When it’s time to change the cabin air filter in your 5th Generation Honda Odyssey (years 2018-2024), the Maintenance Minder will alert you with a maintenance sub code of 2. In my case, I had a B12 show up on my instrument cluster, which means that I’m due for an oil change (along with inspection of various parts), along an engine air filter and cabin air filter replacement. For more detailed information on what the various codes mean and how to reset the Maintenance Minder System when you’ve completed your service, check out this post here.
The cabin air filter (or as Honda refers to as the dust and pollen filter), is a part that can easily be replaced by yourself at home. No tools are needed, except for the replacement cabin air filter itself. You might need a few extra tools like a flexible pickup tool if you need to clean up the blower fan area behind the cabin filter.
Tools & Materials
Cabin Air Filter (a.k.a. Dust and Pollen Filter)
There are tons of options for cabin air filters, but mainly you’ll find the standard paper element style (like the OEM one that came with the car), or one that is charcoal activated and/or baking soda to help with reducing odors in the cabin. Here are some of the most popular aftermarket ones on Amazon costing around $10-$15:
ECOGARD XC36080 Premium Cabin Air Filter
EPAuto CP182 Premium Cabin Air Filter includes Activated Carbon
Spearhead Odor Defense Breathe Easy AC & Heater Cabin Filter (BE-182)
Flexible Pickup Tool
CRAFTSMAN Flexclaw Pickup Tool
How to Replace the Cabin Air Filter
First, open the glove compartment. On the right side of the opened glove compartment, you’ll see this hinge arm that you can detach by pulling it off of the glove compartment. You’ll now be able to open the glove compartment even more open by pressing inwards on it.
Behind the glove compartment, you’ll see the cabin air filter door, which can be removed by pulling it off from the sides. Using two hands (one hand pulling on each side of the filter), pull the entire cabin air filter out. Keep note of air flow arrow on both the plastic filter door and on the air filter itself. The new cabin filter will have the air flow arrow that you’ll need to point in the correct direction (down).
The Maintenance Minder lets you know to change the cabin air filter at periodic intervals, but based on how my cabin filter looked, I wouldn’t hesitate to replace the cabin air filter at more frequent intervals. Aside from the filter somehow getting crushed, it also was extremely dirty and had nuts stashed inside of it.
Some critter must have gotten into my Odyssey’s air ducting because of these nuts that were found inside the filter, as well as on the blower motor underneath the filter. If I just replaced the cabin air filter only without cleaning out the blower motor, I would probably hear a bunch of rattling whenever operating the fan.
It’s difficult to get access to atop the blower motor, so I used my phone to take photos so I could get a close up view of the debris that I’d have to remove. This is where a flexible pickup tool, along with some patience and careful manuevering will help you in removal of any debris in the fan.
After cleaning everything up, reinstall the cabin air filter with the air flow arrows pointing down.
With the cabin filter back in, reinstall the plastic door, put the glove compartment door back in reverse of removal and you’re all finished with this job. Don’t forget to go into your maintenance minder on your infotainment system under select Settings, Vehicle, and Maintenance Information to reset the maintenance items as necessary.
