Where is the air filter in a 2017 Honda Civic?

The 2017 Honda Civic has two air filters: the engine air filter sits in a black plastic air-cleaner box in the engine bay, typically at the front corner on the driver’s side (left on left-hand-drive cars), while the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box inside the HVAC housing. Below is a clear guide to help you locate and access both.

What “air filter” are we talking about?

Most owners mean the engine air filter, which cleans the air going into the engine for combustion. There’s also a cabin (pollen) air filter that cleans the air entering the interior through the heating and A/C system. Both are user-serviceable on the 2017 Civic across sedan, coupe, and hatchback models, including 2.0L and 1.5T trims.

Engine air filter location

Open the hood and look for a rectangular or square black plastic box connected to a large intake tube and a snorkel that points toward the front grille. On most 2017 Civics sold in North America (left-hand drive), this air-cleaner box is positioned near the front left corner of the engine bay, close to the driver-side headlight. On right-hand-drive markets, it appears on the mirror side. The box is secured with clips or screws and houses a flat panel filter. The location is consistent across the 2.0L naturally aspirated and 1.5L turbo engines; high-performance variants (Si/Type R) use a similar box in the same general area with performance intake routing.

How to access/replace the engine air filter (2016–2021 Civic)

The following steps outline a typical access procedure that applies to most 2017 Civic trims. You’ll need a Phillips screwdriver or a 10 mm socket for screws (if equipped) and a clean, dry cloth.

1. Park on a level surface, switch off the engine, and open the hood. Let hot components cool.
2. Locate the air-cleaner box near the front corner of the engine bay, connected to the intake tube.
3. Release the retaining method: unclip the metal spring clips or remove the small screws/bolts around the lid.
4. Lift the lid just enough to clear the tabs and the intake tube; do not stress attached sensors or wiring.
5. Pull out the rectangular panel filter and note its orientation (airflow and sealing lip).
6. Clean any loose debris from the air box with a dry cloth; don’t let dirt fall into the intake.
7. Install the new filter in the same orientation, ensuring the rubber seal sits evenly in the groove.
8. Re-seat the lid carefully and reattach clips/screws without overtightening.

After reassembly, check that the lid is fully seated around the perimeter to prevent unfiltered air bypass. No electronic reset is required. Honda generally recommends inspection around 15,000–30,000 miles (24,000–48,000 km) or sooner in dusty conditions; consult your owner’s manual for the interval that matches your driving environment.

Cabin air filter location

The cabin air filter is mounted behind the glove box, inside the HVAC blower housing. You access it by lowering the glove box and removing a small rectangular access door. This design is common to the 10th-generation Civic (model years 2016–2021) across body styles.

How to access/replace the cabin air filter

These steps work for most 2017 Civic trims. You typically don’t need tools, but a flashlight can help.

1. Open the passenger-side glove box and empty contents.
2. Unhook the small damper arm/cord on the right side of the glove box (if equipped).
3. Squeeze the sides of the glove box inward to clear the plastic stops and let it swing down fully.
4. Behind the lowered glove box, locate the rectangular cabin filter door on the HVAC housing and press the side tabs to remove it.
5. Slide the cabin filter tray out and note the airflow direction arrow (usually points down on Hondas).
6. Insert the new filter with the arrow aligned to the airflow direction; avoid crushing the pleats.
7. Reinstall the access door, swing the glove box back up, snap the side stops into place, and reattach the damper arm.

A fresh cabin filter can improve HVAC performance and odor control. Many owners replace it every 12,000–15,000 miles (20,000–24,000 km) or annually, more often in urban, smoky, or dusty environments. Ensure the airflow arrow orientation matches the markings on the housing.

Quick troubleshooting if you can’t find it

If the layout under your hood or behind the glove box looks different—common with market-specific models or aftermarket intakes—these pointers can help you confirm you’re in the right place.

• Look for the mass airflow sensor wiring near the engine air-cleaner lid; it’s a good landmark.
• Follow the large intake tube from the throttle body/turbo inlet back to the air-cleaner box.
• Behind the glove box, the cabin filter door is the only removable rectangular panel on the HVAC housing.
• If your Civic has an aftermarket intake, the engine filter may be a cone-style unit mounted where the air box was.
• Consult the 2017 Civic owner’s manual diagram for your exact trim, or check the under-hood emissions label area for visual cues.

These checks usually resolve confusion caused by trim differences or modifications, ensuring you service the correct component without disassembly elsewhere.

Summary

In the 2017 Honda Civic, the engine air filter is inside the black air-cleaner box in the engine bay—typically at the front driver-side corner on left-hand-drive cars—while the cabin air filter sits behind the glove box inside the HVAC housing. Both are straightforward to access with basic steps and minimal tools, and routine replacement helps maintain performance, efficiency, and cabin air quality.

How to replace cabin air filter on a 2017 Honda Civic?

Down. And your filter is exposed now gently pull that out as you can see it’s pretty dirty. All you have to do is pop in the new filter. The only thing you need to worry about is the airflow.

Where is the air filter located in a Honda Civic?

So there’s little tabs. On each side. Um that you just got to kind of feel. For. So there’s the one on the left. There’s the same one on the same side on the right.

Where is the 2017 Honda Civic air filter?

And snap here on the right hand side so first you’re gonna unclip that unclip that and your air box cover is just gonna lift right up. And underneath there you’ll see the air filter.

How many air filters are in a 2017 Honda Civic?

two
There are two essential air filters in your 2017 Honda Civic. The engine air filter is located in the engine bay and is used to filter out harmful particles that may cause wear and tear to your vehicle’s engine.