How to change a cabin air filter?

s a funky smell blasting from your car’s vents? It’s probably time to change your cabin air filter at the earliest. Your cabin air filter is like a face mask for your vehicle; it traps dust, pollen, and pollutants so your lungs don’t have to. But just like a mask, it doesn’t last forever. Leave it too long, and your “fresh air” setting will start smelling suspiciously like damp carpet.

Luckily for you, cabin air filter replacement is one of the simplest jobs you can do yourself. Here’s a quick guide on how to change a cabin air filter, without the drama (or the mechanic’s bill). Let’s get started!

Unmistakable signs you’re overdue for a change

Your car will send you not-so-subtle hints that it’s time to change the cabin filter. Ignoring them is a choice, but not a smart one.

• A bad smell: A musty odour comes from the vents when you turn on the heat or air conditioning.
• Weak airflow: The air from the vents feels weak, even when the fan is set to high.
• Dust inside the car: You see dust building up on your dashboard and feel it blowing out of the vents.
• Poor heating or cooling: The temperature from the vents isn’t as hot or as cold as it should be.

Most car manuals suggest changing the cabin filter every 15,000-20,000 km. But if you’re ticking any of these boxes, it’s time to change the cabin filter right away! If you spend your time on dusty rural roads or are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you might need a car air filter replacement sooner. Think of it as routine hygiene, for your car and your nose.

What will you need for a cabin filter replacement?

You won’t need a garage full of snap-on tools. You will need:

• Gloves
• Safety glasses
• Car air conditioner cleaner
• Basic hand tools
• A new cabin air filter

You’ll also need your car’s manual or Google, because carmakers love hiding filters in mysterious places. It’s also useful to not open up any panels or covers for no reason while guessing how to change the cabin air filter.

Cars24’s professional tip: The entire cost of this DIY air filter car replacement is the price of the part. The entire cost of paying a mechanic is the part plus their fee for knowing which clip to press. The math is simple.

How to change the cabin air filter? 

The location of the filter could vary depending on the make and model, but the universal rule for car designers is: “Put it in the most awkward place possible.” 

For most cars, it’s behind the glovebox.

Step 1: Find the right filter

Head to your local auto store or search online using your rego number to find a compatible filter. 

You can go for a basic dust-and-pollen filter, or an upgraded one that tackles finer pollutants and bacteria. Either way, air filter replacement options are affordable, usually $30–$40.

Step 2: Locate the filter

On most vehicles, the cabin air filter lives behind or below the glove box. For some, it’s accessible from the engine bay. Check your owner’s manual before you start removing parts that shouldn’t be removed.

If you’re lucky, you’ll just unclip a cover and slide the old filter out. If not, that’s what those “basic hand tools” are really for.

Brace yourself, it might be full of leaves, dust, and the occasional dead bug.

Step 3: Clean the compartment

Vacuum or wipe the area clean. Then, spray your air-conditioner cleaner solution through the vents as directed on the can. It’ll clear out bacteria and kill mould spores.

While it might smell fresh, avoid sitting in the car while the cleaner spray is doing its thing — that “pine breeze” scent isn’t meant for human lungs.

Step 4: Insert the new filter

Before you install the new cabin air filter, check the airflow direction arrows on the side, getting it backwards means your air-con will still work, just not well. Slide it in, snap the cover back, and you’ve completed your very own air filter car replacement.

Step 5: Test it out

Start the car, switch on the air-con, and feel the difference. The airflow should be stronger and cleaner, and ideally, smell like… nothing. Which, when it comes to air quality, is exactly what you want.

When should you admit defeat and call a professional?

If you’ve spent more time swearing than unscrewing, or if your car’s filter is located somewhere in the engine bay next to a “Do Not Touch” warning, it’s okay to call a professional. There’s no shame in paying someone to fight a battle you don’t have the tools or patience for. But we advise that you do it once a year (or every 10,000–15,000km), to save your lungs, your passengers’, and your wallet from future suffering later.

If you buy a used car, let changing your cabin air filter be your first DIY maintenance. Nothing says a ‘fresh start’, better than ‘fresh’ air. If you happen to buy it from Cars24, there’s a good chance we’ve already changed or cleaned it for you, so you won’t have to take on this task anytime soon. Happy driving!