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VW Passat Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the A/C system's cabin air filter in a 2012 to 2015 Volkswagen Passat with the part numbers.

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2015 Passat Glove Box
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Foam Cover Under Glove Box
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Black Plastic Thumb Screws
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the NMS (new midsize sedan) 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and the face lifted 2016 Volkswagen Passat sedan in cleaning or changing the air conditioning system's cabin air filter element located in the HVAC blower motor housing.

Owners of other VW Group vehicles such as the Beetle, CC, Tiguan, Golf, Touareg, Jetta, GTI, SportWagen, Eos, Rabbit, Bora, Vento, Lavida, Coccinelle, Maggiolino, Fusca, Audi A3, A4, S4, A6, S6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, A5, S5, and TT may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement cabin air filters with their part numbers include the following: Mann-Filter CUK 2939, Volkswagen 1K1-819-653-B, TYC 800015C, Denso 453-4007, Wix 24489, Ecogard XC35586 and Mahle LAK 181.

No tools are needed to access and replace the cabin filter.



 
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Remove 1st Thumb Screw
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2nd Thumb Screw
To access the Passat's cabin air filter, open the front passenger door and look under the glove box.

There is a foam trim panel that covers the footwell area under the glove box.

Remove the two black plastic thumb screws by turning them counterclockwise.

Set the two thumb screws aside in a safe place.

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Two Thumb Screws Removed
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Pull Out Foam Cover
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Footwell Cover Removed
Gently pull out the foam foot well cover and set it aside in a safe place.
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Cabin Filter Housing
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Slide Cover to the Right
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Disengage Plastic Hooks
The rectangular shaped cabin air filter cover is located at the bottom of the HVAC blower motor housing.

Grasp the large black plastic tab near the right side of the filter access cover.

Firmly pull the filter cover towards the right side to disengage the plastic retaining hooks.

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Slide Out Old Air Filter
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Old Filter Removed
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Inspect Both Sides
Once the black plastic hooks are released from their slots, pull the filter cover away.

Set the filter cover aside in a safe place.

Carefully slide the old filter down and out of the slot in the HVAC blower motor housing.

Inspect both sides of the old filter.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, pollen, leaves, twigs, insects, hair and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the Mann-Filter CUK 2939 cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. I also like how it has activated charcoal in it to help absorb musty or moldy odors and keep the A/C system smelling fresh.



 

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Empty Filter Slot
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Slanted Corner On Right
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Insert New Filter
Orientate the new cabin air filter with the slanted edge located at the top right side of the filter.

Slide the new air filter straight in to the slot and hold it in place with one hand.

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New Filter Installed
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Line Up Filter Access Panel
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Re-Insert Plastic Hooks
Line up the black plastic hooks on the filter cover with the corresponding slots in the new air filter.
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Slide Filter Cover To Left
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Filter Cover Secured
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Re-Insert Foam Trim Panel
Slide the filter cover towards the left side of the housing to secure the hooks.

Double check that the filter access cover is securely in place.

Line up the foam footwell cover with the underside of the glove box.

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Tighten Clockwise
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Thumb Screws Secured
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Footwell Panel Replaced
Re-insert the two thumb screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction until they are snug.

Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system! :)

For more, check out all of my Volkswagen Passat DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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