Where to Find the Air Filter on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The engine air filter on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra is located inside the black plastic air filter box (air cleaner housing) in the engine bay, on the driver’s side near the front of the vehicle; the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box inside the passenger compartment. Understanding the difference between these two filters and how to access them helps owners perform basic maintenance and avoid unnecessary service charges.

Engine Air Filter Location in the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

For the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, the engine air filter sits in an easily accessible housing designed to be opened without special tools on most trims. This housing draws air from the front of the car, routes it through the filter, and then into the intake system to protect the engine from dust and debris.

Exact Position Under the Hood

When you open the hood of a 2021 Elantra and look toward the driver’s side front corner of the engine bay, you will see the air cleaner housing. It is a rectangular or slightly square black plastic box connected to a large intake tube that runs toward the engine’s throttle body.

The following list outlines how to visually confirm you have found the engine air filter housing on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra.

• Open the hood: Pull the hood release lever inside the cabin, then release the safety catch at the front of the car and prop the hood open.
• Locate the driver’s side front area: Stand in front of the vehicle and look toward the left side (driver’s side) near the radiator support.
• Identify the air cleaner box: Look for a black plastic box, typically rectangular, with metal clips or screws around its perimeter and a thick black tube leading from it toward the engine.
• Confirm by intake duct: Trace the plastic duct running from the front grille area or air intake snorkel into this box; that confirms it as the engine air filter housing.
• Note label or markings: Some Elantras have small molded icons or text on the housing indicating “AIR” or an air intake symbol, further confirming its purpose.

Once you identify the air cleaner housing in this location and confirm the intake duct connections, you can be confident you have found where the engine air filter is installed on your 2021 Elantra.

How to Access the Engine Air Filter

Most 2021 Hyundai Elantra trims use a clip-on or screw-secured lid on the air cleaner housing, making access straightforward for basic home maintenance. The filter itself is a rectangular paper or synthetic element that lifts directly out of the box once the cover is opened.

The steps below describe the general access process for the engine air filter on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra.

1. Park and secure the car: Ensure the engine is off, the parking brake is engaged, and the engine is cool to the touch.
2. Open the hood: Use the interior hood release lever and the front safety catch, then secure the hood with the prop rod or struts.
3. Locate the air cleaner housing: Find the black box on the driver’s side front of the engine bay, attached to the intake tube.
4. Release the fasteners: Unclip the metal retaining clips or remove the small screws (Phillips or 10 mm bolts, depending on trim and market) holding the lid in place.
5. Lift the cover: Gently raise the top of the housing, pivoting it upward enough to expose the filter inside without straining attached hoses.
6. Remove the filter: Grasp the filter element and lift it straight out of the box, taking care not to knock loose debris into the housing.
7. Inspect and replace if needed: Check for heavy dirt, leaves, or discoloration; if dirty, replace with a new filter of the correct size and specification.
8. Reinstall the housing cover: Seat the new or cleaned filter squarely in the box, align the cover, and re-secure the clips or screws firmly.

Following these steps keeps access to the engine air filter simple while helping ensure the housing closes properly and no unfiltered air bypasses the filter element.

Why the Engine Air Filter Location Matters

Knowing the exact location of the engine air filter helps owners manage routine service intervals and diagnose certain driveability issues. A clogged filter, reachable at the front driver’s side of the engine bay, can cause reduced performance, poor fuel economy, and in some cases rough running—problems that can be prevented or eased with a quick inspection in this easily accessible area.

Cabin Air Filter Location in the 2021 Hyundai Elantra

A separate filter, the cabin air filter, cleans the air that flows through the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system into the passenger compartment. On the 2021 Elantra, this filter is not in the engine bay; it is hidden behind the glove box assembly on the passenger side.

Exact Position Behind the Glove Box

Inside the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, the cabin air filter sits in a slot behind a rectangular access cover located in the HVAC case directly behind the glove box. Accessing it typically requires lowering or removing the glove box so you can reach the filter compartment.

The following list explains how to find the cabin air filter location via the glove box area.

• Move to the passenger seat: Sit in the front passenger seat to face the glove box on the dashboard.
• Open the glove box: Pull the handle to fully open the glove box door and expose its inner compartment.
• Release glove box stops: Gently press in on the sides of the glove box to override the built-in side stops so the compartment can drop down further than normal.
• Lower the glove box: Allow the glove box door and bin to swing downward, revealing the plastic structure and components behind it.
• Locate the rectangular panel: Look directly behind where the glove box normally sits; a horizontal rectangular plastic cover (often with small clips or tabs) marks the cabin air filter access door.
• Confirm by markings: Some panels are labeled with arrows indicating airflow or icons related to the HVAC system, confirming this is the cabin filter location.

With the glove box lowered and the access door identified, you have pinpointed the precise location of the cabin air filter for your 2021 Hyundai Elantra.

How to Access the Cabin Air Filter

Accessing the cabin air filter is typically a tool-free process and can be done in just a few minutes. The filter is a flat, rectangular cartridge that slides in and out of the HVAC housing behind the glove box.

The list below outlines the common steps to access and replace the cabin air filter on a 2021 Elantra.

1. Turn off the vehicle: Switch off the ignition and HVAC system to avoid fan operation while working.
2. Open and lower the glove box: Open the glove box, press in the side panels to release the stops, and let the glove box drop down to reveal the area behind it.
3. Detach any damper arm (if equipped): Some models include a small side damper cord; gently unhook it to let the glove box swing fully down.
4. Locate the cabin filter cover: Find the rectangular plastic access door on the HVAC housing directly behind the lowered glove box.
5. Release cover tabs: Press or pinch the side tabs on the cover and pull it straight off to open the filter compartment.
6. Remove the filter: Grasp the exposed edge of the old cabin filter and carefully slide it out toward you, noting the airflow direction arrows printed on the frame.
7. Install the new filter: Insert the replacement cabin filter with its airflow arrow oriented according to the markings on the housing—typically pointing downward in Hyundai models.
8. Reassemble components: Refit the plastic cover, reattach the damper arm if present, and lift the glove box back into position so the side stops re-engage.

Performing these steps properly ensures clean, filtered air inside the cabin and restores the glove box to its normal operation without rattles or misalignment.

Differences Between Engine and Cabin Air Filters

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra uses two distinct air filters that serve different purposes and sit in different parts of the car. Mixing them up can lead to confusion during do-it-yourself maintenance, especially since both are often simply called “air filters” in casual conversation.

The following list clarifies the main differences between the engine and cabin air filters in a 2021 Elantra.

• Location: The engine air filter is in the engine bay, inside the air cleaner housing on the driver’s side front; the cabin air filter is behind the glove box in the passenger compartment.
• Function: The engine air filter protects the engine by cleaning incoming combustion air; the cabin air filter protects occupants by cleaning the air entering the HVAC system.
• Appearance: Both are rectangular, but engine filters often have a sturdier frame and deeper pleats, while cabin filters may use specialized media such as charcoal for odor control.
• Symptoms when dirty: A clogged engine filter can reduce power and fuel economy and sometimes alter engine sound; a dirty cabin filter can weaken airflow from vents and worsen fogging or odors inside the cabin.
• Service intervals: Hyundai typically recommends engine air filter checks every service interval and replacement roughly every 15,000–30,000 miles (24,000–48,000 km) depending on conditions, while cabin filters are often replaced about once a year or every 12,000–15,000 miles under normal use.

By distinguishing between these two filters and their locations, owners can better understand maintenance recommendations and communicate clearly with service technicians or parts suppliers.

Maintenance Tips and When to Check the Filters

Keeping track of where the air filters are located enables efficient inspections during regular maintenance on a 2021 Hyundai Elantra. While driving conditions vary, some general guidelines can help determine when to examine or replace each filter.

The points below summarize practical maintenance tips specific to the 2021 Elantra’s air filter locations.

• Include filter checks at oil changes: Each time the hood is opened for an oil change, visually inspect the engine air filter in its driver’s side housing for dirt and debris.
• Consider local conditions: If you drive in dusty or sandy environments, inspect the engine air filter more frequently, as its front-of-bay location draws in more airborne particles.
• Monitor cabin airflow: If the dash vents feel weak even at higher fan speeds, inspect the cabin air filter behind the glove box for clogging.
• Watch for odors: Persistent musty or dusty smells from the HVAC system can indicate a dirty cabin filter in the glove box area.
• Use OEM or equivalent quality parts: When replacing the filter in the engine bay or behind the glove box, choose filters that meet Hyundai’s specifications for fit, filtration and airflow.
• Record replacements: Note mileage and date each time either filter is replaced, to better predict future maintenance based on usage.

Applying these tips leverages your knowledge of the filter locations to keep both the engine and passenger compartment operating cleanly and efficiently over the life of the vehicle.

Summary

On a 2021 Hyundai Elantra, the engine air filter is located in the black plastic air cleaner housing at the front of the engine bay on the driver’s side, while the cabin air filter is housed behind the glove box inside the passenger compartment. Access to both is relatively simple: the engine filter lifts out after releasing clips or screws on the housing cover, and the cabin filter slides out once the glove box is lowered and the HVAC access panel is removed. Understanding these locations allows owners to inspect and replace both filters themselves, improving performance, air quality, and long-term reliability.