How to Replace Mazda CX-7 Cabin Air Filter

Introduction

If you feel like the air being pumped into the cab of your Mazda CX-7 isn't as clean as it should be, it may be time to clean your old one out or replace it. A clean or newer air filter filters the air coming into your cab more efficiently, allowing cleaner air to be pushed to your vents faster. A clean or new Mazda CX-7 cabin air filter can also improve your car's gas mileage because you don't have to run the fan at a higher speed to get the air to come out the vents at the speed you want it. Also, replacing your cabin air filter yourself can be done in less than 15 minutes for less than $30; the process costs at least $80 at most car dealers and auto maintenance shops.

Introduction

1. Open the glove box in your Mazda CX-7 and then remove any contents in the glove box. Locate the thin black plastic on the bottom part on the outside right wall of the glove box.
2. Push the black plastic piece in toward the glove box until you hear a pop and the piece suddenly becomes easy to move. Don't panic; you didn't break it.
3. Push the left and right walls of the glove box in to move the nubs holding the glove box in place out of their slots, all the while carefully pulling the glove box toward you. The walls of the glove box are difficult to pull inward, and it may require that you use two hands on each side and do one side at a time. Eventually, the glove box will pop out of place and reveal the area behind it that contains the Mazda CX-7's cabin air filter. The cabin air filter cover is located in the lower-right region of the exposed area and has two arrows pointing down on it.
4. Grab the top part of the cabin air filter cover and pull it toward you to pop it free and then remove it to reveal the cabin air filter, which has a single down-pointing arrow on it.
5. Grab the cabin air filter and carefully pull it toward you to remove it from its slot. You may have to angle the filter to the left to work it around the bottom of the glove box to remove it.
6. Hold the new Mazda CX-7 cabin air filter so the front is facing you and make sure the arrow on the front it pointing down.
7. Carefully slide the new cabin air filter into the slot.
8. Replace the cabin air filter cover and push it in its slot until it clicks and locks into place.
9. Lift the glove box up and push it back until the nubs on the back edges of the glove box pop back into place and the glove box can support its own weight.
10. Grab the black plastic piece extending down just outside the right edge of the glove box and pull it down so it reaches the small piece on the glove box that it connects to. Pull the black piece extending down to the right over the smaller piece on the glove box until it clicks and locks into place.
11. Replace the contents of the glove box and then close it until it clicks and locks.