Cabin Air Filter Arrow Up Or Down Air Flow Direction

In this video I talk about what the arrow means on a cabin air filter. It could mean installation direction, or it could mean air flow direction. I show you how you can determine the air flow direction and make sure your cabin air filter is properly installed. Thanks for watching!
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For reasons beyond the control of Todd’s Garage there is no guarantee of the information in this video and/or description. Use of the information in this video and/or description is at your own risk. Todd’s Garage recommends the use of proper safety equipment and taking all safety precautions when working with the tools, items, or other things seen or talked about in this video and/or description. The information in this video and/or description does not guarantee a certain result or warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. Under no circumstances shall Todd’s Garage have any liability or responsibility for any injury, damage, or loss of any kind that may result from the use of the tools, items, information, or other things seen or talked about in this video and/or description. Any Injury, damage, or loss of any kind that may result from the use of the tools, items, information, or other things seen or talked about in this video and/or description is the sole responsibility and liability of the user.

[@anthonystreeter7217]

It's funny. This is one of the easiest things to do, but when you start second guessing yourself you spend 45 minutes on KZbin trying to find videos like this for confirmation 🤣 Thanks for the video!👍

[@reinicols]

That’s exactly how I found this video… second guessing 😂

[@anythingsgood236]

Exactly why I’m here!ha

[@anthonystreeter7217]

@@anythingsgood236 lol! The aftermarket one I bought doesn't have arrows on it. So I just put it in the way I thought it goes in. Didn't blow strong. So I flipped it, still didn't blow strong. So I just took it out completely, now it's like a wind tunnel. Hope that helps.

[@anythingsgood236]

@@anthonystreeter7217 why didnt I think of that before?! It was tough to put the glove compartment back in so dont wanna go through that again but for sure when this new filter needs replacement I’ll follow your advice.

[@67lnr80]

And now here I am 🤣🤣

[@carycoller3140]

I wasn't paying attention when removed my cabin filters, so I didn't know which way the airflow arrow should point. I watched almost 10 videos on this subject and they were ALL garbage. None of them made sense until I got to your video. When you said one side of the old filter will be dirtier than the other side, it all clicked for me. I'll never get it wrong again. Thanks for that simple observation.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching and I'm glad this video helped!

[@Dhanukakw]

😂but I already cleaned both sides and now I don't know which side should go up or down 😢

[@MarcKlark]

This is the #1 cabin air flow direction video. So easy after watching this.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate the feedback!

[@peace2725]

Well.i saw lot of video arrow point up so the put the arrow up not down???

[@jaysonmorris533]

Thanks Todd! I just received a 04 corolla and after reading the owners manual I thought the arrow went up. After watching this video and looking at the manual again you are 100% correct. Thank you for clarifying this for me.

[@HouseRLS]

Thanks! Finally a video that explains it well and also love the tip on how to tell the airflow direction by which side of the filter is dirty.

[@outdoors445]

Finally, a air cabin filter install that makes sense. Thank you!

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching! Glad it helped!

[@MarcKlark]

Exactly. It was so complicated until now.

[@jorgevega719]

This helped me! I did not even realize it when you said “sometimes your filter cartridge will even tell you which direction to face “

[@brucestrickland8704]

Thanks for the explanation. Started to insert my new STP filter and saw that the writing would be upside down if I pointed it the direction of the airflow arrow which confused me since my original air filter was printed rightside up. Amazing how simple issues can dumbfound logical thinkers. 😂 Thanks for the clarification.

[@CheyFrawley]

Thanks a ton, helped me figure out which side to put the air filter in! Hope to find more of your videos when learning about my car, keep up the good work!

[@himartinez3515]

I learned something new as I was following the manual, which said airflow goes up on the 2018 Camry. Thanks.

[@jesustijerina7790]

On point. Look for debris. Mine had leaves, Styrofoam on one side.

[@l...]

Maybe the difference is in the filter frame so that it is flat on the surface to prevent leakage of unfiltered air

[@Dustedpages2]

2018 Tacoma arrow down, that is the airflow direction. My ac fan was running as it should but the air it was pushing was restricted so I had to turn it up almost on high to get cool. Yep cabin filter replacement fixed the problem and now it will blow my hat off and freeze was nose on high. lol. I'm sure a dirty filter is not good for the fan motor and more importantly not good for the air you are breathing. So arrow pointing down! It's that simple on 3rd generation Tacoma. Hope this helps.

[@izzatj9357]

Thank you for the common sense! Easy thing made difficult by second guessing. My old filter doesn't have any arrow indicator.

[@njsongwriter]

The cover on most Toyotas have an arrow on it and it says up. This is still not indicating air flow. It's simply telling you which edge of the cover goes up. Air flow is down. All horizontally mounted cabin air filters with the blower motor mounted below the filter will have downward air flow direction otherwise the blower motor would be full of dirt and debris.

[@HJM_555]

What good direction to the Toyota the manual I said up

[@ugabrew]

Pretty dumb of Toyota to put an up arrow on the cover to a part where people need to know the direction of airflow… and when the direction of airflow is actually down. We don’t really need an arrow to figure out how to reattach that plastic cover since it only goes on one way.

[@AegisHyperon]

Suzuki did the same thing

[@futurus777]

This was the information I was exactly looking for. Better explained than this video and all others. thanks a million.

[@njsongwriter]

@@HJM_555 The Toyota owner's manual says to point the arrow up because it's telling you how to install an OEM Toyota branded filter which tells you which side goes up and says nothing about air flow.

[@wilamor4897]

Your video is the most reliable and very well explained. Thank you for your time uploading this video 👍

[@y3lloh]

Wow I've always wondered this and never thought to consider just checking what side is dirty 🙄

[@jrose7849]

Thanks for taking the time to make this video, you helped me out!

[@canada_dry]

Thank u for clear instructions

[@MathiasJarlson]

Great explanation about the dirty side! Makes way more sense

[@Dhanukakw]

Should the carbon side go up or down if the air is flowing top to bottom??

[@nancyraleigh6366]

BEST explanation! Thanks!

[@mybuddyboy1974]

Thank you, i had no idea where the airflow was in my auto cabin, you helped me a lot

[@priit7777]

But if there is only arrow and no "air flow" text?

[@trublurose4738]

I just purchased an aftermarket replacement cabin filter for my 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan. The air filter I took out had air flow arrows pointing down, and debris was on the top as I removed it. The new filter has printed instructions that say air flow arrows are supposed to point up.🤷‍♀️ I followed their instructions at first, but after watching this video, I just switched it to match the way I had the previous one in. Hopefully it will be right now. Who really knows? And does it really matter? Honestly, thos filter looks the exact same on both sides.

[@debbergfeld6022]

simple and easy to understand instruction. Thanks!

[@carlthetruthwilliams9447]

not so fast Todd... 2013 rav4 Manual say arrows should be pointing up. Replacement filter says arrows should be pointed down. Orig. filter had arrows pointed down......????????? Debris on the one taken out was heavy on top so I installed mine with the arrows down....right? Installed Purolator brand...

[@Sades1990]

My 2006 Toyota Avalon manual also says that the arrow should be pointing up.

[@carlthetruthwilliams9447]

@@Sades1990 it's confusing. depending brand of filter.

[@njsongwriter]

@@Sades1990 That's because the Toyota owner's manual thinks you're installing a Toyota OEM filter that has "up" arrows on it. Those directions ONLY apply to filters with "up" arrows not to filters with "air flow" arrows which by default is the industry standard. If you insist on following the directions in the owner's manual then you need to restrict yourself to buying OEM filters from the dealer.

[@tardeliesmagic]

My UK Yaris filter cover show direction upwards & the filter itself shows downwards....so downwards it is?

[@momentum12]

Excellent description on Proper Air Flow Direction!

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@peterrudy9207]

I have a 2020 Toyota Camry , installed a WIX brand cabin air filter . Installed it with arrow pointing up [ towards windshield ] as it said UP . Wix says strangely I think arrow points towards " airflow " . I assume I installed it correctly . I don't care which way the air flows at all . Simply put an arrow and say install UP or DOWN . Don't confuse customers with any other nonsense

[@MoMo-jq3tq]

What about Vertically Mounted filters, as in "on their narrow edge", like BMWs, where it is standing up (front to back, not Top to Bottom). I know the answer, but you may not want to "simplify" this with a blanket statement, as you did. Step back, read a few posts, realize that the filter manufacturers spend big-bucks tooling up their factories(including printing part #s & (flow)arrows on the edges to keep their contractual obligations with the vehicle manufacturers, and parts supply stores. No disparaging here, just asking posters to try a little awareness and logic. Be well.

[@ap50]

Most helpful video

[@Ricotet4]

I bought a Motorcraft cabin air filter that has no arrow indication. What do I do? Should I try both directions and see which gives the best performance?

[@KF-hb5vx]

Thank you this was the most clear video regarding this thanks

[@OJ9301]

My 05 honda says air flow direction should go down when I got my cabin air filter it’s poking up ⬆️ so I could just match what my cabin says and flip and make it point down? So match the arrow?

[@yamilparedes483]

Excelente video. Agradecido por la aclaratoria

[@benbjacks]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@milesfifer171]

The purolator filter for my 2016 f150 has the arrow pointing the wrong way. You have to install with the arrow going the wrong way for the filter to fit right. And yes it's the right filter for it. Most of these filters will flow the same either way. You would think the R&D department at purolator would have enough brains to get something this simple right. But then again most engineers have never worked on anything in their life but a computer

[@G-T33]

excellent vid, thanks

[@MarcKlark]

Dynamite!! Thank you for a excellent explanation on cabin air filter replacement with regard to that arrow question.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching! I appriciate your comment!

[@zliu1995]

I just had this problem. It was confusing, but one can quickly figure out you can't install it the other way (still confusing).. German engineering???

[@ami2846]

My Nissan Almera filter just says which is the “end plate” or the edge that faces outward when you push it into the slot. The manual says go to your dealer lol. So uhh. I still don’t know which way is front or back.

[@RagingUtai]

The issue with mine, is the the sticker that had air flow down. I couldnt get it all the way in, it just just out and wouldn't close. It would only fit in if it moved it sideways

[@williammurray8060]

I bought a Chinese aftermarket, no arrow???? Was told that gray side goes away from fan.

[@diegomoya8404]

Thank you!

[@MegaCoreyy]

I got a stp max cabin air filter my Honda says air flow down but the cabin air filter says air flow with arrow up if I flip the air filter so the arrows face down all the words like made in china are upside down does that matter? I have it with arrows up should I flip it?

[@ToddsGarage]

Hi and thanks for watching. if the STP filter says air flow and has an arrow pointing a direction you want to align that with whatever the cabin air flow direction is in your vehicle. Even if the letters are upside down. Hope that makes sense. Thanks for watching.

[@michaelmoore2802]

Thank you...very informative..

[@ianforster2573]

I'm still lost. Many different opinions, both face to face & online.

[@DeruginizCLS]

Does the fan get louder after changing filter? Mine was super dirty and clogged up with pine needles, leaves and dust. After changing the filter my fan got so much louder

[@Nocing]

Yes bc it’s actually being able to breathe same way your engine may sound louder after replacing air filter

[@HT_LBC]

Thanks for the excellent video! I bought an after-market filter, there is an arrow but no information whether it is an air flow or installation arrow. My original 2014 Corolla air filter installed with arrow up, but on the original has text says "This side up". Confuse which one to follow when installing the after-market one. Any thought? Thanks!

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching! That's too bad if it doesn't say air flow or direction, no way to know, I am not sure. You could try calling the company for verification of what the arrow means. Thanks again for checking out the video!

[@njsongwriter]

By default, an air filter that has an arrow on the edge of it indicates air flow direction unless it says up next to the arrow. WIX brand is one example.

[@ZombieZakSTL]

On the Corolla the factory filter has an arrow and says install arrow pointing up. If you put an aftermarket fllter in the arrow is in the direction of airflow. On the Corolla the air flows downward from the cowl toward the blower motor. So if you have a factory Toyota cabin air filter the arrow faces up on an aftermarket filter the arrow will face down.

[@sassasins031]

Toyota Dealer Service will replace the Cabin Filter with a Toyota product meaning it will say "UP" on the filter and not "AIR FLOW". The arrow will also point up. As explained in the video aftermarket filters, non Toyota, will say "AIR FLOW" and so you then follow that direction.

[@michaelkay519]

For a 2005 Nissan Altima which direction would you say the air flow is up or down

[@ToddsGarage]

HI Michael, thanks for watching. I am not sure, you will need to look in the owners manual to see if it gives you any information, if not you could try to reach out to the dealership to see if they can tell you the correct direction. Thanks again for watching!

[@njsongwriter]

All horizontally mounted cabin air filters with the blower motor mounted below the filter will have downward air flow.

[@kingchopyurd4061]

I couldn’t get the filter in with the words facing me so I put it sideways where the words face the right side of the car is that ok or should I change it

[@jassingh7086]

Same just happened with me, did it end up okay for you?

[@bigjohnscomedy]

My cabin filter doesn't have any arrow what way should I put it?

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching, I am not sure if there is no arrow. I would contact the manufacturer. Thanks again for watching!

[@hecdavid11]

Got the same problem. No arrow at all. I think including such arrow should be a standard in cabin air filter to avoid problems

[@annakmeneses]

The cabin air filter replacement I got doesn't have an arrow, just letters. How do I know which way is up? I have a 2005 Honda Civic LX... the arrow on the plastic shows down.. Thank you!

[@ToddsGarage]

Hi I'm not sure on that car, good luck and I hope you get it. Thanks for watching!

[@njsongwriter]

Some cheap filters and counterfeit filters have no air flow or up arrows. If the filter sits in a plastic holder of tray and there is an arrow on the tray that says "up" next to it that's just telling you how the tray goes back in & does not indicate air flow direction.

[@masterofnone1808]

All horizontally mounted cabin air filters with the blower motor mounted below the filter have downward air flow. If there are no arrows, I would simply put it in so the letters/numbers are right side up. If it has a wire mesh on one side, that side would go down. Also if it had carbon in it the darker side would go down.

[@alexdonhauser8870]

If it was installed upside down the last time would it have done damage to the car?

[@njsongwriter]

No. Of course not. It just won't filter as well and will likely need to be replaced sooner.

[@patriceoneil4461]

Okay BUUUT Thank you for the valuable information btw but What if the arrows don't say air flow near them. There's just arrows there with nothing really saying what they mean.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching! That is a good question and unfortunately no way to know for sure without asking the manufacturer.

[@njsongwriter]

By default an arrow on the edge of any air filter indicates air flow direction unless it says otherwise on the filter.

[@DogePlayz554]

Hey Toad if my cabin air filter says for the air flow to go up do i put it up?

[@njsongwriter]

Air always flows toward the blower motor when the filter is mounted above the blower; otherwise the blower would have dirt trapped inside of it.

[@Altepeter]

Ok, problem solved; my instincts were right. You confirmed.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for Watching! Glad the video helped!

[@adamsala9291]

There's no arrows on some filter why!

[@sr1928]

Todd changed cabin filter on 2017 crv arrow points up and that's how l did it was l right?

[@ToddsGarage]

Hi thanks for watching, I am not sure on the crv which way the arrow goes, hopefully you got it figured out.

[@njsongwriter]

Any cabin air filter that is horizontally mounted with the blower motor mounted below the filter has downward air flow. ⬇️ However, if it says up next to the arrow on the filter then the arrow has nothing to do with air flow direction and should point up.

[@philippevandenberghe5827]

I have a Kamoka cabin filter, one side is yellow-ish, the arrows are there but not the words "air flow" next to these arrows. There is no way of knowing if the arrows indicate the air flow or the mounting direction. I know the air in my car flows downwards, because i saw the old filter and debrie was on top. Somebody knows?

[@njsongwriter]

If it doesn't say "up" next to the arrows then the arrows should point down in the direction of air flow which is the industry standard for an air filter.

[@alexandertoganov8927]

My man

[@matt5802]

thank you

[@ToddsGarage]

Thanks for watching!

[@misterscruffle]

My cabin filter doesn’t have an arrow

[@domirodriguez9949]

Thank u

[@josephd2059]

Thank you, I just corrected mine.

[@ToddsGarage]

Thank you for watching! Glad this helped

[@josephd2059]

@@ToddsGarage The reason I changed my cabin air filter today was because I Replaced my blower motor. I just wanted to thank you for the video on how to change the blower motor. For months I have been stressed out because it was going out periodically and I did not know what was wrong. I came across your video and did it exactly as you instructed and now I have a working AC heating system again. I now can drive to work in the cold early morning and not have to worry about a frosted windshield with no heating. Thank you again. The clock is next, as mine is doing the same.

[@ToddsGarage]

Awesome, glad to hear that video helped! Ya the clock issue is a common one unfortunately. Good luck!

[@Sades1990]

My manual says to have the arrow pointing up.

[@njsongwriter]

Your owner's manual is telling you how to install an OEM Toyota brand filter. It is not telling you how to install an aftermarket brand. The Toyota brand filter says "up" next to the arrows so the arrows indicate which side goes up. The air flow direction is always downward on all horizontally mounted cabin air filters with the blower motor mounted below the filter.

[@E4610]

I used common sense... Down flow to catch the dirt... Can you imagine gravity dropping captured debris into the system

[@cvshav]

Summary: air flow arrow down for Siennas

[@gummybear41283]

I still dont understand which way to put my filter!!!!

[@ToddsGarage]

Hi Bob, Do you know what way the air flow direction is in your vehicle?

[@gummybear41283]

@@ToddsGarage no

[@uncapabrew4807]

I’m still lost ! 😱🤣🤣

[@Ky-go1wj]

Me too he didn’t explain it

[@plutobonchii]

what about no arrow

[@docfrankenstein4086]

Hopefully they aren't all made in China!!! 🙄

[@timsmith8391]

What if the cover was flipped?

[@rtothemutha]

Thank you!