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.
This maintenance procedure is so easy that even someone with no experience working on cars can do it. To perform this DIY, check out this helpful tutorial above from Filterheads. Detailed steps can be found below.
Tools Required:
Parts Required:
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare your work area.
- Gather tools and part.
- Put on eye protection and gloves.
Step 2: Gain access to the cabin air filter.
- Go to the front passenger side footwell and locate the plastic panel just under the glove box.
- Remove the plastic panel by unscrewing a single T20 Torx screw located at the top, center of the plastic panel.
- Remove the plastic panel, which is now just held in by metal spring clips, by pulling it down.
- On some Cayennes, you will see a plastic duct that runs horizontally. If so, remove this gently pulling down on it.
Step 3: Replace the cabin air filter.
- Locate and remove the cabin air filter cover, which is towards the center of the vehicle; grab the plastic cover on the end closest to the firewall and pull down.
- With the plastic cover removed, the old cabin air filter should drop out; if it doesn’t, use a small screwdriver to pry it out.
- Next, insert the new cabin air filter. Keep in mind the direction of the air flow on the filter and install it in the correct orientation.
Step 4: Reinstall everything in reverse.
- Pop the cabin air filter plastic cover back into place.
- When re-attaching the air duct and plastic panel, ensure everything clips in easily; if it doesn’t, double check the alignment.
- When reinstalling the plastic panel, ensure the metal clips are aligned before pushing it back into place.
- Put up your tools. You’re all done!
Kerry M says:
What the heck does ‘towards the center of the vehicle’ mean? In the console? In the ceiling? In the floor?
Pete says:
Towards the console.