How to replace dust/pollen (cabin), air, and fuel filters?

[Kelly Daley]

Help a girl out! I don't want to be another sucker being overcharged by the dealer just to replace a few filters. Of course the standard VW Passat owner's manual gives no hint. Could someone steer me in the right direction to access and replace these 3 filters: dust/pollen (ie cabin) filter, air filter, and oil filter?!

[spasticone]

Buy a manual. 30 bucks that you can count on saving the first time you use it.

[budlat]

I had the same problem. The owner's manual is an inch thick but gives no clue as to where the filter is. Turns out its under a plastic cover under the hood. Look at the passenger side right in the back corner of the hood opening. It's just below the bottom of the windshield. On some models I think there is a cover panel that runs the full width of the engine compartment that has to be removed first. On mine, there's a small black panel with some really ugly clips that have to be sprung, then you see the filter. Its actually a tricky thing to do, but certainly can be done by DYI'er.