I had some time this weekend so I decided to change them. They were pretty dirty and did notice some white spots that might be mold but not too sure. Anyway, I found these instructions on how to change them but they left out some key points so I'll post them here, modified slightly with my own steps. Hope they prove helpful.

A/C Micron Filter Replacement
1) Open the glove box, and remove whatever stuff you are hiding in there.
2) There is a piston that slows the glove box opening, you can remove the piston from the glove box itself by pushing the tab just to the right of where it screws to the box and it will snap off.
3) Using the flatblade screwdriver, pop off the two stoppers on either side of the glove box. They are on the sides of the inner part where you put your stuff.
4) Once the stoppers are off, the glove box should fully open downward. Next Remove the two phillips screws holding the glove box to the dash.
5)Once the glove box is fully off, you'll have to remove the plastic panel that says "Do not discard" that is held on by two phillips screws.
6) To remove panel, you must pull out the fake wood trim along side the passenger side console (just pops up) and then remove the plastic side panel that runs along side the passenger side up to the glove box by unscrewing 3 screws. The screws will be exposed once you remove the fake wood trim.
7) Once you get those pieces off, you will see 2 more screws that hold the "Do not discard" panel in place. Remove those and pop the panel out to gain access to the filters.
8) With the panel off you will see a plastic tab that runs vertically thru the middle of the filter housing, unhook the bottom and lift the piece up and inside you will see the filters.
9) You'll see two white verticle boxes one on top of the other, these are where the filters are held. Note the direction of the air flow (pointing to the driver's side)
10) Pull the bottom one out first, then the top one.
11) While you have the old filter out of the boxes, take a minute to clean them.
12) Put in the new filters in the same direction as the old ones.
13) Put the boxes with the new filters back in place, top one first then bottom one (It's easier).
14) Put back all screws and panels in reverse order that you took them out.

 

I posted this in a related thread - but I thought I'd also add it here.
-----
One note about those instructions... The first time you change them, you have to cut out the "Do not Discard" panel with a razor blade or good scissors. It's marked as to where to cut. After that, you screw it on sideways as instructed.
-----

By the way, those are very good instructions.

 

Oh by the way... I've never removed any trim to get the box off, although it might make it a little easier.

 

I think I remember coming across those, I figured these could be used by those you don't want to cut anything. It took me about 45min, but that was because I spent a good while trying to figure out how to remove the entire panel, until I removed the wood trim and saw those 2 screws that were holding in place!!

The instructions were created by EDUB over at A-World.com. I just added a few steps.

 

pix would be round out these instructions perfectly!

 

Yea I know. But don't have a digi cam!!

 

Just used these instructions today to change mine. Took me all of 15 minutes to change them and have everything back together, and I had the replacement filters in my trunk for over 3 mths.

Anyways the instuctions were dead on, except for steps 5,6,& 7. I used a pair of heavy trauma shears I have which is used to cut heavy clothing, and just snipped the small tabs around the do not discard panel. Just remove that panel, and when putting everything back together, mount the panel back horizontally, and use the 2 philips screws already there to secure it in place.

Thanx Rich

 

Glad to see you FINALLY got around to changing them!!

How dirty were the old ones? Any signs of mildew?

-Rich

 

When exactly does the filter come into play, during the recycle mode or all of the time (vent and recycle mode)? (Sorry to diverge).

 

They are in between the fan and the evaporator. It's always being used, regardless of where the air is coming from.

 

After 2 years, and 30k, that thing was dirty.

Car had a little stale smeel to it, and now that they have been changed, I dont notice it any more. Air always passes through them, no matter what mode you are in.

 

Thanks Rich and Eric!

Now that I think of it, I don't think I have ever changed my a/c filter since I first bought the car over 4 years ago!