🔧 Tucson - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Replacing the cabin air filter on your Tucson is a simple maintenance job that helps keep dust, pollen, and odors out of the air coming through the vents. The filter is located behind the glove box and can be changed without removing any major parts.

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

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Work gloves
• Shop vacuum with crevice nozzle
• Flashlight

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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 Tucson on level ground and turn the ignition OFF.
• 🧤 Wear gloves if the old filter is dirty or moldy.
• 🔦 Move the front passenger seat back to give yourself room.
• 📦 Empty the glove box so nothing spills out when it drops down.
• ➡️ Check the airflow arrow printed on the new filter before installing it. The arrow shows the direction air flows through the filter.

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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 inside the glove box.
• Use a flashlight to look at both side walls of the glove box.

Step 2: Disconnect the Glove Box Damper

• Use your hand to locate the small damper arm on the right side of the glove box.
• The damper is a small soft-close arm that slows the glove box as it opens.
• Slide or unclip the damper arm from the glove box peg by hand.
• Do not force the plastic arm.

Step 3: Release the Glove Box Stops

• Use both hands to squeeze the left and right sides of the glove box inward.
• This lets the plastic side stops clear the dashboard opening.
• Lower the glove box slowly until it hangs downward.
• If it feels stuck, use the flashlight to check which side stop is still catching.

Step 4: Remove the Cabin Filter Cover

• Use your fingers to press the retaining tab on the cabin filter cover.
• Pull the cover straight off by hand.
• Set the cover aside in a clean place.

Step 5: Remove the Old Cabin Air Filter

• Use your fingers to slide the old cabin air filter straight out.
• Keep the filter level so dust and leaves do not fall into the heater box.
• The heater box is the plastic air duct housing behind the glove box.
• Use a shop vacuum with crevice nozzle to remove loose leaves or debris from the filter slot.

Step 6: Install the New Cabin Air Filter

• Use the flashlight to find the airflow direction marking near the filter slot if visible.
• Slide the new cabin air filter into the slot by hand.
• On your Tucson, install the filter with the airflow arrow pointing downward.
• Make sure the filter slides in flat and does not fold or crush.
• Airflow arrow points down.

Step 7: Reinstall the Filter Cover

• Use your hands to position the cabin filter cover over the opening.
• Press the cover into place until the retaining tab clicks.
• Gently tug the cover by hand to confirm it is locked.

Step 8: Raise and Secure the Glove Box

• Use both hands to raise the glove box back toward its normal position.
• Squeeze the glove box sides inward again so the stops pass into the dashboard opening.
• Release the sides once the glove box is seated.

Step 9: Reconnect the Glove Box Damper

• Use your hand to slide or clip the damper arm back onto the glove box peg.
• Open and close the glove box by hand to make sure it moves smoothly.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Start your Tucson and turn the blower fan on using the climate controls.
• ✅ Check airflow from the vents at low, medium, and high fan speeds.
• ✅ Listen for rattles or whistling, which may mean the filter cover is not fully seated.
• ✅ Replace the cabin air filter about every 12,000-15,000 miles, or sooner in dusty areas.

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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 0.2-0.5 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.