[mattdoc]

Here's how I replaced the cabin air filter. It took me 60-70 minutes; this was the first time I did it. This was definitely designed for a right-hand drive vehicle! I removed my floormat, slid my driver's seat back all the way, and tilted my steering wheel up to give me all the room possible.<p>1. Go out and buy 3 M6-1.0 nuts to replace the gas pedal lock nuts with. <p>2. Torx 25 3-places, remove cover below steering column. Requires first popping off panel to its left (the one with the rubber air vent that touches the door) and the panel behind the radio screen (panel is about 12x8") first. <br>Disconnect the floor light wire and the other one up between the steering wheel and radio if you have it. I think that's for the interior temperature sensor, so you might not have it.<p><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/01sensorconnector.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>3. Remove the 3 bolts that hold the gas pedal to the firewall. One is at its bottom left, the other two are up top. I got at them with a 10mm deep socket 1/4" drive, u-joint, and 10-12" extension to a ratchet. You'll want the extension long enough to get your ratchet past the pedals. The lock nuts are the hardest part of this whole job. That's why you bought 3 non-lock nuts to replace them with, right?<p>4. Some say disconnect the gas pedal wires and remove the pedal. I didn't want to break the clips so I just zip-tied it to my clutch pedal to get it out of my way. It was still in my way a little bit, but it was manageable. If you know how to undo the clip, go for it, it will help a little.<p><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/02pedalziptied.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>5. Roll the carpet down a bit by the filter. Using a 7mm socket, remove the filter cover. Pull the filter out and watch leaves fall everywhere. Brush the edge of the filter compartment out with your fingers in case there's a little bit of gunk left. <p><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/03filtercoverbolts.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>Old filter coming out:<br><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/04oldfiltercomingout.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>My carpet was clean when I started; this all came out of the filter/housing:<br><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/05junkonfloor.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>6. Put your new filter in. It requires some cajoling of the filter. Squish and bend it a bit; the corrugated design allows it. Once in, replace cover plate. From Tom: "The direction of the air flow is indicated on the top of the filter. Ensure that the filter is installed with the text side facing up and so that the arrows on the filter point straight back into the vehicle."<p><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/06newfiltergoingin.jpg" BORDER="0"><p>7. Reattach gas pedal with new non-lock nuts. Reassemble panel covers. <p>Some of the tools I used:<p><IMG SRC="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc5/mattdocs40/07toolsused.jpg" BORDER="0"><p><BR><BR>
<i>Modified by mattdoc at 6:10 PM 4-12-2009</i>

 

[AlaskanAWD]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup (mattdoc)

Excellent writeup and pictures, thanks! We have heard nothing but complaints about how hard it is to change this filter, but nobody took the time to take pictures and provide step by step instructions for over 4 years.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup (mattdoc)

Stickied! Thanks.

 

[mattdoc]

Can someone confirm the air flow direction is supposed to be from front to rear? The one I took out was like that, so I followed its lead.

 

[vivek9856]

Re: (mattdoc)

I thought the cabin air filter was on the right side of all Volvo's. Hmm.

 

[-ForceFed-]

Re: (vivek9856)

Volvo pulled a smartypants and made the S40's cabin filter accessible for a RHD car, and for some reason didnt bother to correct it in the 05+ model years lol. The air flow direction should face forward if i remember correctly.

 

[Volvo S 40]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup (mattdoc)

Thanks for the procedure. Why do they have to make it so dam hard to replace the cabin filter.

 

[tmtalpey]

Re: (mattdoc)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>mattdoc</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can someone confirm the air flow direction is supposed to be from front to rear? The one I took out was like that, so I followed its lead.</TD></TR></TABLE><br>Correct, air flow is toward the rear.<p>From the book:<p><b>Installation<p>Installing the passenger compartment air cleaner (ACL)<br>Note! The direction of the air flow is indicated on the top of the filter. Ensure that the filter is installed with the text side facing up and so that the arrows on the filter point straight back into the vehicle.<br>Install the air filter by compressing it slightly and inserting it behind the brake pedal.<br>Clamp the cover in place at the rear edge. Screw the cover into place at the front edge using the 3 screws.<br>Fold back the carpet.<br>Install the accelerator pedal (AP). <br></b><p>Tom.

 

[mattdoc]

I don't know if I put the text up or not. Looking at the one I removed, there does not appear to be much of a difference if it were flipped. I highly doubt an upside-down filter would harm anything, but am I wrong?

 

[-ForceFed-]

Re: (mattdoc)

Im sure it would probably filter the same but may not allow as much cfm's as the filter design was attended to allow.

 

[Ride S40T]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup (mattdoc)

Freakin' awesome mattdoc! Thanks for saving the rest of us much time and frustration. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://********************/smile/emthup.gif" BORDER="0"> <p>

 

[Jonz]

I've still got no idea where this filter is really. I'm on a Right Hand Drive version of this car.<p>Is the filter placed in the same position in the Right Hand Drive S40?

 

[-ForceFed-]

Re: (Jonz)

Perfect! Ive always wanted to ask how it is for a RHD car. It should be in YOUR passenger side as they did not change the filter placement. Pull your passenger side panels and it should be very easy to access.<p>Ive been told the system was designed for a RHD car as its easily removable however choose not to correct the placement for LHD cars due to cost.

 

[Jonz]

Is there anything i need to remove? The passenger side panels - do I just pull it out? Any tools involved?<br>I'll have a go at it soon once i'm sure of how to remove the side panels.<p>I did try to locate the filter once before but I have no idea where it was and I found some sort of fuse box instead which was placed somewhere under the glove box area.

 

[-ForceFed-]

Re: (Jonz)

That would be the CEM, the tools that you would require would be a T25 torx for any screws you come across otherwise should be fairly easy to remove the panel and look up underneath the center of the dash where the filter sits.

 

[Veefifty T5AWD]

Yeah, I had to laugh...I wet to the dealer to grab a filter to do this today...got to the cashier, $27! 27 freakin' bucks for a regular filter, not even the charcoal one! I took it back to parts and told them I could get one from ipd for $10.

 

[V50_T5]

Re: (Veefifty T5AWD)

thanks for the write up, and I'll have to look into the $10 IPD one, I for one love to save money, but with Asthma, I need to replace this cabin filter soon <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://www.vwvortex.com/vwbb/wink.gif" BORDER="0">

 

[Ride S40T]

Re: (V50_T5)

$10 at O'Reilly too. <p>I am now a world class gymnast. Had to be to put this thing in. Took right at an hour. Would have been less but took a little time to find the right combo of extensions, etc.<p>No arrows for airflow direction on filter (MicroGuard). One side was darker than the other. Would think the white side (looked to be a cotton mesh) would be toward the front to catch the air/dust first? Put the darker charcoal on the back closest to the cabin. <p>Used the same lock nuts on the accelerator pedal. By far the most difficult part. Didn't have the third 7mm screw in the top of the filter door...didn't look like there ever was one...no markings of previous removal. Who knows if they ever replaced this thing during the free service period. Sure looked undisturbed.<p>Would add one more tool - a thick towel to cover the seat rails, they chewed my ribs up.<p><br><i>Modified by Ride S40T at 3:20 PM 4-14-2009</i><BR><BR>
<i>Modified by Ride S40T at 4:53 PM 4-14-2009</i>

 

[unclejosh]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup some additional pictures and info

I have two photos to add. <p>As a new member perhaps I do not have upload privileges....<p>One interesting thing - my wifes 2008 did not have the three 7 mm screws holding the cabin filter door closed. <p>Instead there was only one screw that had a white plastic head on it shaped like a wing-nut. This was easy to unscrew by hand.<p>Regards,<p>Josh

 

[chromecarz00]

Re: Cabin air filter writeup some additional pictures and info (unclejosh)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD><i>Quote, originally posted by <b>unclejosh</b> »</i></TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have two photos to add. <p>As a new member perhaps I do not have upload privileges....<p>One interesting thing - my wifes 2008 did not have the three 7 mm screws holding the cabin filter door closed. <p>Instead there was only one screw that had a white plastic head on it shaped like a wing-nut. This was easy to unscrew by hand.<p>Regards,<p>Josh</TD></TR></TABLE><p>You have to upload it to a photo sharing source, such as photobucket then use the image codes.<br>Welcome!