🔧 Grand Cherokee - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

You’ll be replacing the cabin air filter that cleans the air coming through the vents. On your Grand Cherokee, it’s located behind the glove box on the passenger side.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Turn the ignition off and remove the key or fob from the vehicle.
• 🛑 Do not run the blower fan while the filter housing is open.
• 🛑 Work gently with the glove box so you don’t crack the plastic hinges.
• 🛑 Wear safety glasses if dust bothers your eyes.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 🧰 Phillips #2 screwdriver
• 🧰 Flathead screwdriver (6 mm tip)
• 🧰 Plastic trim tool set (specialty)
• 🧰 Flashlight or work light
• 🧰 Mechanic gloves
• 🧰 Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• 🧩 Cabin air filter (with activated carbon, optional) - Qty: 1
• 🧩 Interior trim clips - Qty: 2-4 (optional, in case any break)
• 🧩 Interior cleaning wipes - Qty: 1 pack (optional, to wipe dust)

---

📋 Before You Begin

• 🧭 Park the Grand Cherokee on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• 🧭 Turn off the ignition and remove the key/fob from the vehicle.
• 🧭 Empty the glove box so nothing falls out when it drops down.
• 🧭 Position your flashlight so you can clearly see behind the glove box area.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open and prepare the glove box

• 🪛 Sit in the passenger seat and fully open the glove box by pulling the handle.
• Use the flashlight to look along the right side of the glove box for a small arm or cord (this is the damper that controls how the glove box drops).
• Keep screws and clips in a small container.

Step 2: Disconnect the glove box damper

• 🪛 Use the flathead screwdriver (6 mm tip) to gently pry the damper arm off its pin on the glove box side if it does not pull off by hand.
• Let the damper hang down out of the way.
• Do not pull hard on the damper; it can break.

Step 3: Release the glove box stops and drop the glove box

• 🪛 On each side of the glove box, the plastic side walls act as “stops” to prevent it from dropping too far.
• With the glove box open, use both hands to gently push inward on the sides of the glove box to clear the stops from the dash opening.
• If your Grand Cherokee has a removable stop pin on one side, use the flathead screwdriver (6 mm tip) or a plastic trim tool to pop it out first.
• Allow the glove box to rotate down and hang, exposing the area behind it. Support it with one hand so it doesn’t slam down.

Step 4: Locate the cabin air filter cover

• 🪛 Behind the dropped glove box, look straight toward the center of the vehicle at the black HVAC housing (plastic box).
• Near the top middle of that housing you’ll see a rectangular door/cover with clips on the sides or bottom. This is the cabin air filter cover.
• Use the flashlight for a clear view of the clips.

Step 5: Remove the cabin filter cover

• 🪛 Use your fingers or the plastic trim tool to press or pry the small locking tabs on the filter cover.
• Once the tabs release, pull the cover straight off and set it aside.
• No torque spec here; the cover just clips in and out.

Step 6: Remove the old cabin air filter

• 🪛 Slowly slide the old filter straight out of the housing by hand.
• If it catches, wiggle it slightly as you pull—space is tight but it will come out.
• Note the airflow direction arrow printed on the old filter and which way it was facing (usually pointing down toward the floor on your Grand Cherokee).
• Take a picture of the old filter orientation.

Step 7: Clean the filter housing area

• 🪛 Use your gloved hand to gently wipe any large leaves or debris from the filter opening.
• If you have interior wipes, use one to carefully clean around the opening (do not push debris into the blower fan).
• Do not spray cleaners directly into the housing.

Step 8: Install the new cabin air filter

• 🪛 Check the new filter for the airflow arrow.
• On your Grand Cherokee, the airflow arrow should point down (toward the floor) when installed, matching the original.
• Slide the new filter straight into the slot, keeping it flat and centered so the edges do not fold.
• If it resists, pull it back a little, straighten it, and try again—do not force it.

Step 9: Reinstall the cabin filter cover

• 🪛 Position the cover over the opening, aligning the tabs with their slots.
• Press the cover firmly until you hear or feel the clips snap into place.
• If there are any small screws (some variants may have them), use the Phillips #2 screwdriver to snug them down: Torque to 2 Nm (18 in-lbs) (just finger-tight plus a small turn).

Step 10: Reinstall and secure the glove box

• 🪛 Lift the glove box back toward its normal position.
• Gently push the sides of the glove box inward again to get the side walls past the stops in the dash, then let them pop back out into place.
• If you removed a stop pin, reinsert it by hand and push until it clicks, using the plastic trim tool if needed.
• Reconnect the damper arm to its pin by hand; if tight, help it with the flathead screwdriver (6 mm tip) to guide it on.
• If any screws were removed from the glove box area, reinstall them with the Phillips #2 screwdriver: Torque to 2 Nm (18 in-lbs).

Step 11: Final check

• 🪛 Open and close the glove box several times to confirm it moves smoothly and doesn’t fall too far or bind.
• Return your items to the glove box.

---

✅ After Repair

• 🔁 Start the engine and turn on the A/C blower at different fan speeds. Listen for any unusual noises from behind the glove box (rattling or scraping could mean the filter or cover is not seated correctly).
• 🔁 Check airflow from all vents (face, floor, defrost). It should be at least as strong as before, often stronger with a new filter.
• 🔁 If your Grand Cherokee has a service reminder for the cabin filter in the settings, you can note the replacement date and mileage manually, even if there’s no specific reset.
• 🔁 Write down the date and odometer reading; plan to replace the cabin filter about every 15,000–20,000 km or sooner in dusty conditions.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80–$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15–$40 (parts only)

You Save: $40–$100 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100–$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3–0.5 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections above to add everything to your cart.