🔧 Altima - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Your Altima’s cabin air filter cleans the air coming through the HVAC (heat/AC) system. Replacing it helps airflow, reduces odors, and can improve A/C performance.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.3-0.7 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the ignition OFF and remove the key before working near the passenger airbag area.
• ⚠️ Don’t force plastic panels; they can crack when cold.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty)
• Flashlight
• Nitrile gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Cabin air filter - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Move the passenger seat back to give yourself room to work.
• Have a flashlight ready; the filter door is tucked up behind the glove box.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Empty and lower the glove box

• Open the glove box and remove everything inside.
• On the right side, unhook the small glove box “damper” arm (the little slow-open strap). Use a trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) to gently pop it off. Go slow—this clip breaks easily.
• Squeeze the glove box sides inward to clear the stops, then let the glove box swing down.

Step 2: Locate the cabin filter access door

• Use a flashlight to look behind the glove box area, toward the center of the dash (HVAC case).
• Find the small rectangular access cover for the cabin filter.

Step 3: Remove the filter cover

• If equipped with screws, remove them using a Phillips #2 screwdriver.
• If it’s a clip-on style, release the tabs using a trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty), then pull the cover off.

Step 4: Remove the old cabin air filter

• Put on nitrile gloves.
• Slide the filter straight out. If it’s tight, wiggle it gently side-to-side while pulling.
• Note the airflow direction marking (often an arrow) on the filter frame before you remove it completely.

Step 5: Install the new cabin air filter

• Match the airflow arrow on the new filter to the direction you observed on the old one.
• Slide the new filter in fully so it sits flat and doesn’t buckle.

Step 6: Reinstall the cover and glove box

• Reinstall the filter access cover (and any screws) using a Phillips #2 screwdriver.
• Lift the glove box back up and squeeze the sides inward again to pass the stops back into place.
• Reconnect the damper arm on the right side using a trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) to guide the clip on.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and turn the fan to medium-high to confirm strong airflow.
• Switch between fresh air and recirculation to make sure nothing is rubbing or clicking.
• If you still have weak airflow, the blower fan or evaporator may be dirty (separate job).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $12-$35 (parts only)

You Save: $48-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.7 hours.

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🎯 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 below to add everything to your cart.