Which Way Does a Cabin Air Filter Go & Does Air Flow Direction Really Matter? • Cars Simplified

Cabin air filters often have an air flow direction printed on them, sometimes just an arrow. Without any obvious markings, how do you tell which direction the air flows so you can put your cabin air filter in correctly? Does it even matter? That and more is explained in this video, hopefully providing enough information to make the understanding intuitive.

Looking for the blower? If you can't see fan blades through that cabin filter service port, you can check beneath the area for a blower motor. These are usually a cylinder of plastic that points down towards the passenger's footwell. If you find that and the cabin air filter port is horizontal and directly above the cylinder, the air flow direction is down. This is the typical blower motor mounting location, because it is relatively easy to design and service.

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[CarsSimplified]

I really need to make sure I'm going to be in focus when I film on the green screen. The tiny flip-out screen on the camera just doesn't show enough detail. This looked just fine.

[pogidiez]

I am going to have to watch this every year when I change my cabin air filter. Saved.

[l.t.]

God bless you young man, this 67 yr. old female truly appreciates the answer.

[Mike_Ums]

Airflow direction is key! Very good info here. You can always establish the airflow direction of the cabin blower fan by holding a light piece of tissue paper over it while running the a/c (don’t stick your fingers into moving parts!) and watch which direction it pulls the paper. That is your air flow direction and that is the direction in which you should install the arrow on your filter.

[efreutel]

Really helpful. Arrow DOES NOT mean this side up! Very good explanation of why orientation matters. Many thanks! 👍👍😊

[giantchickencreature]

Thanks man. Video helped me determine the direction. Also for the dealer who did the last service put it in upside down 😂

[dalekundtz]

THANK YOU for helping someone who was confused.

[AmplifyDIY]

Great tips! I actually just replaced the cabin air filter in my truck last weekend. I am a bit embarrassed that I scratched my head a little longer than I care to admit trying to work out the correct airflow direction. Didn't even think to look at the little access panel that I removed (it likely has an arrow) - I worked it out based on the location and orientation of the blower motor. I'll have to check the access panel next time!

[boeingpilot]

Really excellent. Clear instructions. Thanks!

[randyyoung]

Thanks for simplifying this. On my 2020 Highlander the arrow (I think for assembly since it has wedges that forces the filter frame up) points up but based on you logic. The airflow is down. (Squirrel cage is on the bottom). Nice and simple and it didn’t take watching 20 minutes of rambling. Well done.

[OnlineCitizenTV]

Glad I watched it before I put in the new filter wrongly, again! Thanks!

[meengla]

This really helped me--didn't even pay attention to the blower right below the place where I had wrongly put the filter. Thanks!

[verasands]

Thanks! I couldn't see the blower but I felt the fan from the bottom so I installed it with the arrows pointing down!

[JoanNin]

the only video that go to the POINT! thank you

[nighthauke]

Thank you!!! You have explained this very well.

[dominiccaparelli]

awesome thanks man, i just replaced the filter in my car with the filter by the wipers and was kinda concerned because there wasn’t a label on the old one (or it was worn off) but the demo with the blower really helped thanks again🙏

[Pizzpott]

Thank you.

I've been having a bit of an issue on my C4 which has been having a bit of condensation. Someone told me the cabin filter might need changing so got a new one and decided to replace it anyway, only just bought the car so it is good practice.

My filter is under the windscreen wipers and when I pulled the old filter out although it was not too bad the top did have debris in it. airflow arrow was pointing up - toward the wondscreen! This did not make sense to me considering the debris so I found your video. I cannot see a blower but there is a large opening in the steel plate below the space where the filter is located, I have assumed as per your video that this is the motor so have placed the new filter with airflow down. There really seems no other way in common sense as I honestly do not think there is room above that space for a motor like that. However I was concerned about the orientation until I found your video. So thank you again.

[raygowan]

I have a 2020 CRV and the airflow was quite confusing the 1st time I replaced my cabin filter. I have a plate covering the cabin filter with an arrow pointing up and the plate actually says "UP" on the outside. Once you remove this you can see the blower motor with an arrow pointing down and showing the direction of airflow.
l would assume that 90+% the arrow needs to point down as the air will be sucked in from the vents in the dashboard down into the blower motor.

[randypendleton]

Thank you helped a lot appreciate it and quality and description was good

[silvercn]

Thx man. I got stuck. I appreciate your video!