How to Replace a Cabin Air Filter on a BMW


Behind the Glove Compartment
1. Open the glove compartment and remove all the items from inside of it.
2. Remove the glove compartment assembly retainer screws with a Phillips head screwdriver. Refer to the repair manual for your specific year and model series BMW for the exact location of the screws or carefully look around the perimeter of the interior glove box assembly to locate the screws.
3. Locate the lower trim panel retaining screws behind the glove box assembly. Remove the screws with a Phillips head screwdriver and then remove the panel.
4. Remove the foot-well air duct.
5. Loosen the retaining screws of the control module box to all you to lower it down.
6. Turn the cabin air filter panel retaining knob counterclockwise to open the panel. Pull the filter removal tab outward to remove the filter.
7. Use a shop vac to clean out any noticeable debris from the cabin air filter housing interior.
8. Insert the new filter and reverse the order to reassemble the foot-well air duct, the trim panel and the glove compartment assembly.
Under the Hood
9. Open the hood and locate the cabin air filter housing. The housing is located near the cowling on the top section of the firewall. Some models place the housing in the middle of the cowling, on both sides--left and right--of the cowling or on the passenger side cowling. Removal of the cowling and placing the windshield wipers in the upward position may also be required on certain models. Some 7-Series BMWs place the filter housings on both the left and right side undercarriage of the hood.
10. Release the cabin air filter duct clamp. This can either be released by unclipping the air filter duct by pressing a retaining lock with your fingers or using a flathead screwdriver to pry off a retaining rod.
11. Lift the cover upward--or downward on hood-installed 7-Series BMWs--to reveal the cabin air filter.
12. Remove the cabin air filter from the air duct. Vacuum the air duct with a shop vac.
13. Insert the new cabin air filter(s) and reassemble.