BMW Cabin Air Filter Replacement
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Is the air inside the BMW cabin bad, is the airflow on the air vents weak, or does it have poor air conditioner performance? Learn how to fix it by replacing your BMW’s cabin air filter.
Symptoms
- Bad air smell inside the BMW cabin
- Weak or poor flow from the air vents
- Poor air conditioner performance
- The blower fan fuse keeps blowing.
What You Need
Below is a list of tools and parts you will need to change the cabin air filter on most BMWs.
- BMW Cabin Air Filter
- Torx Socket Set
- 10mm socket and driver
- Safety Glasses
- Latex gloves
Procedure
Instructions on changing the BMW cabin air filter installed in the engine bay are below.
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- Park the BMW on level ground. Set the parking brake.
- Open the hood.
- In this BMW, the cabin air filter is located by the engine bay. Remove the Torx screw using a T20 bit. Unclip the wire retainer.
- Use a 10mm socket (12mm or 13mm in some cases) to twist the metal bolts 90 degrees.
- Remove the cabin air filter plastic housing, as shown in the following picture.
- Clean leaves and debris from the housing.
- Remove the cabin air filter. Install a new BMW cabin air filter in reverse order.
- Repeat the procedure for the cabin air filter located on the passenger side.
- Reset BMW microfilter service reminder.
How to replace the BMW microfilter under the dashboard
Instructions
- Park the BMW and set the parking brake.
- Move to the passenger side and access the panel under the dashboard.
- Remove two T20 screws.
- Pull down the panel, but do not remove it yet.
- Some models have a light and cigarette outlet mounted on the panel you removed. If applicable, unplug the wires for the cigarette and light.
- Locate the cabin air filter and remove it by sliding it from the housing. Make sure to look at the side of the filter and note the direction of the arrow.
- Install a new BMW cabin filter.
- Reset BMW microfilter service reminder.
Notes
- On BMW vehicles, the cabin air filter can be located in any of the following locations:
- Engine bay near the firewall
- Under the dashboard on the passenger side.
- Work in a well-ventilated area.
- Wear eye protection and gloves.
- Every time you replace the BMW cabin air filter on your BMW, you need to reset the air filter interval via your instrument cluster.
BMW Cabin Air Filter Recommended Interval
Changing the BMW cabin air filter every year or every 12,000 miles.
Is the cabin air filter and engine air filter the same?
No. People often confuse the cabin air filter and the engine air filter. The cabin air filter keeps particles and leaves from blowing through your air vents when you turn on your A/C or heat.
The engine air filter prevents dust particles from entering the engine combustion chamber. Because some cars’ cabin air filters are located and replaced via the engine bay, car owners often confuse them with the engine air filter.
Does a dirty cabin air filter impact engine performance?
No. A cabin air filter does not impact engine performance. Unlike a cabin air filter, a dirty engine air filter does.
What happens if my cabin air filter is dirty?
You may start noticing a bad smell coming from the air vent. Airflow through the air vents is restricted. You may notice that the blower fan does not blow very hard even when set on maximum fan speed. If the cabin air filter is full of leaves, the airflow may be so restricted that the blower fan fuse keeps blowing. The blower fan sounds loud, like a jet engine.
Why should I change my cabin air filter?
You breathe inside the car cabin to keep the A/C and heating system working better and clean the air.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.
