Cabin filter change

The content of any article might be expanded / improved in the future - revisit it sometimes.
Seen a mistake? Know something that isn't written? Edit and change this article yourself!
Some images in the article (if present) can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Introduction

It appears that most people do not realize that the Jimny has a pollen filter, or at least has the facility for a pollen filter.

Most manuals never refer to it, even in the Service Guide.

A lot of people, particularly those who drive off-road, are tired of the clouds of leaves that hit you in the face when you open the fascia vents. Fitting a pollen filter is straight forward once you know where it is hidden.

If your Jimny already has a cabin filter installed (but you have not been aware of it), the filter is probably heavily clogged.

Old dirty cabin filter

• This is an example of a cabin filter which has not been changed for at least five years.
• This filter was almost white when it was new.
• That picture was taken after the leaves and grit were cleaned off from the filter.
• The weight of that dirty filter was around 800 grams!

The filter itself

So, first you need a pollen filter [See the BigJimny Shop Filter)

File:Cabin filter.jpg

Cabin Filter

The appearance and construction of a cabin filter may vary slightly from one manufacturer to another. Some filters are two-part, some are glued or taped two-part (like the one in the picture), and some are one-part. Always make sure to check the dimensions.

The quality of a filter may vary significantly from one manufacturer to another. The main difference is in the presence or absence of various filtering elements which filter out certain things. For example, a filter with or without carbon particles.

Filter cover

Cabin Filter

• You may wish to consider buying a spare cover at the same time (See the BigJimny Shop Cover)

It is common to break the filter cover when removing it as the plastic becomes brittle.

Changing / Installing a filter

Tools

• Assorted screwdrivers or blade

I cannot emphasis too strongly how easy it is to break the old cover!

Installation

Passenger footwell

• Here is the filter cover, up underneath the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle

Here is the cover in the footwell

Open brake caliper

• First remove the glovebox.
• This is done by flexing the sidewalls so the plastic retaining lugs can drop past the edge of the fascia.
• Lower the whole glovebox away.
• I am using a screwdriver with the end protected by a cloth to stop it marking the fascia, as I use it to prise away the retaining lugs.

Cabin filter cover retaining clips

Glovebox dropped open

• The filter cover is retained by small clips on the end.
• The tip of the scewdriver points to where the clip is (hidden).

Using blade to prise clip

• Warm the plastic filter cover.
• Either use a hairdrier or allow the car's own heater to warm the car (on re-circulate setting).
• If the plastic is cold it is more likely to fracture.
• Insert a small blade into the filter retaining lugs and gently prise it away from the edge of the moulded catches on the heater body.
• Do this a bit at a time alternating front and back.

Inserting the cabin filter

• If you have a UK Jimny, you are more than likely to find an empty hole now (full of bits of leafs).
• Simply insert the cabin filter.

Press the new cover on

• Gently press the filter cover back into place.

Broken!!

• Don't think that you will be immune to breaking the filter cover - here is mine!

---

Page last edited on 20/09/2017 by user Bosanek