There are only two tools required to change the Pollen Filter in a VW Golf MK5. You will need to have a Torx Screwdriver of some sort (T20 size) and a standard flathead screwdriver.
Alternatively, you can use a screwdriver which has interchangeable tips, this gives you the benefit of more flexible options in terms of quickly changing tips and is small and portable enough to use. I have both a precision kit (mainly what I use for computer repair) and the actual tools. I just used my precision kit because I had it on hand.
Another option, if you have no flathead or torx screwdrivers, you could get away with using something like a nail file or scissors, but the points on the torx are fine so it would take a large amount of time. It is easier going to buy one, they’re cheap enough (maybe £5)
In this picture, I used my precision screwdriver kit that I purchased from machine mart
{£5.99 – and it contained all the parts I needed – see the kit I used that I purchased from Machine Mart here}
You can see in this picture the filter that fit my car was from a company called Alco. The part number from Alco was MS-6274, my car is a VW Golf GT TDI MK5 (140HP), although you will probably find VW have the same filter for many models. One of the perks with VW, they tend to use similar parts across many models of car. I purchased my Pollen Filter from a local car store; they’re not expensive and generally only need replacement every 50,000 miles.
Pollen Filter replacement varies depending on where you drive, if you live in a place with clean air and do frequent long drives it can last longer. If you live in an area where you do frequent high miles or city driving, it probably needs replacement sooner
If you are in any doubt and don’t want to spend the money you can easily check it out yourself to see how dirty it is and decide from there. If you don’t want to pop off the covers, then refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines on servicing to get information for your vehicle for when the pollen filter
UPDATED COMMENTS:
I looked this up to save time, for reference the standard servicing for replacement of a pollen filter with Volkswagen is every 2 years (or every 20,000 miles) whichever comes first.
You can either purchase your filter directly from Volkswagen themselves or an aftermarket filter from a local car store. I purchased mine from a car store; they’re usually around £8-10 in price
Using your screwdriver with the T20 torx bit, loosen the 3 screws underneath the glove box holding the filter housing and foam cover in place. You can see them circled above in the 2nd picture; they’re spaced evenly apart, one nearest the centre column, one in the centre and one nearest the door next to the foot well light. Remove these screws
When you have removed the Torx screws, change your bit or changeover to the flat head screwdriver. You will need to look underneath the glove box; you will then see the following two plastic screws holding the foam in place. Remove these screws
When you have removed the torx screws (I have circled their relevant positions above) and the flathead screws from the foam, you will need to remove the foam away from the covers. I found the best way to do this is by digging a finger just behind the light, there is a gap here. Once you have started moving the foam away it should come off easy if you have removed all 5 screws.
When you have removed the foam cover, look underneath the glove box, in the foot well you should be presented with something like this. To remove the pollen filter you need to loosen it from its housing. In order to do this, slide the latch (circled yellow) to the left, it will then unlock and fall down
When you have slid the cover off, it will fall down to the floor and the older filter should pull out quite easy enough. You will then be able to see the quality of the filter you are removing on your car after the latch has been released
After the old filter has dropped down when the cover was removed (picture above) all you have to do is reinstall the new filter, it should slot in easy enough, just reinstall in the same procedure the old one came out (for reference it reinstalls in the orientation in the picture below)
This is a direct comparison on my new filter and the old filter; you can see how dirty they get. So remember to replace these, as they help people who suffer from Asthma and I’d rather not think of the rubbish you breathe in with a dirty filter
This picture is mainly for reference, this is the latches that the cover for the pollen filters housing slots into when the filter has been reinstalled. The latch will only fit one way, so it should be easy enough to work out. As reinstallation is just simply a case of swapping old for new filters and securing the latch again
When you have reinstalled the new filter, secure the latch by pushing it the right, it will lock in place. You then need to place the foam over the air holes, it’s best to “tuck” it under the glove box to get it into place. When you have done this, replace all 5 screws and you are done with the filter replacement
This isn’t anything specific; it’s just a reference to the mileage that I changed my filter on my car for my own purposes. It may help you decide when to change your filter, it may not. I am using this picture as a reference to build up a service history so I don’t forget
