Where to Find the Cabin Air Filter in an Audi Q5

In most Audi Q5 models, the cabin air filter is located behind the glovebox on the passenger side; on some earlier European models and diesel variants, there may also be an additional filter section or access point under the hood (cowl area) near the base of the windshield. Knowing the exact location depends slightly on your model year, but for the vast majority of Q5s, you’ll access it from inside the cabin.

Why the Cabin Filter Location Matters

The cabin air filter is responsible for cleaning the air that enters the interior through the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system. It traps dust, pollen, soot and other pollutants. In the Audi Q5, this filter is typically tucked away behind interior trim to protect it from damage and reduce noise, which is why owners often need guidance to locate and replace it.

Cabin Filter Location by Audi Q5 Generation

The Audi Q5 has gone through several generations and facelifts, and while the basic location stays similar, there are subtle differences in access and layout. Below is an overview by generation and model year.

First-Generation Audi Q5 (2009–2017, Typ 8R)

For most first-generation Q5 models sold in North America and many other markets, the cabin air filter sits behind the glovebox. Access is from the passenger side, inside the cabin.

The main characteristics of the first-generation Q5 cabin filter location typically include the following points:

• The filter is mounted vertically behind a rectangular plastic access panel.
• Access is gained after dropping or removing the glovebox or the lower trim panel beneath it.
• There is usually only one primary cabin filter element, although premium “activated carbon” versions may be installed.
• Some diesel or specific European-market variants may have an additional filter section accessible from the cowl area under the hood.

Together, these characteristics mean that for most 2009–2017 Q5 owners, you should plan to work in the passenger footwell, focusing on the glovebox area, while being aware that rare variants may involve a quick check under the hood near the base of the windshield.

Second-Generation Audi Q5 (2018–Present, Typ FY)

The second-generation Q5 continues the same basic philosophy: the primary cabin filter is behind the glovebox on the passenger side. However, trim clips and panel designs have been updated, and in some markets the system is marketed as part of “Air Quality” or “3-zone climate control” packages with enhanced filter media.

Owners of 2018 and newer Q5 and SQ5 models can generally expect these location details to apply:

• The main cabin filter sits behind or just above the glovebox, accessible from the passenger side footwell.
• An access door or frame, typically held by small clips, covers the filter housing.
• Some models incorporate an additional fine-dust or activated-carbon layer in the same cartridge, but not a completely separate housing.
• A few plug-in hybrid (TFSI e) configurations retain this same access point but may have slightly more tightly packed wiring and components behind the trim.

In practice, this means that if you drive a 2018 or newer Q5, you will almost certainly find the cabin filter behind the glovebox, with only minor differences in panel shapes and clip styles between trims and model years.

Typical Access Point: Behind the Glovebox

Across both generations, the “standard” cabin filter location for the Audi Q5 is behind the glovebox. While exact steps can vary slightly, the general layout is consistent: you work from the passenger footwell, lowering trim and then opening the filter housing.

General Layout Behind the Glovebox

When you look under the glovebox in the passenger footwell of a Q5, you’ll typically see a felt or plastic underpanel, sometimes with a small courtesy light or air ducting attached. Behind these panels sits the HVAC housing that contains the cabin filter.

Most Q5 models share the following general layout features around the filter housing:

• The cabin filter housing is part of the climate control (HVAC) unit centered behind the dashboard.
• The access panel for the filter is usually on the side or bottom of this housing facing the glovebox area.
• The panel is normally secured by molded plastic tabs or clips that you press or slide to open.
• The filter slides in and out in a straight channel; note the direction-of-airflow arrows printed on the filter frame.

Knowing this internal layout helps owners understand why the filter is not visible at first glance and why a small amount of trim removal is unavoidable to reach it safely.

Step-by-Step: Locating the Cabin Filter in an Audi Q5

While this is not a full DIY replacement tutorial, the following steps outline how you physically locate the filter, which is often all that’s needed if you just want to verify its position or inspect it.

1. Prepare the Vehicle

You’ll be working on the passenger side, so clearing that area is the first step toward finding the cabin filter housing.

Preparations usually involve a few simple actions:

• Park on a level surface, set the parking brake and switch off the ignition.
• Open the front passenger door fully to provide room to work in the footwell.
• Slide the passenger seat back to its rearmost position for better access.
• Remove floor mats or objects that might obstruct access under the glovebox.

These basic preparations make it easier to see the under-dash area clearly and avoid straining or damaging trim while you locate the filter housing.

2. Identify and Remove the Lower Glovebox Panel

On most Q5s, the underside of the glovebox is covered by a trim panel that conceals wiring, ducts and the cabin filter access.

To find the panel and safely remove it, you will generally need to observe the following:

• Look up from the passenger footwell toward the underside of the glovebox for a flat felt or plastic cover.
• Locate any visible screws (often Torx) or plastic push-clips that secure the panel.
• Gently remove screws or release clips, supporting the panel as it loosens.
• Disconnect any small courtesy light or sensor connectors, if present, before fully removing the panel.

Once this underpanel is removed, you’ll have a clear view of the HVAC housing and nearby wiring, making it much easier to spot the cabin filter access door.

3. Locate the Cabin Filter Access Door

With the underpanel off, the cabin filter housing is typically visible as a rectangular section on the side or underside of the HVAC box, close to the glovebox edge.

To identify it correctly, look for these visual clues:

• A rectangular or trapezoidal plastic panel roughly the size of a paperback book.
• Plastic tabs or sliding clips along one edge that can be pressed or pried gently by hand.
• Small arrows or icons indicating airflow or filter direction on or near the cover.
• Occasionally, a partial view of the filter’s pleated paper once the cover is slid slightly aside.

Once you’ve identified this panel, you have effectively found the cabin filter location; removing the panel will expose the filter element itself.

4. Confirm the Filter Orientation

Before removing or replacing the filter, it’s useful to note how it’s oriented in the housing. This information is important even if you are only inspecting it now and plan to replace it later.

Typical orientation details in Q5 models include the following:

• The filter typically installs with airflow arrows pointing toward the interior (often downward or toward the rear of the vehicle).
• The pleats run vertically or horizontally depending on the specific year and housing design.
• The filter may be slightly flexible to allow it to bend during removal and insertion.
• Some versions have a small pull tab or fabric strip attached to aid in sliding them out.

Recognizing the orientation and design characteristics ensures that when the time comes to change the filter, you will be able to reinstall a new one correctly and avoid rattles or reduced airflow.

Exceptions: When to Look Under the Hood

Most Audi Q5 owners will never need to access a cabin filter from the engine bay, but certain early or regional models, especially diesels and some European-market cars, can have additional filtration elements at the cowl.

Checking the Cowl Area (Specific Early or Regional Models)

If your owner’s manual or a parts catalog suggests a cowl-mounted filter, you will be looking near the base of the windshield, beneath plastic covers that span the width of the car.

In those less common cases, the general location can be identified by these factors:

• Remove or lift the plastic cowl trim panel at the base of the windshield, typically after removing several plastic clips.
• Look for an elongated rectangular housing running side-to-side near the wiper arms.
• Some models use a pollen filter or pre-filter cartridge in this cowl box.
• Any such filter supplements, rather than replaces, the main interior cabin filter behind the glovebox.

If you find a filter in the cowl area, it is usually one stage of a multi-layer filtration system; nonetheless, the primary and most service-relevant cabin filter remains accessible from inside the cabin on the passenger side.

How to Confirm the Exact Location for Your Specific Q5

Because trim layouts and HVAC configurations can vary slightly by year, engine and market, it’s wise to cross-check the information for your particular VIN or model year.

Using Official and Aftermarket Information Sources

Several resources can confirm the precise filter location and part type your Audi Q5 uses.

Owners can use the following sources to verify cabin filter location and compatibility:

• Owner’s manual: Look under “Air conditioning,” “Air filter,” or “Maintenance” sections for a diagram.
• Audi dealer or service department: Provide your VIN and ask for the cabin filter location and part number.
• Online OEM parts catalogs: Enter your model year and engine to view exploded diagrams of the HVAC system.
• Reputable filter manufacturers’ sites: Many list step-by-step location notes for the exact Q5 variant.

Using these references gives you a model-specific confirmation, preventing confusion from online guides that may refer to different Q5 years or regional variants.

Why Owners Should Know the Cabin Filter Location

Understanding where your Q5’s cabin filter sits is more than a curiosity; it directly affects comfort, health and service costs.

Benefits of Knowing the Filter’s Position

Locating the filter yourself gives you the option to inspect or replace it without a workshop visit, which can produce tangible advantages.

Key benefits that stem from knowing the cabin filter’s location include:

• Cleaner interior air: Regular replacement helps reduce dust, pollen and odors in the cabin.
• Improved HVAC performance: A clean filter allows better airflow and more consistent heating and cooling.
• Cost savings: Doing the replacement yourself typically costs only the price of the filter.
• Preventing blower strain: Avoiding a heavily clogged filter reduces load on the blower motor over time.

By being able to locate the filter and check its condition, owners can decide when service is genuinely necessary rather than relying solely on fixed-interval reminders.

Summary

In nearly all Audi Q5 models, the cabin air filter is located behind the glovebox on the passenger side, accessed from the footwell by removing or lowering the under-dash panel and opening a small access door in the HVAC housing. A minority of early or regional variants may include an additional filter element in the cowl area under the hood, near the base of the windshield. For model-year-specific confirmation, consulting the owner’s manual, an Audi dealer, or a reputable parts catalog is recommended. Knowing this location allows owners to inspect and replace the filter themselves, helping to maintain clean cabin air and efficient climate control at a relatively low cost.