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Pollen Filter Location
- Thread starter MAR4973
- Start date
If it’s like the RHD Leon, you’ll need to totally remove the glovebox (not just flip down the front). It’s a PITA.
Yes the videos above clearly show there’s a flap to fit the filter but when I’ve dropped down the glove box it’s a blank box and nothing is there.
must be an update on the newer models
what a total pain
must be an update on the newer models
what a total pain
This is my 2nd attempt at servicing the pollen / cabin air filter on a UK Cupra Formentor.
Never have I had such trouble in all my cars, it gets worse every generation. I even purchased a quality stubby Torx 20 so I could get in without any witness marks but I'm stuck with the trim now.
Step 1. Remove engine
It may be possible to extract the air filter while bending the glovebox out of the way. But there is barely enough space to squeeze 1 hand in there - the filter would need to be bent through the tight space - which is why I would prefer to get the glovebox out of the way.
However from looking at salvage parts I believe there is another clip holding the glovebox on which is underneath the side trim (behind the airbag deactivation switch).
The side trim sits underneath the door seal, which means prizing the rubber seal off partially, then prizing off the side trim, somehow without breaking anything.
I deemed risk of damage too high, so I aborted. I don't have good trim tools to proceed safely.
Posting here anyway as I have no plans to progress. But so far, the uprated filter I want to fit and tools I purchased are a waste of money. The filter in there should be 3 years old at this point. It's a shame what modern cars have become.
Never have I had such trouble in all my cars, it gets worse every generation. I even purchased a quality stubby Torx 20 so I could get in without any witness marks but I'm stuck with the trim now.
Step 1. Remove engine
It may be possible to extract the air filter while bending the glovebox out of the way. But there is barely enough space to squeeze 1 hand in there - the filter would need to be bent through the tight space - which is why I would prefer to get the glovebox out of the way.
However from looking at salvage parts I believe there is another clip holding the glovebox on which is underneath the side trim (behind the airbag deactivation switch).
The side trim sits underneath the door seal, which means prizing the rubber seal off partially, then prizing off the side trim, somehow without breaking anything.
I deemed risk of damage too high, so I aborted. I don't have good trim tools to proceed safely.
Posting here anyway as I have no plans to progress. But so far, the uprated filter I want to fit and tools I purchased are a waste of money. The filter in there should be 3 years old at this point. It's a shame what modern cars have become.
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Good effort so far, looks like a small child could get an arm in there no problem, recruit a local 10 year old - that must be what the main dealers do!!
I bet its not included in my service plan, if not I'm going to request it changed at extra cost. On my Skoda I ran out of time on the 2 year service and meant to do the cabin filter later. About a year later I noticed the air con was a bit puny and remembered, and a new filter made a hell of a difference. the air must have struggled to get through the old clogged one. So obvious really, but if anyone thinks the air con is weak and ineffective got to be worth a punt on anew cabin filter before anything else.
I bet its not included in my service plan, if not I'm going to request it changed at extra cost. On my Skoda I ran out of time on the 2 year service and meant to do the cabin filter later. About a year later I noticed the air con was a bit puny and remembered, and a new filter made a hell of a difference. the air must have struggled to get through the old clogged one. So obvious really, but if anyone thinks the air con is weak and ineffective got to be worth a punt on anew cabin filter before anything else.
This is my 2nd attempt at servicing the pollen / cabin air filter on a UK Cupra Formentor.
Never have I had such trouble in all my cars, it gets worse every generation. I even purchased a quality stubby Torx 20 so I could get in without any witness marks but I'm stuck with the trim now.
Step 1. Remove engine
View attachment 42518
It may be possible to extract the air filter while bending the glovebox out of the way. But there is barely enough space to squeeze 1 hand in there - the filter would need to be bent through the tight space - which is why I would prefer to get the glovebox out of the way.
However from looking at salvage parts I believe there is another clip holding the glovebox on which is underneath the side trim (behind the airbag deactivation switch).
The side trim sits underneath the door seal, which means prizing the rubber seal off partially, then prizing off the side trim, somehow without breaking anything.
I deemed risk of damage too high, so I aborted. I don't have good trim tools to proceed safely.
Posting here anyway as I have no plans to progress. But so far, the uprated filter I want to fit and tools I purchased are a waste of money. The filter in there should be 3 years old at this point. It's a shame what modern cars have become.
Good post/photos!
I checked my Cupra 310 V2 (2023) to see what access there is to the cabin filter and see if it’s the same as yours -it is! What a ridiculous place to put a filter! I had a BMW before this Cupra and it was very straightforward to change under the bonnet.
There must be an easy way to remove that side panel and release the left hand side of the glovebox but it’s not obvious. You mentioned a clip near the air bag, so it’s going to be case of working out how it releases from this clip without causing any damage. I will have another go at some point as I have all the tools to hand.
If I figure it out, I will post back with some photos as it may help others who have this newer style of filter housing.
Yes please, my second (and last) service under the service plan coming up next week, after that it's over to me. MOT due later this year, how time flies.
I have used 3 different Cupra dealers now and none have impressed me so far in fact they are up there with the worst manufacturers dealers I have used out of many other cars I have owned!
The last time I had a pollen filter changed whilst the car was being serviced was by a Mazda dealer in my RX-8 the filter was also behind the glove box afterwards I checked it was full of flies an leaves they had charged me but not changed it the same as the back axle Oil change they had charged me but obviously not changed it!
I wouldn`t trust any car dealer for servicing as far as I could throw them!
Now the norm is you get a video from underneath showing you have 4 wheels, and an exhaust and no oil leaks and the service is complete!
The last time I had a pollen filter changed whilst the car was being serviced was by a Mazda dealer in my RX-8 the filter was also behind the glove box afterwards I checked it was full of flies an leaves they had charged me but not changed it the same as the back axle Oil change they had charged me but obviously not changed it!
I wouldn`t trust any car dealer for servicing as far as I could throw them!
Now the norm is you get a video from underneath showing you have 4 wheels, and an exhaust and no oil leaks and the service is complete!
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You'll find good and bad staff in dealers and indys alike. It's a poorly paid job with very little appreciation, that very few people want to do these days.
I completely agree and my experience of Mazda dealers/techs has been quite similar
The side panel can be removed easily with a plastic trim tool, if you pry gently from the part nearest the glove box door it comes out easily. I found the airbag cable did not need to be unplugged and it didn't get in the way too much. It was also easy to put back in by pushing the trim piece behind the door rubber first. The instructions here were perfect - https://www.seatcupra.net/forums/threads/pollen-filter.465807/
I have a 2021 model and the filter was desperately in need of changing after taking it out.
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