The air around us can carry many contaminants, such as dust, dirt, exhaust soot and major allergens. Your car’s cabin air filter keeps these contaminants from entering the passenger compartment, so you only breathe in fresh air. Over time, however, the cabin air filter will fill up with dirt and contaminants and no longer do its job. If your A/C system is not as efficient as it used to be or you get an unpleasant odor from your vents, it might be time to change your cabin air filter.
Changing the cabin air filter on your Porsche is so easy that virtually anyone can do it. To get an overview of the procedure, check out this video from the YouTube channel, Car Fueled. While the video covers the Porsche 991, the procedure is identical for the 981 Boxster and Cayman. Detailed step-by-step instructions, along with the parts and tools you’ll need, can be found below.
Step 1: Prepare your vehicle and work area.
- Gather tools and parts.
- Put on gloves to protect your hands.
Step 2: Access the exterior cabin air filter.
- Pop front compartment area (aka “frunk”).
- Remove the plastic compartment cover under the frunk by pulling it up.
- Locate the cabin filter housing on the passenger side.
- Lift up the lid covering the cabin air filter by lifting it up to undo the plastic tabs.
Step 3: Replace the exterior cabin air filter
- Slide the old filter out and install the new one.
- Make sure the new filter fits correctly, as it needs to bend and follow the shape of the housing.
- Lower the cabin air filter lid back down and snap it back into place.
- Refit the plastic compartment cover.
Step 4: Gain access to the interior cabin air filter.
- The cabin air filter is inside the car, underneath the glove compartment.
- To gain better access, pull the seat all the way back.
- Working in the passenger footwell, locate the cabin air filter cover which is made from a foamy plastic material, like show in this part of the video.
Step 5: Replace the interior cabin air filter.
- Using a flat head screwdriver, remove three plastic screws that hold the plastic cover in place. Move the cover out of the way.
- The inner cabin air filter is held in place by a plastic lid, which is secured with tabs. Pull the plastic lid down and it will pop off
- Maneuver the old filter out while being mindful of the orientation shown by the arrow at the side of the filter.
- Insert the new cabin air filter, with the arrow pointing the same way.
- Reinstall everything in reverse.
Erronn says:
Thank you for the video on cabin filter replacement. I just did mine and the arrow was pointing up outward as compared to yours that is pointing down inward. I guess I have to go back and redo the installation again.
eCarGuides says:
Thanks for giving the DIY guide a try and glad it was helpful!