🔧 Accord - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Replacing the cabin air filter on your Accord is a simple beginner-friendly job. The filter sits behind the glove box and cleans the air coming through your heater and A/C vents.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 10-20 minutes

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the vehicle completely OFF before starting.
• ⚠️ Do not use excessive force on the glove box stops or damper arm; the plastic can crack.
• ⚠️ Keep loose items out of the glove box area so they do not fall behind the dash.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Flashlight

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Cabin air filter - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Accord on level ground and shift to Park.
• Set the parking brake.
• Turn the power switch OFF and remove the key fob from the cabin area if possible.
• Open the passenger door fully so you have room to work.
• Empty the glove box before lowering it.
• The cabin filter has an airflow arrow. On your Accord, install the new filter with the arrow pointing downward.

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open and Empty the Glove Box

• Use your hands to open the glove box fully.
• Remove all items from inside the glove box.
• Use a flashlight to look along the right side of the glove box for the small damper arm. A damper arm is a small plastic support that slows the glove box as it opens.

Step 2: Release the Glove Box Damper

• Use your fingers to gently slide the damper arm off its small pin on the right side of the glove box.
• Do not pry hard with a tool. It should unclip with light hand pressure.
• Support the glove box with one hand.

Step 3: Lower the Glove Box

• Use both hands to press inward on the left and right sides of the glove box.
• This releases the glove box stops. The stops are small molded tabs that keep the glove box from dropping too far.
• Slowly lower the glove box down toward the floor.

Step 4: Remove the Cabin Filter Cover

• Use your flashlight to find the rectangular cabin filter cover behind the glove box opening.
• Use your fingers to squeeze the tabs on both sides of the cover.
• Pull the cover straight off and set it aside.

Step 5: Remove the Old Cabin Air Filter

• Use your fingers to slide the old cabin air filter straight out of the housing.
• Notice the airflow arrow direction on the old filter before removing it fully.
• If leaves or debris are sitting at the opening, remove them by hand while wearing nitrile gloves.
• Do not push debris deeper into the HVAC case. HVAC means heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Step 6: Install the New Cabin Air Filter

• Use your hands to slide the new cabin air filter into the housing.
• Install it with the airflow arrow pointing downward.
• Make sure the filter slides in flat and does not fold or crush.
• A crushed filter can whistle or restrict airflow.

Step 7: Reinstall the Filter Cover

• Use your hands to place the rectangular filter cover back onto the housing.
• Press both sides until the tabs click into place.
• Gently tug the cover with your fingers to confirm it is locked.

Step 8: Raise and Secure the Glove Box

• Use both hands to raise the glove box back into position.
• Press inward on the glove box sides again so the stops pass back into place.
• Reconnect the damper arm onto the small pin on the right side using your fingers.
• Close the glove box and make sure it opens smoothly.

---

✅ After Repair

• Start your Accord and turn the climate fan on low, medium, and high.
• Listen for fluttering, rattling, or whistling from the passenger-side dash area.
• If airflow sounds noisy, turn the vehicle OFF and recheck that the filter is flat and the cover is clipped in fully.
• No scan tool reset or infotainment reset is required.
• Replace the cabin air filter about every 15,000-30,000 miles, or sooner in dusty areas.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $70-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15-$35 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$105 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.2-0.4 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 below to add everything to your cart.