replacing cabin filter

I was replacing the cabin filter on my 1999 chevy Venture and would like to know if the arrows on the filter should point up. I took my old filter out and the arrows pointed downward. The filter worked fine, I never noticed any problems even though it was upside down? Or was actually rightside up?

If the arrows were pointing down, that is probably the correct way to install the new one. The arrows indicate air flow. Was the dirt on the top of the old filters? If so put the new ones in the same direction. Make sure you replace both filters ( You have to slide the second one over to remove it ). Good luck!

Yes, the arrows should face down. That's the way the air flows.

If the arrows were pointing down, that is probably the correct way to install the new one. The arrows indicate air flow. Was the dirt on the top of the old filters? If so put the new ones in the same direction. Make sure you replace both filters ( You have to slide the second one over to remove it ). Good luck!

Can't remember which side the dirt was on. I saw a video on You Tube with a guy replacing a maxima filter in the exact same location as the Venture's and he said be sure the arrows faced up ward. The arrows represent air flow and I thought the air moved upward into the glove compartment area?

The air flows down through the filter. If you ever get the chance to change one of these filters on a van that lives under a tree you will see what I mean.

The air flows down through the filter. If you ever get the chance to change one of these filters on a van that lives under a tree you will see what I mean.

Thanks for the answer. Just curious, what route does the air take? I mean where is the entry point? And once it flows downward is it pushed back up into the vents.

Air enters the system through the cowl vents. I don't know the exact path in the venture but usually air comes in through the cowl vent and goes down through the kick-panel area then through the hvac unit and on to the rest of the system.

The cowl vents (fresh air vents) on the Venture are under a vented plastic cowl (screen) directly below your winshield at both the drivers and passengers sides.

If you see a lot of crap sitting there it may be a good idea to remove the cowl and clean the vents (you'll eventually get an unpleasant musty odor) and ensure the water drain tubes are clean as well.