2012–2018 Audi A6
By Ray Delgado ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 24, 2026 · Updated Oct 14, 2026
Save $80 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $103
Quick answer: Cabin Air Filter Replacement on a 2012–2018 Audi A6 is rated Easy and takes about 20 minutes. Parts cost about $23. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filter, charcoal type for C7 A6 | — | $23.00 |
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Move the front passenger seat as far back as it will go and switch the ignition off. The C7 A6's cabin filter is on the passenger side under the glove box — Audi moved it here from the cowl, where the previous-generation A6 kept it, so do not go looking under the hood for it.
Look under the glove box for the screw clips (the expanding plastic rivets) holding the insulation mat. Back them out with a flathead screwdriver.
Loosen the insulation mat from its bracket and lower it out of the way. Note the hook tabs along the glove box that seat into openings in the mat. Press the hook tabs from below to free the mat.
Lay paper or a rag on the carpet under the filter. Find the rectangular shaft cover on the air intake housing, release its catches, and pull the cover off. Set it on the passenger seat where it will not get stepped on.
Slide the dust and pollen filter out of the air intake housing shaft. Note the beveled edge on one side of the filter — that bevel must face the fresh air blower when reinstalled.
Slide the new filter into the shaft with the beveled edge facing the fresh air blower, seating it fully. Push it home with even pressure on both ends — a tilted filter leaves a bypass gap along one edge where dust streams past the media.
Snap the shaft cover back on until its catches click, refit the insulation mat over the hook tabs, and reinstall the screw clips. Start the car and run the HVAC on high through each mode. This is a once-a-year or roughly every-15,000-mile item.
I learned this one the hard way — I snap the shaft cover on until the catches click and refit the mat over the hook tabs before the screw clips.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
2012–2018
2012–2018
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2009–2011
2009–2011
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