaced if it is damaged. How to Inspect the Engine Air Cleaner/Filter To inspect the air cleaner/filter remove the filter from the vehicle and lightly shake the filter to release loose dust and dirt. If the filter remains caked with dirt, a new filter is required. 5-23