🔧 Grand Cherokee - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

The cabin air filter cleans the air coming through your heater and A/C vents. On your Grand Cherokee, it sits behind the glove box and can be changed without removing major trim.

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the ignition off before working around the glove box area.
• ⚠️ Do not force the glove box stops; the plastic tabs can crack if bent too far.
• ⚠️ Keep loose items out of the blower opening so nothing falls into the HVAC case.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this cabin air filter replacement.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Small flashlight
• Trim removal tool (plastic)

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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 your Grand Cherokee on level ground and shift to Park.
• 🔑 Turn the ignition off and remove the key fob from the vehicle.
• 🧤 Empty the glove box so items do not spill out when it is lowered.
• 💡 A trim removal tool is a flat plastic prying tool used to move panels without scratching them.

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🔨 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 the glove box.
• Use a small flashlight to look at both side walls of the glove box opening.
• Put small items in a cup.

Step 2: Release the Glove Box Stops

• Use both hands to gently squeeze the left and right sides of the glove box inward.
• The side stops are small plastic tabs that keep the glove box from dropping too far.
• While squeezing the sides inward, let the glove box swing down slowly.
• If a side is tight, use the plastic trim removal tool gently on the side of the glove box to help clear the stop.

Step 3: Locate the Cabin Filter Door

• Use the small flashlight to look straight behind the lowered glove box.
• Find the rectangular cabin filter access door on the HVAC housing.
• The HVAC housing is the black plastic air box for the heater and A/C system.

Step 4: Remove the Cabin Filter Door

• Use your fingers to release the retaining tabs on the cabin filter door.
• If the tabs are stiff, use the plastic trim removal tool gently to help unclip the door.
• Pull the filter door straight off and set it aside.
• No bolts are used here, so no torque spec applies.

Step 5: Remove the Old Cabin Air Filter

• Use your fingers to slide the old cabin air filter straight out of the slot.
• Pay attention to the airflow arrow printed on the old filter before removing it completely.
• On this setup, the airflow arrow should point downward when installed.
• Use nitrile gloves if the old filter is dusty or has leaves inside it.
• Pull slowly to avoid spilling debris.

Step 6: Clean the Filter Opening

• Use the small flashlight to inspect the filter slot.
• Use your gloved fingers to remove loose leaves or large debris from the opening.
• Do not push debris deeper into the HVAC housing.
• Do not spray cleaner into the opening unless using an HVAC-safe product made for cabin air systems.

Step 7: Install the New Cabin Air Filter

• Use your hands to slide the new cabin air filter into the slot.
• Install it with the airflow arrow pointing downward.
• Keep the filter square and level so it does not fold or crush.
• Push it fully into the housing until it sits flush inside the opening.

Step 8: Reinstall the Filter Door

• Use your hands to position the cabin filter door over the opening.
• Press the door into place until the retaining tabs click.
• Use the small flashlight to confirm the door is fully seated on both sides.
• No bolts are used here, so no torque spec applies.

Step 9: Raise the Glove Box

• Use both hands to lift the glove box back toward its normal position.
• Gently squeeze the glove box sides inward again if needed to pass the side stops.
• Let the stops snap back behind the dash opening.
• Open and close the glove box once to make sure it moves normally.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Grand Cherokee and turn the blower fan on low, then high.
• ✅ Check that airflow comes from the vents normally.
• ✅ Listen for clicking, rubbing, or leaf noise from the blower area.
• ✅ If airflow is weak, reopen the filter door and make sure the filter is not folded.
• ✅ No scan tool, programming, infotainment reset, or battery registration is needed.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $60-$120 parts + labor

DIY Cost: $15-$35 parts only

You Save: $45-$85 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.

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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.