Replace the Cabin Filter

The cabin (pollen) filter on the Hyundai i20 Mk2 (GB, 2014–2020) sits behind the glovebox and cleans the air drawn in through the heater and air conditioning. Changing it restores airflow, clears musty smells and needs no tools. Hyundai lists it as a routine service item — replace it at roughly each annual service or about every 15,000 km (10,000 miles), and sooner if you drive in dusty conditions.

How to replace the cabin filter on a Hyundai i20

1. Open the glovebox fully.
2. With the glovebox open, press in on both sides so the stopper pins spring free of their mounts and the glovebox can swing right down.
3. Behind it you now see the heater’s filter cover. Press the clip to release the cover and lift it off.
4. Slide the old filter element out, noting the airflow arrow printed on its frame.
5. Fit the new filter the same way round — airflow arrow pointing the same direction as before (normally downward, into the blower).
6. Refit the cover, swing the glovebox back up and clip both sides back onto their mounts.

Getting the filter the right way up matters. Hyundai warns that a filter fitted upside down makes the blower noisy and filters the air far less effectively.

How often should the i20 cabin filter be changed?

About once a year or every 15,000 km (10,000 miles) under normal use. Change it more often if airflow from the vents drops, you notice a stale smell, or you regularly drive on dusty or unsurfaced roads.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the cabin filter on a Hyundai i20?
Behind the glovebox. Drop the glovebox down and the filter cover is directly behind it.

Which way does the i20 cabin filter go in?
With the airflow arrow pointing the same direction as the filter you removed — normally downward. Fitting it reversed makes the fan noisy and cuts filtration.

Do I need tools to change it?
No — the glovebox and the filter cover both release by hand.

For more jobs you can do yourself, see our car maintenance guides.