The cabin filter, also called the pollen filter, cleans the air coming through your vents. When it is blocked you get weak airflow, a musty smell when the fan starts, windows that take ages to demist and more pollen inside the car than out. Garages often charge £40 to £70 to replace it. It takes about fifteen minutes and usually no tools.
What you need
- The correct cabin filter for your car (included in our Basic Filter Kit, Standard and Major Service Kits)
- A torch, and possibly a small screwdriver or Torx driver
- A vacuum cleaner if the housing is full of leaves
Step 1: Find the filter housing
There are three common places:
- Behind the glovebox (most cars). Empty the glovebox, squeeze the sides inwards or unclip the stop on each side, and let it swing right down. You will see a rectangular cover with one or two clips.
- Under the bonnet, below the plastic scuttle panel at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side. Lift the rubber seal and the panel to reach the cover.
- In the passenger footwell, above or beside the pedal area on a few models.
Your handbook or a quick search for your model will confirm which. If you are not sure, email us your reg and we will tell you.
Step 2: Remove the old filter
Unclip or unscrew the cover and slide the old filter out. Look at the edge of the filter before you throw it away: there is usually an arrow marked AIR FLOW and you need to fit the new one with the arrow pointing the same way. On most glovebox-mounted filters the arrow points down, because air is blown downwards through it, but check.
Vacuum out any leaves or dead insects from the housing while it is open.
Step 3: Fit the new filter
Some filters flex so you can bend them slightly to get them into the slot. Push it fully home so it sits square, refit the cover and clips, then lift the glovebox back into place. Run the fan on full for a minute to blow out any loose dust.
How often should it be changed?
Once a year, or every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you suffer from hay fever, or you park under trees, every spring is a good habit. A charcoal (activated carbon) filter also absorbs exhaust fumes and smells, which is worth having if you do a lot of town driving.
Why it matters more than people think
A blocked filter makes the blower motor work harder and reduces the air conditioning's cooling and demisting performance. Damp filters also grow mould, which is the source of that sour smell when you first switch the fan on. Changing it is cheap, quick and makes a bigger difference to the drive than almost any other part in the kit.
Get the right parts for your car
Enter your registration at easyservicekits.com and we will match the correct oil grade, quantity and filters to your exact engine, check them before dispatch and deliver free anywhere in the UK. Not sure which kit you need? Email hello@easyservicekits.com with your reg and we will tell you.