MurrayA4

So I decided it was time to freshen things up in the 2014 Q5 being mid-summer and all that.Purchased a new cabin filter from Audi and proceeded to undertake the swap. I've done hundreds of cabin filters (auto tech & retired garage owner) so I figured "piece of cake" - hah ! Access is easy enough, although I'll admit that I was disappointed that Audi engineers didn't incorporate a bunch of different sized torx fasteners to secure the cover, but I digress.I carefully observed the orientation of the filter and compared old to new to confirm size.I then proceeded to spend a good hour on my back in the hot sun trying to STUFF the new filter back into its slot! No way was that sucker going in far enough to reinstall the plastic slide cover.I used a light and a mirror to try to understand what the obstruction could be but no joy.Finally I crammed that thing up there all scrunched (technical term) and that was that.I checked that air flow was alright, it was, but can't help but feel that there's something not right.So just wondering if anyone else has shared the same pleasant experience ?

spijun

Here:
Cabin Filter Replacement: Audi Q5 2009-2014 - 2010 Audi Q5 Premium 3.2L V6

Audi Q5 cabin air filter location | Car filters location, air filter, oil filter, pollen filter

Same is for the Q5:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a4-.../#post24053734

It is so easy, for 15 minutes replacing filters

MurrayA4

Thanks spijun
As usual your database of info and your willingness to help is astounding and appreciated.
In my case, that which is theoretically simple turned out to be miserably difficult.Not uncommon in the world of automotive work LOL.

ELEVENS

Ditto on spijun's amazing helpfulness.

15 minutes seems a VERY generous time allowance. I'd say more like 5 minutes tops. Something's not right

stash64

I agree with above. I did the swap out just recently myself and took less than 5 minutes. Are you sure they gave you the right filter? It has a "chamfer" on the leading edge, one side only. As a result, it can be installed only one way... without "scrunching".

MurrayA4

Well I'm more than willing to admit that I've been guilty of "operator error" more than once in my life, but in this case I plead innocent.Filter was the same part no. -Mann- and orientation was correct chamfer to the right side.So who knows ? It really met resistance with about 3" protruding from the bottom.Tried every angle wiggle etc.I even tried changing the airflow to recirculate in case there was a flap interfering even though none was visible with my mirror.

awryexperiment

I changed the cabin filter on our 2010. A key was to remove all of the floomats and slide the seat back as far as possible. That extra 1/2" of floormat can make a big difference.

MurrayA4

Yes I did remove the floormat.Starting to think I'm just a dummkopf.

TTG

Bumping an old thread.

I recently replaced the cabin air filter with a OEM unit and it sure took 3 mins and I was quite surprised how dirty the 3 year old filter was.

We live in Seattle where I would not consider it as a dusty climate. Car only has 10K miles on it.

What I don't understand is the amount of $$$$ dealer charges for this.

Not buying Audi care was the best thing for a car that will do low miles.

Cost of owner ship has been minimal at 2 oil changes (one was free at 5K) and this cabin air filter. It will go in for the 3rd oil change in a month or so.

Dealer still does the 100 point inspection even when it is in for an annual oil change which costs $90.

For folks with no Audi Care, Do your own Cabin Air filter. No tools are required and it is a piece of cake.