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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics DIY Guides & Discussions DIY: Cabin Filter Replacement
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      11-09-2012, 05:11 PM   #1
Aaron@Autosource
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Thumbs up DIY: Cabin Filter Replacement

Here is a DIY to replace or check your cabin filters. These are the filters for your cabin ventilation, not your air intake filter in the engine bay!

You'll need:
1.) Trox bit set
2.) Replacement filters(if needed)
3.) Low profile(short) screw driver

It took me about 30 minutes total, taking the under dash panels took a bit longer as it was my first time doing it, but reinstalling was a breeze. Here goes!



You're going to look under the dash/footwell area of the passenger side. Pretty cool because I actually never new there was another a/c power plug there. Nice!




You'll see a total of 4 screws holding the entire panel, point upwards. There are 2 bigger ones, and 2 smaller ones. Undo those 4, and there is one more screw which is the one on the side of the footwell area, and it screws in towards the driver side.








With a little work and being careful with the panels, you should be able to slide that whole underpanel out safely, but watch out for the 2 wires that are still attached. One of the is the power wire for the A/C port, and one is for the airbag. You A/C power wire slides off easily, but the airbag wire I left connected. It has enough slack for you to rest the entire panel on the floor of the passenger side, and access the cabin filter compartment.







Now, you will see a grey hose going into the cabin filter compartment, simply slide it off.






Holding the lid for the cabin filter compartment is 4 silver screws pointing/screwing upwards. Undo those 4, and you are basically good to go. Here are some shots of the 4 screws and a picture of the compartment cover off:
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/525/32622006.png/]





At this point you can check or replace your 2 cabin filters, and put the dash panels back together!





***NOTE: When you reinstall the bottom panel as one whole assembly, make sure that the 2 plastic tabs on the back of the panel line up with the slots under the footwell area, or else the panel wont go back in place properly!

Last edited by Aaron@Autosource; 11-09-2012 at 07:26 PM..
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      11-09-2012, 05:57 PM   #2
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Great post! Thanks for the info & pictures!
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      01-07-2013, 12:41 AM   #3
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soo useful.. thanks so much!
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      02-05-2013, 01:37 PM   #4
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I am not sure that filters was installed correct. Arrows show air direction but it seems strange as both filters installed in one direction. Guys, who will change filters, please pay attention before removing them and make a picture and post here. I think direction of arrows have to be inside. Sorry for English.
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      02-07-2013, 07:49 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beloit View Post
I am not sure that filters was installed correct. Arrows show air direction but it seems strange as both filters installed in one direction. Guys, who will change filters, please pay attention before removing them and make a picture and post here. I think direction of arrows have to be inside. Sorry for English.
^I noticed this too. But I am not certain which way they were before I took them out, but one was facing in the opposite direction from both facing towards each other.
When I examined the dirt, one had it on the wrong side, but forgot which was it was installed in the car.
I put it in facing toward each other as you suggested - will know next time I replace in 1yr haha..
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      02-11-2013, 12:59 PM   #6
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So I'm assuming this is for the AC system correct? I've notice when I turn my AC on there's a funky smell for the first minute or so. If this will resolve the issue I'll do it now!
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      02-11-2013, 09:02 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LACSTER View Post
So I'm assuming this is for the AC system correct? I've notice when I turn my AC on there's a funky smell for the first minute or so. If this will resolve the issue I'll do it now!
I had your problem too Kev! I went to the dealer, and my SA helped me with it.
He said what he did was: turn the AC to the hottest temperature for 10 minutes, turn it off, switch the car off, take out the cabin air filter, clean it (replace if necessary), spray lysol (he used the white bottle one on my car) to the AC system (like the piping or something), and let the AC on for about 20-30 mins in a cool temperature.

I don't have any smell on my AC now.
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      05-20-2013, 10:17 PM   #8
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Hi, does this work the same with F20 118i? I can't find any guides here for f20, i am trying to find the cabin filters on my car...^^
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      07-20-2014, 01:31 PM   #9
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Guys any one have a picture of which way the cabin filters are meant to be fitted?

I'm still confused which way the arrow should face? Are they meant to pint towards each other?

Thanks

Last edited by suj999; 07-20-2014 at 01:57 PM..
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      07-20-2014, 11:48 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suj999 View Post
Guys any one have a picture of which way the cabin filters are meant to be fitted?

I'm still confused which way the arrow should face? Are they meant to pint towards each other?

Thanks
You're in luck, I just replaced mine and checked this time - the air flows from back to front (wrt car), both filters in SAME direction.
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      07-21-2014, 02:35 AM   #11
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Thanks for the quick reply, I'll get mine changed today so both air filters are pointing towards the engine. What's WRT?

Is that a right hand drive car too? Don't think that will make a difference.
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      07-21-2014, 07:44 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by suj999 View Post
Thanks for the quick reply, I'll get mine changed today so both air filters are pointing towards the engine. What's WRT?

Is that a right hand drive car too? Don't think that will make a difference.
WRT = "With Regard To"
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      09-20-2014, 09:17 AM   #13
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I just changed my filters yesterday, and both my filters were pointing to the rear. I think the only way to be sure is to find out from the dealership service department, or get our hand on the service manual itself.
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      12-16-2014, 08:00 AM   #14
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good write up and pics, thank you.

it's definitely not as easy as other cars where you pop down the glove box and it's right there and down in less than 2 minutes.
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      03-16-2015, 09:27 PM   #15
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I plan on at least trying the disinfectant approach this weekend. I'm starting to get that funky odor from the AC now. Thanks for the good DIY!
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      03-19-2015, 01:50 AM   #16
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Hey guys-

I just did mine again.
To confirm, the direction in which the arrows shown in this image are correct. Both facing the same way, air flow from front to back of the vehicle.

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      04-12-2015, 09:07 PM   #17
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Where did you guys buy your new filters from?

OEM or aftermarket?
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      04-13-2015, 01:45 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HR F10 View Post
Where did you guys buy your new filters from?

OEM or aftermarket?
I went aftermarket, with TYC branded ones. Good as OEM for a fraction of the cost.
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      05-11-2015, 02:42 PM   #19
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Firstly, thank you for sharing the pics and procedure; helped a great deal. Guess it is probably just me being overly cautious - I undid the 4 screws and then the panel that has "AIRBAG" engraved to the right of it came off, dangling from a small cable connected to it at the back. I tried undoing the back black panel (with the power outlet and air inlet pockets) but it kinda seemed that the airbag panel was resting on top of it.

I was not sure whether to disconnect that wire or not since the air filters were under the huge black panel more towards the front, further ahead of the airbag module. I was very much afraid that I might do something silly and maybe set the airbag off, which was a warning vividly visible on that hanging front panel so I somehow put it back the way it was, spending another hour since the damn thing wouldn't just go back easily.

I totally understand how crampy that space down there is to even lay oneself down but wanted to put in a request for a favor - Is there any possible way, a video of this ordeal can be shared or a couple of pictures on what panel to remove to get to the next batch of unscrewing can be included for amateurs like me?

Much thanks.
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      09-03-2016, 09:41 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Aaron@Autosource View Post
Here is a DIY to replace or check your cabin filters. These are the filters for your cabin ventilation, not your air intake filter in the engine bay!

You'll need:
1.) Trox bit set
2.) Replacement filters(if needed)
3.) Low profile(short) screw driver

It took me about 30 minutes total, taking the under dash panels took a bit longer as it was my first time doing it, but reinstalling was a breeze. Here goes!



You're going to look under the dash/footwell area of the passenger side. Pretty cool because I actually never new there was another a/c power plug there. Nice!




You'll see a total of 4 screws holding the entire panel, point upwards. There are 2 bigger ones, and 2 smaller ones. Undo those 4, and there is one more screw which is the one on the side of the footwell area, and it screws in towards the driver side.








With a little work and being careful with the panels, you should be able to slide that whole underpanel out safely, but watch out for the 2 wires that are still attached. One of the is the power wire for the A/C port, and one is for the airbag. You A/C power wire slides off easily, but the airbag wire I left connected. It has enough slack for you to rest the entire panel on the floor of the passenger side, and access the cabin filter compartment.







Now, you will see a grey hose going into the cabin filter compartment, simply slide it off.






Holding the lid for the cabin filter compartment is 4 silver screws pointing/screwing upwards. Undo those 4, and you are basically good to go. Here are some shots of the 4 screws and a picture of the compartment cover off:
[URL=http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/525/32622006.png/]





At this point you can check or replace your 2 cabin filters, and put the dash panels back together!





***NOTE: When you reinstall the bottom panel as one whole assembly, make sure that the 2 plastic tabs on the back of the panel line up with the slots under the footwell area, or else the panel wont go back in place properly!

Thanks for the instructions. For some reason I cannot see the pictures? Any idea how I can see the pictures? thanks
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      09-07-2016, 02:31 PM   #21
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Thanks for the post , need to replace mine this week , i can't also see the photos
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      09-04-2021, 09:07 AM   #22
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Guys, visit

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2..._cabin/replace

They have posted pretty good videos on replacing filters for 5 series. Could be helpful. Getting ready meself to do the replacement.
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