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Audi Q5/Q7, A3, and A4 B8: How to Replace Cabin Air Filter

A replacement air filter will ensure the inside of your Audi remains free of contaminants all year round.

By Charlie Gaston - March 25, 2016

This article applies to the Audi Q5/Q7, A3 8V, and A4 B8 (1996-Present).

If you want to prevent harmful contaminants from entering—as well as possibly interfering with—your engine while you drive, then there's no way around it. You'll need to replace your cabin air filter during regularly scheduled intervals. Otherwise, you are certain to experience a slow increase in the amount of dust, pollen, dirt and other contaminants that enter your Audi Q5/Q7, A4 B8 or A3 8V through your dashboard. Even if you don't run your air conditioner or heating system on a regular basis, these particles can still enter your car through your front vents (without much resistance) and cause discomfort to you and your passengers.

Audi Q5/Q7, A3, and A4 B8: How to Replace Cabin Air Filter

Materials Needed

  • K&N air filter replacement
  • NPN air filter replacement (for Audi A4)

Step 1 – Access your air filter

Head over to the passenger side of your car. Looking down at the foot well (beneath your glove box), you should immediately notice a black, foam cover held securely in place by three dark thumbscrews. Go ahead and unscrew each of the three thumbscrews, and then pull off the foam cover by hand.

Remove the white plastic cover that was previously held in place by the foam cover. Slide the cover to the right, and then remove the piece of grey foam located behind the fan motor.

You are now ready to pull out your old filter and replace it with a new one.

  • Placement thumbscrews on air filter
    Figure 1. Notice the placement of the thumbscrews in the above photo.
  • air filter cover removed
    Figure 2. In this photo the cover has been removed.
  • Air filter foam removed
    Figure 3. This is the foam piece that needs to be removed.
  • removing, replacing cabin air filter
    Figure 4. Replace your air filter.

Pro Tips

  • You may want to remove your floor mats before beginning this step.
  • For the Audi Q7, you'll need to pop the hood of your car. Then, while standing facing your engine, go ahead and remove the plastic cover that goes to the air filter box located to the left of you. Unclip the securing clips, and then replace your air filter.

Step 2 – Replace your air filter

Now that you've pulled out your old air filter and discarded it safely inside a trashcan, go ahead and slide the replacement filter into place within the housing. Make sure to push the replacement air filter all the way into the housing before attempting to slide the white, plastic cover back into place, with the foam you previously removed. Once you slide it closed, you are now ready to replace the final foam piece and lock the housing using the same thumbscrews.

Air filter part number 8KO 819 439A
Figure 5. Order part number 8KO 819 439A.

Pro Tip

Replace your air filter every 15,000 miles. Mark your maintenance schedule, so you know when it's time to replace your air filter in the future.

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