How to Replace the Cabin Filter on a Nissan Leaf

[@DanMillCreek]

Thanks a lot for the video. It covers everything. Changing the filter yourself is much preferable than asking Nissan to do it. They stuff the filter into the cavity regardless of whether it covers the surface of the blower or not. Whenever I changed a filter previously installed by Nissan on my Leaf, only a small part of its surface was dirty.

[@Rythecarguy]

wow, real nice. That's pretty bad for your motor. good thing you did it yourself this time.

[@DanMillCreek]

@@Rythecarguy You're right, I should check the fan for cleaning... Thanks!

[@chipsdubbo5.56]

I could not get the glove box out because the clips on the right side were so tight. I eventually got it out by pulling on the upper left portion of the glove box unit (with the box open) and was able to get the clips on the right to pop out...

[@ecocontest3102]

Ry, allow me to remind you and all others that the black plastic cap or cover you found missing most likely was removed because the clip broke. The clip jutts out from the bottom portion of the cover, clicks on to the counter part on the main plastic body that the filter fits into. Many would unlock the top clip by sliding it out and then bend the cover to 90 degrees as it is still hinged at the botton clip part aforementioned, not knowing that the clip portion will break away at thr bent point. ***The key point is to slide the entire black cover out without bending any of its part.

[@neiljborja]

Thanks for sharing. Just changed my dad's Leaf' s cabin air filter thanks to your video.

[@lagunaresidentsfirst1084]

We have a 2018 (series 2?) Nissan Leaf, and fortunately it appears Nissan have modified the dash/glovebox design so that replacing the cabin air filter doesn't necessitate removal of the entire glove box for mere mortals. Now, there is simply a large plastic valance that sits behind the bottom of the glove box (between the bottom of the glove box and the firewall). This valance is easily removed by pulling firmly. You then have access to what looks very similar to the Series 1 filter access area. I used a flat head screwdriver to open the filter cavity door, and pulled out & replaced the filter as shown in the video. One aside on the replacement filter we purchased online. It was a cheapie, and nowhere as pliable and sheer as the original. As a result, it was a bit of an effort to stuff it into the small opening, and I'm unsure how much it will have expanded inside the filter chamber. So, next time, I think we'll go for the Nissan OEM filter.

[@Rythecarguy]

Thanks for the notes on the later models! 👍🏻

[@geothermal]

Yeah, that cover on my 2012 broke very easily when I tried to take it off, so I used some black duct tape to cover the opening to keep dust in/out.

[@6andrew2]

Not a fan of T15 screws however managed to follow your excellent instructions on my RHD Japanese model. Thank you very much.

[@justinsugay1149]

I've been looking for a video like this. I've already found a few but this was the clearest one visually and in explanation. Thank you!

[@Rythecarguy]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@cajunpagan]

Just changed mine on my 2011 Nissan Leaf. I sure wish I would've watched your video first. My cover for the filter housing was there but it barely stays on. I'll order a new one. It seems broken. It will just have to stay like this until next November. I didn't remove the glove box. I didn't know. This 300 pound man has some issue squeezing in there to see it. At least next time I know to remove the glove box. Thanks for the tips.

[@algrayson8965]

On my 2015 Leaf the cabin air filter is in front of the glovebox against the firewall insulation. A panel in the LH side of the inside of the glovebox has a finger hole toward the front the glovebox. Pull the access panel out. The filter box closure panel has a hook at its top and a plastic catch at the bottom. Once you have figured out how to pop it loose once, or have removed the console panel at the left of the passenger (RH) side door well (LHD) and used a small flat blade screwdriver to release the catch, the panel swings toward the right and unhooks from the top. The rest is as he describes and demonstrates. Once you have seen how the filter box closure panel releases you may be able to do the entire job through the glovebox access panel. The trick is releasing the closure panel without breaking the catch. The filter element is wider, or taller top to bottom, than the opening, so the side of the filter sort of kinks inward so that it will squeeze through the rectangular hole in the filter box. This filter element is common with the Sentra and Juke. The instructor’s Leaf is missing the cover of the filter box. As the filter element virtually fills the hole once it expands, a missing cover probably won't leak very much air.

[@meganowen9919]

Thank for that... My 2015 model didn't have interior screws, just 4 top and bottom. I could just get the old filter out but was impossible to get new one in without removing. Cherrs

[@RajGiandeep]

Thank you this was helpful for me! I wanted to route a wire from a small 5 watt solar panel threw a spare hole in the firewall on that side. Just had to remove a rubber stopper & I could connect the solar panel to trickle charge the 12V battery on my 2013 Leaf. The solar panel is small enough to put in the glove box while still connected. Actually passed the wire through that little door in the glove box on the left too. Then I put the cover back on. I can close the glove box with the wire running through and I put the solar panel on the dash

[@peterbiggins6175]

I haven’t got the clip either. Thanks for helpful video. 2013 U.K. Leaf.

[@Rythecarguy]

Of course. Thanks for watching.

[@va7bleh]

thanks for the video! once you've done this once, the next time it's actually possible to just remove the bottom panel and leave the glove box attached... requires some dexterity and familiarity with the positioning of the filter and how to unclip the cover. just did this on my 2014 LEAF today, and watched this video again just to remind myself what it looks like.

[@trevorparque5057]

for those who are technicians trying to do this. you do not need to remove the whole glove box like how he did. just remove the bottom plastic piece and you should be able to see it.

[@chipsdubbo5.56]

You can, but it makes it a lot more cramped and difficult imo

[@brynadone5651]

Worked great for me, thanks for the vid!

[@Tomazack]

Did this on my 2013 leaf tekna, didn't have to remove the glove compartment. Just slide the seat back and get down under the dashboard. It helps to not be a big person here, it's not a very comfortable position.

[@Rythecarguy]

🤘🏻

[@crafter170]

Cheers for the info mate ...

[@mcolinj]

I've found countless instructions on how to do this and the one thing that remains inconsistent is how to orient the filter for the proper airflow direction. Some filters have an arrow pointing to the "Front", others have arrows indicating airflow. Some repair videos says the airflow is toward the front, but that seems to contradict my experience that dirt accumulates on the front of the filter. What's the word on the flow direction?

[@kexray]

Just changed the filter 2015 LEAF. Airflow is coming from the front of the car so the arrow of the filter should be pointing towards the cabin.

[@andthesunsets]

Very helpful. Thanks.

[@241kap]

Thanks this should save me $99.00

[@kylel7402]

nice video very informative

[@raskallen]

Removing the glove box does not work on 2014 modell. Found that out the hrdway

[@jeepsolo7218]

Thanks! Big help.

[@spencerdecaturgeorgia8070]

Thanks so much

[@Rythecarguy]

You’re welcome!

[@witengineer6377]

Now that you got the old filter out it looks pretty dirty. What made you change the filter in the first place though? I bought my leaf with 17k and now I have 87k. I'm sure it's ready for a new one. Thanks for the video.

[@apoch003]

The cabin air filter should be changed at least once a year.

[@algrayson8965]

@@apoch003- Not at $99. I spent my first 60 years riding in cars that had no cabin air filter.

[@paulcristo]

Thanks.

[@Rythecarguy]

No problem.

[@kylel7402]

where can I find the little access port ? so I don't remove the glove box. thanks

[@Rythecarguy]

if you open the glove box the access panel is in the far back left corner

[@kylel7402]

Thank you

[@Rythecarguy]

Anytime!

[@algrayson8965]

@@Rythecarguy- On my 2015 Leaf the access panel inside the glovebox is toward the front on the left side.

[@tgeliot]

No mention of filter direction arrows.

[@Rythecarguy]

Always point them north.

[@lw216316]

Ry -How many miles did you have on that filter you removed ?

[@Rythecarguy]

I’m sorry but I don’t remember.

[@algrayson8965]

I’m confident that my filter element, which is quite dark, is the original, making it 66,000 miles and 5 years old as the previous owner had NO maintenance done other than to replace the tires and the 12v battery. The gearbox ATF was black. The brake fluid has never been replaced. And it’s due for coolant to be drained and refilled (5 years). I did find that the Nissan dealer had the lowest price for Nissan S ATF. I was able to cannibalize a new economy grade wiper for its squeegee. As they were all the same price, $4.97, for 16”-28” I naturally bought a 28”, pulled its squeegee out and installed it in the original weird rear wiper frame. The original squeegee was totally rotted. The edge was gone. Out Odyssey has a similar weird rear wiper frame, which I had replaced its squeegee the same way.

[@lw216316]

@@algrayson8965 thank you - I just turned 65,000 on my 2015. I had the wipers replaced, tires and 12 volt battery but nothing else yet. I still have 11 bars (out of 12) recharge - how is yours doing?

[@xrfreedom]

Thanks for the vids. Any chance you replaced the horn on the leaf?

[@Rythecarguy]

I have not done that. Nothing wrong with mine. It is really pathetic though isn't it? Is yours dead or are you looking to upgrade?

[@xrfreedom]

Looking to upgrade. The horn is too wimpy for me. I got the top shroud off but there wasn't enough room to work. I saw someone take the grill off a versa so I'm going to try that next

[@Rythecarguy]

Yea, that car could def deal with a horn upgrade.

[@seagullnz]

How often should I replace this filter?

[@Rythecarguy]

I would say once a year but it all depends. Check your manual. It might be in there.

[@6andrew2]

I changed mine for the first time in 7 years. It wasn't particularly dirty.

[@jibcano1777]

@3:45 just bend the tip and slide it in

[@Rythecarguy]

👍🏻

[@richardwallinger1683]

great video wrong car.. my Nissan Leaf 2011 is R/H drive .

[@Rythecarguy]

Just turn your car over on its roof and then you can follow the tutorial. 😎🤣. Thank you for watching!

[@algrayson8965]

The HVAC box inside the console is the same. Since RHD cars have the go pedal to the right of the RH footwell, there isn't anything in the way of removing the lower console panel on the left side of the RH footwell. Too bad you Brits didn't swap sides when the Swedes did, before motorway construction really got going. There's no particular advantage to either side of the road. The majority of the world’s population lives where LHD is the standard. It would remove the necessity to build both versions to be able to sell cars and trucks everywhere.

[@ralphfirley3882]

Who the hell designed this idiotic thing? 🤦

[@Rythecarguy]

🤣

[@peternatale6897]

You do not need to remove the glove box, only the bottom access panel. Thumbs down to this video.

[@Rythecarguy]

Lol, ok.

[@BSerrell4]

I did it without removing the glove box. Required painful contortions. Next time I will go to the trouble of removing the glove box!

[@vismantass.2942]

Great video, thank you so much.

[@Mysterytrain323]

Super helpful. Thanks.

[@Rythecarguy]

You're welcome!