Where to Find the Cabin Air Filter on a 2015 Audi Q5

The cabin air filter on a 2015 Audi Q5 is located behind the glove box on the passenger side, accessed from inside the vehicle by dropping the glove compartment and removing a small access panel. This placement is typical for many modern Audi models and allows relatively straightforward replacement with basic tools.

Understanding the Cabin Filter’s Location in the 2015 Audi Q5

On the 2015 Audi Q5, the cabin air filter sits in the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) housing directly behind the glove box. Air entering the cabin from the outside is routed through this filter to remove dust, pollen, and other particulates before it reaches the interior vents. Knowing exactly where it is and how to access it helps owners maintain air quality and keep the ventilation system working efficiently.

Exact Location: Passenger-Side, Behind the Glove Box

The filter is not in the engine bay; instead, it is inside the passenger compartment. If you sit in the front passenger seat and look toward the glove box, the cabin filter is mounted vertically in a slot behind and slightly above the area where your feet rest. To reach it, the glove box has to be lowered or partially removed, revealing a narrow rectangular access cover on the HVAC housing.

Key Reference Points Inside the Cabin

The following points help you visually and physically locate the cabin filter area before you begin any disassembly.

• Passenger glove box: The primary access route is through or behind the glove box on the right-hand side (for left-hand-drive models commonly sold in North America and Europe).
• Under-dash area: Once the glove box is lowered, the filter housing is visible on the back side of the dashboard structure, slightly toward the center of the car.
• Rectangular filter cover: A slim, rectangular plastic access door (typically with clips or small tabs) holds the cabin filter in place within the HVAC housing.
• Vertical orientation: The cabin filter on the Q5 is usually installed vertically, with an arrow marking airflow direction that must match the markings on the housing.

Combined, these reference points make it easier to recognize the correct panel and avoid removing unrelated trim pieces when hunting for the cabin filter.

Step-by-Step Access: Reaching the Cabin Filter

While the core question is the location, it is useful to understand the basic access steps, since the design of the 2015 Audi Q5 means you must move parts of the glove box to get to the filter. The process is designed to be manageable for DIY owners comfortable with minor interior work.

1. Preparing the Passenger Area

Before getting your hands on the filter housing, you need to clear space and position yourself correctly.

1. Move the passenger seat back: Slide the front passenger seat as far back as it goes to give your knees and hands room to work.
2. Empty the glove box: Remove manuals, documents, and any loose items to prevent them from falling or getting damaged.
3. Switch off the ignition: Turn off the vehicle and, ideally, remove the key or turn off the start button system so the HVAC fan is not running.
4. Optional: Disconnect interior light if needed: Some DIYers choose to disconnect the glove box light connector when they lower the box to avoid strain on the wiring.

Completing these steps ensures a clear, safe workspace and reduces the risk of damaging trim or wiring as you access the filter area.

2. Lowering or Releasing the Glove Box

To access the cabin filter, you must move the glove box out of the way. On the 2015 Audi Q5, this typically involves opening the glove box fully and then dealing with its limiting arms and, in some cases, a few screws or clips.

1. Open the glove box door fully: Pull the handle and let the glove box door swing down.
2. Identify the side damper/retainer arm: On one side of the glove box (usually right side on LHD models), a small arm or damper controls how the door falls when opened.
3. Detach the damper arm: Carefully unclip or slide the arm free from the glove box door—do not yank it to avoid breaking the plastic.
4. Release side stops: Gently flex the sides of the glove box inward to free the internal stops so the door can drop lower than normal.
5. Optional screw removal: Some Q5 trims may require removing a few Torx or Phillips screws along the top or bottom edge if you want to remove the entire glove box assembly, though in many cases simply dropping it down is enough to reach the filter.

Once the glove box is lowered or removed, you gain a clear view of the HVAC housing, which contains the cabin filter behind a rectangular cover.

3. Finding and Opening the Cabin Filter Cover

With the glove box out of your way, the filter housing becomes much easier to spot on the front of the HVAC unit, slightly toward the centerline of the car.

1. Locate the rectangular panel: Look for a vertical, narrow, rectangular plastic cover on the exposed HVAC box behind the glove box opening.
2. Check for markings or arrows: Many Audi covers have arrows or symbols indicating airflow or showing that it is a filter compartment.
3. Release the clips or tabs: Gently press, squeeze, or slide the retaining tabs or small latches on the cover; they are typically on the side or top edge.
4. Remove the cover: Pull the cover straight off, taking care not to crack it; set it aside where it will not be stepped on.

At this stage, the edge of the cabin air filter will be visible, confirming you have reached the correct location behind the glove box.

4. Removing and Refitting the Cabin Filter

Although the question focuses on location, understanding removal and refit helps avoid damage to the new filter and ensures it sits correctly in its housing once you’ve found it.

1. Slide out the old filter: Grasp the visible edge of the filter and pull it straight out; you may need to angle it slightly if space is tight.
2. Note airflow direction: Pay close attention to the arrow on the old filter (often marked “AIRFLOW”) and how it was oriented—typically pointing downward in many Audi HVAC setups.
3. Clean the housing area: Before inserting a new filter, gently wipe or vacuum any loose debris, leaves, or dust around the opening.
4. Insert the new filter: Slide the replacement filter into the slot with the airflow arrow matching the direction marked on the HVAC housing (usually airflow from top to bottom).
5. Reinstall the access cover: Snap the rectangular panel back into place by engaging its tabs, ensuring it sits flush and secure.

Completing these steps ensures the filter is correctly seated in the housing behind the glove box, maintaining the designed airflow path and tight seal.

Why Audi Places the Cabin Filter Behind the Glove Box

The behind-the-glove-box location in the 2015 Audi Q5 is a deliberate engineering choice balancing protection, accessibility, and cabin design. This positioning places the filter in the path of outside air entering the HVAC system, but shields it from engine heat and underhood contaminants like oil mist and fuel vapors.

Design and Service Considerations

The following reasons explain why this location is common in vehicles like the Q5.

• Direct integration with HVAC intake: Mounting the filter in the HVAC housing ensures all incoming air is filtered before reaching interior vents.
• Protection from engine bay heat: Keeping the filter inside the cabin area reduces exposure to under-hood temperatures and fluids.
• Ease of interior access: Technicians and owners can service the filter without opening the hood, using basic interior disassembly instead.
• Noise and sealing advantages: Integrating the filter within the HVAC box helps maintain acoustic isolation and consistent airflow routing.

These factors make the behind-glove-box location a logical compromise between practicality and performance in mid-size luxury SUVs such as the 2015 Q5.

Differences Across Markets and Left-/Right-Hand Drive Versions

While the overall placement remains consistent, there are slight variations depending on market and steering configuration. For most left-hand-drive 2015 Audi Q5 models, the cabin air filter is behind the glove box on the right side of the dashboard. On right-hand-drive versions (such as those sold in the UK, Australia, or some Asian markets), the glove box and therefore the filter access point move to the opposite side, but the behind-the-glove-box concept remains the same.

What to Expect on Right-Hand-Drive Models

For owners outside left-hand-drive markets, the basic principle does not change, but the side of the vehicle does.

• Mirror-image layout: The cabin filter is still behind the glove box, but the glove box itself is now in front of the left-side passenger seat.
• Similar HVAC housing design: The HVAC unit remains centrally located, with a vertical filter slot accessible once the glove box is lowered.
• Comparable removal steps: You will still open and possibly drop the glove box, detach any damper arm, and remove a rectangular cover to access the filter.

Though left- and right-hand-drive Q5s are mirrored, the essential fact remains: in all standard 2015 Q5 configurations, you reach the cabin filter from behind the glove box on the passenger side.

How Often to Access and Replace the Cabin Filter

Knowing where the filter is matters most when it is time to change it. Audi’s maintenance recommendations and real-world driving conditions both affect how often you will be behind the glove box swapping it out.

Typical Service Intervals and Signs of Wear

Service schedules and symptoms of a clogged filter guide how frequently owners should access this component.

• Recommended interval: Audi and many service providers generally suggest replacing the cabin filter about every 15,000 to 20,000 miles (around 24,000 to 32,000 km), or once a year, whichever comes first.
• Dusty or urban environments: In areas with heavy pollution, dust, or frequent stop-and-go traffic, replacement may be needed more often.
• Reduced airflow: If air from the vents feels weak even at higher blower settings, a clogged cabin filter behind the glove box is a common culprit.
• Odors from vents: Musty or stale smells when the HVAC system runs often indicate an old, dirty cabin filter.

These cues help owners decide when it is time to access that behind-the-glove-box housing again and ensure the filter location is not overlooked during routine maintenance.

Summary

On the 2015 Audi Q5, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box on the passenger side, inside the vehicle, within the HVAC housing. To reach it, you open and usually lower the glove box, then remove a narrow rectangular access cover on the HVAC unit to expose the vertically mounted filter. This behind-the-glove-box location applies broadly across both left- and right-hand-drive versions of the 2015 Q5, differing only in which side of the dash the glove box occupies. Understanding this placement helps owners perform routine maintenance, improve interior air quality, and resolve common HVAC airflow issues efficiently.