Air filter replacement

How do I replace the air filter on a 1998 Cadillac STS. It appears I have to remove a majority of the air intake mechanism before I get enough room to release the spring clamps and open the filter housing. It seems as if it should not be this hard but maybe it is.

Sometimes it is a little more difficult than it should be. The days of the single wingnut are over. Did you check your owners manual.

Typically for paper element filters, you replace every 2 years unless you’re in a fairly dirty environment, then it is as little as every 6 months. That’s what we do for our construction support truck that spends a lot of run time in a dusty area.