How to Change a Cabin Air Filter (Easy DIY Guide)
The cabin air filter is one of the cheapest, easiest jobs on a car, yet it's the one most people forget. It cleans the air coming through your dashboard vents, trapping pollen, dust, soot and road grime before it reaches you and your passengers. A clogged one means weak airflow, musty smells, foggy windows that won't clear and a heater that struggles to keep up. The good news: on most cars you can swap it yourself in around 15 minutes with no tools at all.
What you'll need
- A replacement cabin air filter to suit your car
- A torch and gloves (optional, but handy)
- Your owner's handbook, to confirm the filter location
That's usually it. A few cars need a screwdriver to release a panel, but many simply clip out by hand.
Where is the cabin air filter located?
On the majority of cars sold in the UK, the cabin filter sits behind the glovebox. You drop the glovebox down past its stops, and the filter housing is right there. On some models it lives under the bonnet, beneath a plastic cover at the base of the windscreen (the scuttle panel), and on a handful of older or premium cars it's tucked under the dashboard on the passenger side. If you're not sure, check the handbook or search your registration or part number on our site.
Step-by-step replacement
- Locate and open the housing. For a glovebox-mounted filter, empty the glovebox, then squeeze the sides in or release the damper arm so it swings fully down.
- Release the filter cover. It's normally held by two or three plastic tabs or clips. Press them in and the cover comes away.
- Note the airflow direction. There's an arrow printed on the frame showing which way the air flows (usually downwards). Take a quick photo before you remove the old one so you fit the new one the same way.
- Slide out the old filter. Pull it straight out. Expect it to be grey, full of leaves and a lot grubbier than you'd like.
- Vacuum the housing. Clear out any debris and leaves while you've got access.
- Fit the new filter. Slide it in with the airflow arrow pointing the correct way, then refit the cover and clips. Make sure it's seated flat with no gaps.
- Reassemble. Click the glovebox damper back onto its arm and refill it.
Run the fan on full for a minute and you should feel noticeably stronger airflow straight away.
How often should you change it?
As a rule of thumb, replace the cabin filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or once a year — whichever comes first. If you do a lot of urban or motorway driving, sit in heavy traffic, or live somewhere dusty or tree-lined, lean towards annually. A common time to do it is alongside an MOT or service. Many garages charge a tidy mark-up for a five-minute job, so doing it yourself is one of the easiest savings going.
Cabin filter vs engine air filter
It's worth knowing these are two different things. The cabin filter cleans the air you breathe; the engine air filter cleans the air going into the engine for combustion. Both should be changed at intervals, and both are simple DIY jobs. If your car is feeling sluggish or the heater smells stale, it's worth checking both at the same time.
Pollen, carbon and standard filters
You'll see a few types when you shop. Particle (pollen) filters are the standard fitment and trap dust and pollen. Activated carbon filters do the same but add a layer that absorbs odours and exhaust fumes — well worth it if you commute in traffic or suffer with hay fever. They cost a little more but fit in exactly the same way.
Finding the right filter for your car
The easiest way to get the correct part is to match it by your car's make, model and engine, or by the OE part number printed on your old filter's frame. If you're restoring something older and struggling to find a listing, our request-a-part service can help track down hard-to-find or discontinued cabin filters — just send us your registration or the old part number and we'll do the searching for you. Browse the full range of cabin air filters to get started, and use code SAVE10 for 10% off, with tracked UK delivery.
Frequently asked questions
- How long does it take to change a cabin air filter?
- On most cars it's a 10 to 15 minute job, often with no tools needed. Glovebox-mounted filters are the quickest, simply unclipping by hand.
- What happens if I don't change my cabin air filter?
- Airflow from the vents weakens, the heater and air-con struggle, windows mist up more easily and you may notice musty or stale smells in the cabin.
- Is a pollen filter the same as a cabin air filter?
- Yes, they're the same thing. 'Pollen filter' is just the common UK term. Activated carbon versions also absorb odours and exhaust fumes.