How to change the cabin air filter in a car

During the last years, air purifiers have become common household appliances, thank you not only COVID-19 and smoke from forest fires, but also a better understanding of how dirty the air we breathe can be. In addition air quality in our homewe should also think about what we inhale when we are inside our cars.

This begs the question: When was the last time you (or had a professional) change your car’s cabin air filter? Here’s what to know about this process, including how to change cabin air filtersand how long they usually last.

How long do cabin air filters last?

In most cases, cabin air filters are designed to last for a while 12,000 and 30,000 miles. But if you live in an industrial area with a lot of air pollution or one with frequent wildfires, you may need to replace it annually or even more often.

Signs that the cabin air filter needs to be replaced

So if the mileage isn’t always an accurate way to determine when the cabin air filter needs to be changed, how do you know when it’s time? By Jonathon Klein from The Drivethese are some common signs:

• You can easily smell what’s outside your car – farms, factories, skunks, etc.-also when the air inside the car is recirculated
• Airflow from the vents is poor even when set to the highest level
• It sounds like air is having trouble getting through the car’s HVAC system and out of the vent or the vent itself is blocked
• You may see smoke or other particles coming through the vents

How to change your car’s cabin air filter

While you usually bring your car into the dealership for routine maintenance, such as an oil change or tire replacement, this is one situation where in most cases it doesn’t make sense pay the dealer’s increased fee-which can vary around $40-$130– something you can do yourself in a few minutes.

The tools and process you need will depend on your vehicle type, so it’s best to start by looking in your owner’s manual to find out where the cabin air filter is located and how to change it.

Most of the time, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box – although it can also be found in the lower part of the windshield under the hood.

Behind the glove box

In some vehicles, simply press the tab on both sides of the glove compartment, which lowers it, giving you access to the cabin air filter. From there you pull the old filter, slide the new one in and push the glove box back into place. End.

In other vehicles, you may need to remove the glove compartment door to access the cabin air filter. In this case, use a flat head screwdriver or a Torx/Hex wrench (whatever your manual prescribes) to remove the glove box door. This should allow you to access the air filter. Then you have to take the old filter out, putting the new one in and finally fixing the glove compartment door.

Under the hood

First, start the car, turn on the windshield wipers, then turn off the car when the wipers are in place facing the sky. Then raise the hood. We give Klein take it here:

1. Remove the windshield washer hose from the clips on the plastic cover near the bottom of the windshield.
2. Pull out the bonnet protective strip.
3. Remove the plastic cover (you may need a flat-head screwdriver).
4. Remove the cabin air filter.
5. Replace with a new cabin air filter.
6. Reinstall the plastic cover, bonnet protective strip and windshield washer hose.
7. Close the hood.

It’s a simple task that’s well worth the effort: Your car’s HVAC system will work better, and most importantly, you’ll be breathing cleaner air.