i have a 96 civic with a cold air intake. It came with it when i got my car. what's the easiest way to change the filter since it's in the fender well? also, how often should i change it?

 

take off the front bumper.. makes it real easy then.

 

i forgot to mention...without taking off the front bumper. is it hard taking off the front bumper?

 

nope ...just a screw on each fender well and some plastic pop screws under the hood between the headlights

 

See if you can clean it first. Quality companies like AEM usually use a K&N style filter that you can wash and re-oil.

 

this one is cheap. if i do decide to keep the cold air, i'll definitely buy a better filter. I'm afraid of hydrolocking, so i might switch to a short ram. there's no other way to replace the filter? can i remove the fender lining in the wheel well?

 

removing the bumper is the easiest way. there is only 2 screws and 2 clips holding it on.

 

damn, scary thought that my front bumper is only held on by two screws and 2 clips. can anyone guide me towards the location of these clips and screws? thanks a lot.

 

on each side of the car where the fender and bumper meet there is a screw running up into the fender. pop the hood and youll see the clips on each side of the grille.

 

on the 6th gen (96-00) civic, it is more than just 2 clips. I'll post pics tonight.

The bumper is easiest way to access the filter, just like people said. But it's attached by:

- 2 screws at the sides right at the pointy part of the bumper in the fender
- 3 10mm-head screws under the front (get down, you'll see them)
- about 7 plastic clips (pop the hood, use a flat head screwdriver to GENTLY pry up the center button, remove the button, then remove the outer plastic)

Then pull the bumper straight forward from the car. I must have done this 6 times by now to access my CAI, horn, add fog lights, etc.