Your 1995 Saturn SL2's fuel filter ensures the life and quality of your fuel system by protecting it from rust particles and other debris that gets in your SL2's gas tank when you fill up at any gas station. A dirty fuel filter can't properly clean your fuel, allowing sludge and foreign matter to contaminate your fuel injectors and your engine. It is recommended that the fuel filter be changed every 30,000 miles as part of a responsible maintenance routine.
Unplug the blue 15-amp fuel relay fuse. You'll find this fuse in the plastic compartment on the floor between the two front seats.
Run your SL2 until the motor stalls out by itself. Take the engine key out of the ignition to ensure someone doesn't inadvertently start the SL2 while you're working on it.
Raise the rear end of your SL2 using your car jack. Place the rear end of the SL2 on jack stands.
Set the drip pan down directly beneath the fuel filter location. A Saturn SL2's fuel filter is located near the rear tire of the driver's side. It is supported by a bracket between the two fuel lines.
Remove the old fuel filter by finding and pinching the two green or white clips on the sides of the fuel filter, a cylindrical object. The cylinder is the filter itself, and the clips are holding the filter to the bracket, which is attached to the fuel lines. If the clips are not easy to squeeze, needle-nose pliers will make this task much easier.
Set the old filter on the ground, keeping in mind the direction in which it was mounted into the bracket.
Attach the new filter into the old filter's location, following the arrows on the filter to be sure that they are facing in the engine's direction. You will hear the clips snap into place when the filter is securely locked into the bracket.
Remove the needle-nose pliers, drip pan and old filter from under your car as you slide yourself out from beneath your SL2.
Raise the car just high enough to remove the jack stands, then lower the SL2 to the ground.
Re-plug the blue fuel relay fuse into the socket of the fuse box.
Start your ignition, turning the key for no more than five seconds at a time, until the engine stays running.
