How to Replace Your Car's Cabin Air Filter (3 Types of Filter Housings)
Most cabin air filters sit in one of three places: behind the glove box, under the passenger-side dash, or under the hood near the windshield. This guide walks through each one step by step, with example vehicles for each type.
Quick answer
Find the filter housing, open the cover, and note which way the arrow on the old filter points. Slide the old filter out, clean the tray, and slide the new one in with its arrow pointing the same way. Close everything up and run the fan to check airflow.
Watch: replacing a cabin air filter
This video shows how to change your auto cabin air filter. The basic steps are the same for most vehicles. Where the filter sits and how the cover comes off depend on your vehicle, so use the matching section below.
Which type does my vehicle have?
Use this table to compare the three types. If you're not sure which one your vehicle has, your owner's manual shows where the cabin air filter is.
| Type | Where it is | Tools | Common on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glove box | Behind the glove box, inside the car | Usually none | Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, Kia |
| Under the dash | Low on the passenger side, near the floor | May need a screwdriver | Newer Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs |
| Hood cowl | Under the hood, at the base of the windshield | May need basic hand tools | Ford, Lincoln, older GM trucks |
Before you start
- Get the right filter. Match the filter to your vehicle's make, model, and year.
- Have a vacuum handy. A shop vac or a handheld vacuum with a hose attachment works well for cleaning out the tray.
- Watch the arrow. Cabin filters have an airflow arrow printed on the frame. The new filter goes in with the arrow pointing the same way as the old one. Many housings also have an arrow on them.
- Check for a second filter. Some vehicles take two filters stacked in the same housing. If yours does, install both with the arrows facing the same way.
1. Behind the glove box
Where it is: Behind the glove box, inside the car
Tools: Usually none
Examples: Honda Accord and CR-V, Toyota Camry and Prius, Hyundai Elantra, Kia Optima, Lexus RX350
This is the most common setup. The glove box lowers or comes out to show the filter housing behind it.
- Turn off the engine and climate control.
- Empty the glove box, unclip the damper arm on the right side, and lower the box. On some models it comes out completely.
- Open the filter cover on the HVAC housing.
- Note the arrow on the old filter, then slide it out.
- Vacuum the tray.
- Install the new filter with the airflow arrow pointing the same way as the old one (or the arrow on the housing). Don't force it. If it resists, check the orientation.
- Reinstall the cover and glove box. Run the fan to check airflow.
2. Under the passenger dash
Where it is: Low on the passenger side, near the floor
Tools: May need a screwdriver
Examples: Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban (2015-20), GMC Sierra 1500 (2014-18)
On these vehicles, the filter sits behind a panel in the passenger footwell. The panel may be held by clips or screws.
- Turn off the engine and climate control.
- Move the passenger seat all the way back and clear the footwell.
- Find the access panel low on the passenger side, near the floor.
- Release the clips or screws holding the panel and lower it. If the panel has wiring attached, support it and disconnect any electrical connectors before setting it aside.
- Note the arrow on the old filter, then slide it out. If your vehicle takes two filters, remove the lower one first, then the upper.
- Vacuum the tray.
- Install the new filter with the airflow arrow pointing the same way as the old one (or the arrow on the housing). Don't force it. If it resists, check the orientation.
- Reinstall the panel and make sure it seats fully. Run the fan to check airflow.
3. Under the hood cowl
Where it is: Under the hood, at the base of the windshield on the passenger side
Tools: May need basic hand tools
Examples: Ford Explorer and F-350 Super Duty, Lincoln Navigator, older Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks (1999-2002)
On these vehicles, the filter sits under the plastic cowl panel outside the car. On some models, the wiper arms have to come off first.
- Turn off the engine and climate control.
- Open the hood and find the plastic cowl panel at the base of the windshield, passenger side. If the wiper arms are in the way, mark their position before removing them so they go back in the same spot.
- Release the clips or screws holding the cowl cover and lift it off.
- Note the arrow on the old filter, then slide it out.
- Clear leaves and debris from the tray. This housing collects more than the ones inside the car.
- Install the new filter with the airflow arrow pointing the same way as the old one (or the arrow on the housing). Don't force it. If it resists, check the orientation.
- Reinstall the cowl cover and make sure it seats fully so water can't get in.
- Run the fan to check airflow.
FAQ
What does a cabin air filter do?
It filters the outside air that comes into the car through the vents. It captures dust, pollen, leaves, and other debris before they reach the cabin.
How often should I replace my cabin air filter?
Your owner's manual lists the interval for your vehicle. Check it sooner if airflow from the vents drops, the filter looks dark or clogged, or you notice a musty smell when the fan runs.
Which way does the arrow go?
Point it the same way as the arrow on the old filter. If there's no old filter, or you're not sure it was installed correctly, use the arrow on the filter housing or check your owner's manual.
What if there's no filter in the housing?
Some vehicles leave the factory without a cabin air filter installed. If the slot is empty, install the new filter using the arrow on the housing to set the direction.
My vehicle takes two filters. How do I install them?
Remove both old filters, clean the tray, then install both new filters with the arrows facing the same way.
The new filter won't slide in. What should I do?
Don't force it. Pull it back out and check that the arrow is pointing the right way and the filter is right side up. Make sure it's the right filter for your vehicle's make, model, and year.
Is a cabin air filter the same as an engine air filter?
No. The engine air filter cleans the air going into the engine and sits in the air box under the hood. The cabin air filter cleans the air coming through your vents. They're different parts and are replaced separately.
Need a replacement cabin air filter?
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