Which Way Does a Cabin Air Filter Go & Does Air Flow Direction Really Matter? • Cars Simplified

Cabin air filters often have an air flow direction printed on them, sometimes just an arrow. Without any obvious markings, how do you tell which direction the air flows so you can put your cabin air filter in correctly? Does it even matter? That and more is explained in this video, hopefully providing enough information to make the understanding intuitive.
Looking for the blower? If you can't see fan blades through that cabin filter service port, you can check beneath the area for a blower motor. These are usually a cylinder of plastic that points down towards the passenger's footwell. If you find that and the cabin air filter port is horizontal and directly above the cylinder, the air flow direction is down. This is the typical blower motor mounting location, because it is relatively easy to design and service.
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[@CarsSimplified]

I really need to make sure I'm going to be in focus when I film on the green screen. The tiny flip-out screen on the camera just doesn't show enough detail. This looked just fine.

[@occamsrazor9183]

Greetings, I have a question: I have a regular digital readout (In the window) air conditioner. There is a button on it that has three parallel lines pointing to a vertical line/And on the other side of the vertical line is an "Arrow" What does this mean? "If the button is turned "On" what is happening? Thank you

[@pogidiez]

I am going to have to watch this every year when I change my cabin air filter. Saved.

[@l.t.8472]

God bless you young man, this 67 yr. old female truly appreciates the answer.

[@meengla]

This really helped me--didn't even pay attention to the blower right below the place where I had wrongly put the filter. Thanks!

[@efreutel]

Really helpful. Arrow DOES NOT mean this side up! Very good explanation of why orientation matters. Many thanks! 👍👍😊

[@dalekundtz760]

THANK YOU for helping someone who was confused.

[@giantchickencreature]

Thanks man. Video helped me determine the direction. Also for the dealer who did the last service put it in upside down 😂

[@Mike_Ums]

Airflow direction is key! Very good info here. You can always establish the airflow direction of the cabin blower fan by holding a light piece of tissue paper over it while running the a/c (don’t stick your fingers into moving parts!) and watch which direction it pulls the paper. That is your air flow direction and that is the direction in which you should install the arrow on your filter.

[@michaelshelleypelletier3207]

Good post.

[@sexytopramen]

Yup! I would just use the receipt from the auto parts store when I questioned the airflow direction. I like your style my man.

[@harrykrishna2697]

Using the receipt is a smart idea. I like the use of your God given intelligence.

[@glowiever]

@@sexytopramen I just did this 5 mins ago and turned out my air filter was installed the wrong way and is now clogged earlier than it should (dang it was like, what, 3-4 months lmao). now I had to replace it again. the right way this time.

[@Legenkilla]

What if my air filter dont have arrows

[@nickmekosh8782]

Great job explaining. Direct and to the point. THANKS!

[@verasands1598]

Thanks! I couldn't see the blower but I felt the fan from the bottom so I installed it with the arrows pointing down!

[@angrybuzzy]

Perfect explanation! Thank you, CS.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great tips! I actually just replaced the cabin air filter in my truck last weekend. I am a bit embarrassed that I scratched my head a little longer than I care to admit trying to work out the correct airflow direction. Didn't even think to look at the little access panel that I removed (it likely has an arrow) - I worked it out based on the location and orientation of the blower motor. I'll have to check the access panel next time!

[@njsongwriter]

The access panel on Toyotas has an arrow pointing up and the word "up" as well. That arrow does NOT indicate air flow direction. It's just telling you how to put the panel back on. If the filter says up on it then the arrow should point up but if it says air flow then it points down toward the blower motor.

[@fluentinsilence]

Looking for the blower inside the cavity is what helped me, who woulda thought?

[@randyyoung9409]

Thanks for simplifying this. On my 2020 Highlander the arrow (I think for assembly since it has wedges that forces the filter frame up) points up but based on you logic. The airflow is down. (Squirrel cage is on the bottom). Nice and simple and it didn’t take watching 20 minutes of rambling. Well done.

[@tylernorman25]

Yes my subaru forester is the same way my blower motor is on the bottom but owners manual says i should put the filter in with arrow facing up.

[@JoanNin]

the only video that go to the POINT! thank you

[@silvercn8337]

Thx man. I got stuck. I appreciate your video!

[@Pizzpott]

Thank you. I've been having a bit of an issue on my C4 which has been having a bit of condensation. Someone told me the cabin filter might need changing so got a new one and decided to replace it anyway, only just bought the car so it is good practice. My filter is under the windscreen wipers and when I pulled the old filter out although it was not too bad the top did have debris in it. But.....the airflow arrow was pointing up - toward the wondscreen! This did not make sense to me considering the debris so I found your video. I cannot see a blower but there is a large opening in the steel plate below the space where the filter is located, I have assumed as per your video that this is the motor so have placed the new filter with airflow down. There really seems no other way in common sense as I honestly do not think there is room above that space for a motor like that. However I was concerned about the orientation until I found your video. So thank you again.

[@jvanderbrook]

Very good insight! Thanks!

[@dominiccaparelli2679]

awesome thanks man, i just replaced the filter in my car with the filter by the wipers and was kinda concerned because there wasn’t a label on the old one (or it was worn off) but the demo with the blower really helped thanks again🙏

[@svfox]

same exact thoughts

[@Starman-yt8lj]

Good video. 👍🏻 That air flow arrow can be confusing!

[@holdem5180]

thx dude , you just made me feel better that i did it the correct way with the arrow pointing down towards blower....thx again, chevy tried to charge me 40 bucs , i got filter for ten and did it for free , not hard either

[@trevorgerman3118]

Wish I could give you two thumbs up!!!

[@nighthauke]

Thank you!!! You have explained this very well.

[@nighthauke]

I did subscribe.

[@CarsSimplified]

Thanks!

[@davemcguigan218]

Great useful information as always. Ever notice how easy some cars are to change the air filter while some cars are more difficult. I remember my VW GTI's from the 80's. I had an 84, 85, and 87. It seems that they were more awkward than they should have been. My brother use to annoy me since he always had very dirty filters and when I saw them I use to pester him to change them. I think he use to like showing me how dirty they were just to annoy me. But hey it's his cars so not my problem right!

[@CarsSimplified]

Oh yeah, for sure. I've seen some goofy ones! I kind of feel compelled to show people really dirty filters for some reason. It does seem like he got more of a kick out of it if he did it all the time. Brothers!

[@TechySpeaking]

Perfect, exactly what I need.

[@europeanamerican]

Also, if debris, leaves, sticks etc., are on the top of the old filter, it would for sure mean the air is flowing top down. Thanks for a great video Sir!

[@lougaru2445]

This is the biggest indicator for me. All the large gunk was in one side of the filter. I didn't know about the blower though

[@kathleenspears3952]

Today i learned something!

[@satzero0]

When I was replacing it myself, uncertain about the direction of the airflow, I turned on the fan and reached in to feel the direction of the wind. The wind was blowing upward. However, the blower on my car is located below the filter, and the original filter installation also directed the airflow downward. So, I believe this is correct. If the airflow is downward, why is there an upward wind when I turn on the fan?

[@herbbradley8958]

Great tutorial 👌 👍 👏

[@dethmaul]

Great tips! My arrow faced up in my 2017 spark when i cahnged it for the second time just now, and it made me feel weird so i looked it up. Surely i copied exactly what the stock filter was when i took it out? Either i backwarded myself, or the factory put it in upside down lol. Thanks for showing us the way to tell! There's nothing stamped on my plastics indicating directiin.

[@raygowan1968]

I have a 2020 CRV and the airflow was quite confusing the 1st time I replaced my cabin filter. I have a plate covering the cabin filter with an arrow pointing up and the plate actually says "UP" on the outside. Once you remove this you can see the blower motor with an arrow pointing down and showing the direction of airflow. l would assume that 90+% the arrow needs to point down as the air will be sucked in from the vents in the dashboard down into the blower motor.

[@bonniepascal2399]

Thank you! It was my first time changing it on my new older car- I pulled out the old one at it showed an arrow pointing up and just aids up. The replacement showed an arrow and said air flow beside it. I stuck my phone in there, took a photo and because of your information, I learned that I needed to point the filter down! I didn’t copy someone else’s mistake. My asthma thanks you!

[@bonniepascal2399]

Old one said ‘up’ and was situated pointing up. Debris was on top. Photo showed Blower motor was below. Now I know that airflow is going down-and it needed to be pointed down.

[@ronyduron9492]

video muy interesante y educativo gracias amigo.

[@DrawingTechnical]

Thank you 👍

[@virginiaberne11]

THANK YOU!!

[@sirchompsalot4967]

Thanks bro!!

[@EveryThingIsTakenWTF]

Well I had that theory backwards. Lol. Thanks for this video!!!

[@RonnieRockafella]

Thank you 🤟

[@tha_mogul_music]

My Brand new hero. Thank you sir

[@i.pastor01]

Thanks dude. That was it.

[@darlakeely5649]

Thanks a lot !

[@AdventuresWithGilley]

Thank you

[@VamosFumando-ko3ov]

Thank you sir

[@pum2090]

Thanks 👍

[@TreeCross]

Thank You

[@tony182709]

Great. Thanks

[@paulgaier4525]

My 2918 CRV doesn't have "airflow direction" on the cover, but the cover itself is labeled "this side up". A little confusing at first but then I noticed the blower underneath and guessed you would want filtered air going to the blower. Aligned the filter with airflow pointing down towards the blower. I just Googled this video to make sure. Thanks for the verification.

[@WClark-lp9vc]

thank you

[@Mini-Moon]

ThNks !👍🏻

[@AOG_ETH]

The gen 2 cruze is kind of pain to change. You will have to remove 4 snap on panels, and 5 screws. Better air flow will help prolong the blower motor as well. Think of it as changing your indoor filter on the AC unit.

[@davidcampbell1899]

My 13 Camry has an UP arrow on the door in front of the cabin air filter. I always assumed this was the direction the air flowed and I installed the filters that way with the arrow UP! Just found out that the original Toyota cabin air filter was installed with the arrow up (no air flow with arrow direction) The after market filters have the word AIR FLOW and the arrow down. I have been installing them upside down for years! No wonder people get confused!

[@zoltanbatiz]

FINALLY! The "mystery" of which way that stupid filter is to be installed! Thank you!!!

[@802Garage]

Good tip! Hadn't put that much thought into it. Probably because most of my sh*tboxes don't have cabin air filters!

[@CarsSimplified]

Thanks! You should fabricate a cabin air filter spot for the V10 Impreza project of yours just for the absurdity of it. Full ram air set-up for the cabin!

[@tommycasantini3971]

the cabin air filter i got doesn’t have an arrow on it anywhere. any help advice ?

[@bryanr.3241]

Or you could just turn the blower on , and feel which way the air is flowing 😁 but great video bud 👍

[@qinzhang8578]

What if the air blower is on the right side of the cabin air filter? BMW F30 3 series. Thanks.

[@gofasters1]

Thanks, my cabin filter case arrow points up but the filter sits on top of the fan. So the filter arrow needs to point down as it sits on top of the fan, but the case inserts up with the filter arrow facing down 🤦‍♂️🤷

[@atticstattic]

Some filters have an arrow with the words, "air flow"; some have an arrow with the word, "up"; others have just an arrow - in which case, does that mean "air flow" or "up"?

[@nodsmilsescar1132]

My cabin filter doesn't have an arrow on its label but it is a charcoal type where one side is darker. My blower motor is located underneath the filter. Should the darker side face upward or downward?

[@UBeesh10]

Dark side down

[@jeffmaas2792]

Ok. But what about a Fram that is reusable that has no markings on it at all. Vf2005 is my filter. The crown looks the same on both sides. Thanks

[@MarcKlark]

Dynamite 😁 thank you

[@sexytopramen]

In some cases where it was difficult to see the blower motor even with the filter removed I would just test witb a piece of paper. With the filter removed slowly feed a piece of paper into the opening and see which way it gets sucked towards. Clears up any confusion real quick.

[@dave4158]

2020 corolla. Air flow down should point down? Correct?

[@67judge]

Hey did our 04-06 GTO’s come with a cabin air filter? I read there was but it’s too hard to get to.

[@CarsSimplified]

Kind of. There is a mesh cover that keeps the leaves out, located under the passenger side wiper cowling. I have been trying to find a cabin filter part number that just drops in or only needs one cut so I can make a video about it.

[@67judge]

Cars Simplified I saw an article on it online but I forgot about it because it was just wasn’t worth the effort. You do have to buy a cabin air filter for a certain type of car. But you have to cut it to fit. I bought the filter but those things are a pain to cut. And I ended up ruining it. So l gave up. I totally forgot the part number since it didn’t work out for me.

[@CarsSimplified]

I think I've read that a while back when I was trying to find it. I got some clearance cabin filters a while back that I have been sitting on for that video. There are just so many part numbers for them out there!

[@TonicTatsu]

My car air flow direction is down. I bought an aftermarket cabin filter with air flow direction up. Does it mean I have to put it upside down, so that the air flow direction can go down?

[@seren3462]

basically on a Toyota vehicle you have to put the “air flow” direction away from the blower motor..? I had it that way but it felt like my a/c wasn’t blowing enough air and switched it around.. guess I should put it back how it was before.

[@cityguide5574]

Fj cruise say air flow up but after tasting air is gone down the fan is taken air from top to down so i but my filter with the blue side up Cruze the filter airflow say Down .

[@tb2324]

Weird. My plastic cover says Up with arrow pointing up but that motor is on the bottom

[@CarsSimplified]

That's most likely for reinstalling the cover easily, but also some OEM filters will say "up" instead of "air flow" since original equipment manufacturers know exactly what vehicles the filter is going in (while aftermarket filters may fit in multiple brands with multiple filter orientations, which necessitates air flow direction being noted instead of a "this side up" label).

[@tradeswithjohnnie]

The arrow on the plastic covers points up. The air blower is below like your example at the end. You said to have the cabin filter arrow down which conflicts 1. The car plastic cover says air flow up

[@CarsSimplified]

Does it say "air flow up", or just "up" so the cover can be installed correctly?

[@DrawingTechnical]

Now how to put the dang cover back on 😂

[@biggur5]

I have just purchased new filters. They don't have any arrows and they both look the same on both sides, no difference in material, no mesh... Nothing. Do I presume it doesn't matter for this filter (BMW F10)

[@JJ-GG2050]

J J41 seconds ago I'm so confused now... my blow motor fan is definitely below the filter because i just stuck my finger in it.... but the arrow on the filter cover says up

[@CarsSimplified]

Unless it says air flow next to the arrow, that arrow is just stating the direction of the cover so it's easier to attach.

[@terryroe2023]

What happens if you have no arrow marking on your filter but a black dot

[@ManchesterUtdFan]

Can a clogged or dirty cabin filter create condensation on the inside of a car?

[@CarsSimplified]

The evaporator in the dash tends to get condensation on it regardless, but more can build up or even freeze on the evaporator when a clogged cabin air filter slows the airflow down. Since the evaporator is often relied upon to remove condensation from the windows, a clogged cabin filter may be the issue. There are other possible causes, but that is the easiest to deal with, most common, and least expensive.

[@ManchesterUtdFan]

@@CarsSimplified great thank you. I’m going to change this tomorrow.

[@javablossom]

You said "arrow down" for both options. I am so confused!

[@farifairis7388]

the original air filter will have an indicator that shows which side must be on top..

[@stephienotcurry]

could've been a lot less talking but thanks for finally giving the answer

[@FuzzyJohn]

I had this dilemma once. Used a strip of paper and I momentarily turned on the air in the car. Problem solved.

[@JakeArmyRetired]

Just look where all the junk is stuck that shows air flow...simple yep!

[@timp5132]

Urgent. My new carbon air filter has NO arrow, dont know what is top and what is bottom.

[@CarsSimplified]

If both sides look identical, it may not matter. If it has carbon in it, I would stick it in so that the air flows in on the light side and out on the carbon side. That's just an educated guess based on how the carbon is supposed to work in a filter. But, aside from it being a possible defect (unstamped), it seems like the manufacturer's way of saying it doesn't matter.

[@timp5132]

thanks but the filter is the same no difference in color or texture.

[@CarsSimplified]

Yeah, that sounds like it doesn't have any specific layer designs and can go in either way with the same results.

[@njsongwriter]

Usually only cheap or counterfeit filters have no arrows on them.

[@adamsala9291]

Some filter don't have arrows...🥴

[@jovannyflores9422]

Wayyyy tooo much talking 🤧🤦🏻‍♂️. Still didn’t help.

[@saeedkhalil3370]

too much talking..

[@fahimmahmad9731]

Hi I was confused about this as in my car there is an arrow pointing up on the plastic clip showing air up but my filter replacement arrow is down the blower motor the big one you show white is upwards so I put my filter which says down on filter so hope it's ok thanks for your advice on the good video on my old filter the arrow was up so yes very confusing I might just go to Toyota near me and check for sure which is correct for my Toyota Yaris hybrid 2019........

[@nickayivor8432]

Thank you 👍