Where to Find the Cabin Air Filter on a 2017 Audi A4

The cabin air filter on a 2017 Audi A4 is located behind the glove box on the passenger side, accessed from the front of the dash rather than under the hood. In most trims and markets, you must lower or remove the glove box, then open a slim rectangular access cover on the HVAC housing to reach the filter.

Understanding the Cabin Air Filter Location

On the B9-generation 2017 Audi A4 (both sedan and Allroad variants), Audi places the primary cabin air filter inside the passenger-side dashboard area. This design keeps the filter protected and makes it accessible from inside the car, rather than in the engine bay cowl area used on some older models and other brands. Knowing exactly where to look saves time and reduces the risk of damaging trim pieces.

Exact Placement in the 2017 Audi A4

For the 2017 A4, the main cabin (pollen) filter is mounted vertically in the HVAC (heater/AC) housing behind the glove box. Access is usually via a narrow, rectangular plastic cover that slides or clips off. While some owners can reach it by partially lowering the glove box, others may need to fully remove the glove box for better access.

Step-by-Step Overview of the Filter’s Location

The following list outlines where the filter sits in relation to the passenger-side interior and the components you’ll see as you go looking for it.

1. Passenger side of the dashboard: Open the front passenger door and sit facing the glove box – all access is from this side.
2. Behind the glove box compartment: The filter is not in the glove box itself, but directly behind it, integrated into the HVAC unit.
3. Lower dash trim area: On many 2017 A4s, you remove or drop the glove box by undoing screws along the top and bottom edges and carefully releasing any side or soft-close dampers.
4. HVAC housing: Once the glove box is lowered/moved, you’ll see the plastic HVAC housing; the cabin filter door is a slim, vertical rectangular panel.
5. Filter access cover: The panel usually has small clips or tabs. Release them and slide or pull off the cover to reveal the cabin filter element behind it.
6. Filter position: The filter sits upright, typically with airflow arrows pointing downward, matching the air path through the HVAC unit.

Taken together, these steps show that the filter is not hidden deep in the engine bay or under the carpet but is instead directly attached to the climate-control unit just behind the glove box area.

Variations by Market and Trim

While the core location is consistent—behind the glove box—there can be small differences depending on market (North America, Europe, etc.), left-hand vs. right-hand drive, and optional equipment. On left-hand-drive 2017 A4s, the filter sits behind the right-side (passenger) glove box; on right-hand-drive models (such as in the UK or Australia), the equivalent filter is usually behind the left-side glove box.

Common Configuration Details

The list below explains how the cabin filter layout on the 2017 A4 compares to other vehicles and what owners can expect when locating it.

• Interior access standard: Unlike older Audi platforms that sometimes used an engine-bay cowl location, the 2017 A4 almost universally uses interior access behind the glove box.
• Single main cabin filter: There is typically one primary cabin/pollen filter element, sometimes available in basic particulate or upgraded activated-charcoal versions, but in the same housing.
• Occasional additional filter media: Certain high-end climate packages may include secondary filters (or enhanced media) within the same housing, but they do not change the physical access point.
• Glove box removal may vary: Some owners report adequate access by merely dropping the glove box down on its hinges after removing a few screws; others prefer full removal for visibility.
• No under-hood cabin filter: Audi does not place a second, separate cabin filter in the engine bay for this model year—any engine-bay filters are for engine air, not the interior cabin.

These small configuration differences do not change the fundamental fact that the cabin filter is on the passenger side, inside the dash, behind the glove box assembly.

How to Confirm You’ve Found the Right Component

Because the 2017 A4’s dash contains multiple plastic covers and modules, it helps to know what the cabin filter door and housing look like and how they differ from other nearby components (such as control modules or fuses).

Visual and Practical Identifiers

The following points describe how to recognize the filter access panel and avoid confusing it with unrelated parts.

• Shape and size: The cabin filter access door is typically a tall, narrow rectangle running vertically along the side of the HVAC housing.
• Clips instead of screws: The filter cover is often clipped rather than screwed, with small tabs you squeeze or pry gently to release.
• Proximity to ducting: The cover sits on the main HVAC box feeding the dash vents, not on metal brackets or electronics modules.
• Filter visible behind cover: Once opened, you should immediately see the edge of a pleated filter element (usually white or gray).
• Airflow arrows on filter: The replacement filter itself will have printed airflow arrows, which must match the direction indicated in the housing or owner’s manual.

By relying on these cues, owners can confidently identify the correct access panel, avoiding accidental tampering with nearby electronics or structural fasteners.

Why the Location Matters for Maintenance

Knowing precisely where the cabin air filter sits on the 2017 Audi A4 makes routine maintenance faster and safer. Audi generally recommends inspecting or replacing the cabin filter roughly every 15,000 to 20,000 km (about 10,000 to 12,000 miles), or more frequently in heavy traffic, dusty regions, or if you notice reduced airflow or persistent odors.

Impact on Air Quality and HVAC Performance

The cabin filter’s placement right in the HVAC airflow path behind the glove box means it is the last major barrier between outside air and the cabin interior. Its condition directly affects what you breathe and how well the system works.

• Air quality: A clean filter helps remove dust, pollen, soot, and, if you use an activated-charcoal type, some odors and gaseous pollutants.
• Defrost efficiency: A clogged filter can reduce airflow to the windshield vents, making defogging and defrosting slower and less effective.
• Fan load and noise: When airflow is restricted, the blower motor must work harder, often producing more noise and potentially shortening its lifespan.
• Allergy comfort: For allergy sufferers, replacing the filter regularly can significantly reduce symptoms, especially during pollen season.
• Odor management: If the HVAC system starts to smell musty when first turned on, a worn or damp cabin filter behind the glove box is often the first component to check.

Because of this direct link between location and function, access behind the glove box is not just a design choice—it is a central point of routine vehicle health and comfort maintenance.

Summary

On a 2017 Audi A4, the cabin air filter is located inside the vehicle, behind the front passenger glove box, mounted vertically in the HVAC housing and accessed through a narrow rectangular cover. You reach it by dropping or removing the glove box, then opening the filter access panel to slide the filter in or out. This consistent internal location—rather than an engine-bay cowl—means owners can perform filter checks and replacements from the passenger seat with basic tools, helping maintain clean air, strong airflow, and reliable defogging performance.

Does an Audi A4 have a cabin filter?

Come right out. Here’s what they look like so it’s a little twist tab with a screw on the end so it makes it nice and easy to get out you don’t need any. Tools. Then down we go.

What is the most common problem with Audi A4?

Top Audi A4 Problems

• Decreased Power and Poor Fuel Economy.
• Clogged Plenum Tray Drain.
• High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure.
• Excessive Oil Consumption.
• Engine Misfire.
• Suspension Parts Wear Prematurely.
• Flasher Relay and Control Module Failure.
• Engine Failure.

What are three symptoms of a clogged cabin air filter?

Here are three signs that your cabin filter is clogged so that you’ll know too.

• There’s Little Flow. The cabin filter is, essentially, a component of the air conditioner structure in your car.
• Dust. Another sign is is that you’re seeing more than the usual amount of dust and debris inside your car.
• Less Vehicle Power.

Where is the air filter on an Audi A4?

I’m going to remove the two plastic coverings then I’ll be able to remove the. Filter. Notice that the dirty filter catches the dust and debris on the back.