This seems like a straightforward question, but the reality is that many people can’t answer it. In fact, many people aren’t even aware that their car has a cabin air filter, let alone where it is. It’s this lack of awareness that often makes the cabin air filter one of the most neglected filters that a vehicle has. Cabin air filter neglect can lead to symptoms such as bad smells in the cabin, reduced airflow through the dash vents, or unusual sounds when the fan or AC is turned on. Drivers will sometimes go tens of thousands of miles with a dirty cabin air filter before noticing any of these symptoms and finally realizing that something is wrong. To avoid finding yourself in this situation, all you must do is change the cabin air filter on a regular basis. And thankfully, changing the cabin air filter is an easy task– if you know where to find it.
Behind the Glove Compartment
The most common location of the cabin air filter in modern vehicles is behind the glove compartment, also known as the glove box. Access to cabin air filters installed behind the glove compartment varies by model, but the amount of work involved is usually minimal with a low level of difficulty. For some vehicle models there is a panel in the back of the glove compartment that is removed to access the cabin filter. For others, the entire glove compartment assembly must be removed to access the cabin air filter housing. In these situations, changing the cabin air filter may require the use of tools such as a Philips head screwdriver or star bit, but rarely take more than 5-10 minutes to complete.
Under the Hood
Not to be confused with the engine air filter, which is also located under the hood– A cabin air filter located under the hood of the car is less common, but not exactly rare. The cabin air filter is installed in the ductwork of the climate control system, so its location under the hood is usually beneath the plastic windshield cowl. To access the cabin air filter under the hood of the car, the plastic cowl must be removed, and tools are often needed. Once again, 10 minutes of time and a typical screwdriver or star bit is usually all it takes to get the job done.
Behind the Dash
Some cabin air filters are located behind the dash but aren’t behind the glove compartment. Vehicles with this design are the least common, but not completely unheard of. Ease of access also varies for cabin air filters located behind the dash– for some the cabin air filter housing cover can be accessed without removing any trim or dash panels. For other cars, accessing the cabin air filter is more complicated– requiring the removal of the glove compartment, footwell trim panels and as in the case of a BMW F30, the passenger side airbag. To remove these parts, tools are usually required and as you might’ve already guessed, the job is going to take more time; sometimes 15 minutes or more.
With PUREFLOW You Can See the Cabin Air Filter Location Before You Buy
While we can tell you of the possible locations of a cabin air filter in most vehicles, we don’t want you to start taking your car apart to find it. There is a much easier way to get started! All you need to do is search for your cabin air filter using our FIND YOUR FILTER Advanced Search Tool. 3 easy steps are all it takes to find the right cabin air filter and its location in your car.
