Check your Cabin Air Filter Today!

[TidelandProud]

Originally Posted by jayman

John's site has excellent instructions on how to change the cabin air filter. A very similar procedure is used to change the cabin air filter on my FJ, including the same little spring loaded damper thing

You may not have the claws on the glove box properly engaged into the dash. I'd just remove the glove box to verify this, and try to put it in again

If the glove box is full of stuff, that can also make installation difficult.

Thanks for responding. You're right about John's site -- The step-by-step pictures were extremely helpful in taking out the glove box. I only wish there was a picture that's focused on the damper thing, unobstructed by the box. In the process of changing the filter, I removed the damper, then forgot how it worked originally. As for the current possibilities, claws appeared properly aligned with dash, glove box is relatively empty. Now, if hooked to the damper, glove box can only sit open; it won't budge even when the damper is not extended. Although it's now hanging loose, the damper still requires some fussing before I can get box to fold up, leading me to suspect my faulty alignment of the damper to be the culprit.

[Patrick Wong]

If you take a look at the damper, you will see two tab holes on the body. The hole nearest to the damper piston should be attached to the pin in the instrument panel, not the hole at the far end. See if that helps.

[jayman]

I tried taking a photo but I'm not very artsy-fartsy, and have a cheap digital camera. Perhaps somebody with better photograph abilities can take a photo of the glovebox open, damper correctly positioned?

The glovebox on my FJ works the same way. Some FJ owners have also had problems getting the damper on again

[TidelandProud]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

If you take a look at the damper, you will see two tab holes on the body. The hole nearest to the damper piston should be attached to the pin in the instrument panel, not the hole at the far end. See if that helps.

This worked perfectly. What a relief, thanks so much! I thought I had tried every permutation previously – 1st tab, 2nd tab; up, down; left, right. I must have overlooked or abandoned this one prematurely. I can now claim to have changed both engine and cabin air filters successfully for less than half the cost of parts alone through my dealer (and considerable help from this forum).

Originally Posted by jayman

I tried taking a photo but I'm not very artsy-fartsy, and have a cheap digital camera. Perhaps somebody with better photograph abilities can take a photo of the glovebox open, damper correctly positioned?

The glovebox on my FJ works the same way. Some FJ owners have also had problems getting the damper on again

Thanks for your continued interest and the call for photos. None may be necessary after all. On the rare chance that there are others as klutzy as me with this damper problem, I’ll try to describe the solution verbally: As Patrick said the hole closest to the piston attaches to the panel. When properly hooked to the box, the piston extends as box is opening and retracts when it's closing.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by TidelandProud

... I can now claim to have changed both engine and cabin air filters successfully for less than half the cost of parts alone through my dealer (and considerable help from this forum).

Nice work, congratulations to you!

[DaveinOlyWA]

ok what is the deal with the Metro website. i have tried to order cabin and engine air filters, i check cart, have one of each, but on checkout, it charges for multiple quantities of both, and once actually added an engine filter for a 01-03 Pri!!

[Patrick Wong]

I don't know about Metro, but I am pleased with the service from Champion Toyota, Houston:
Champion ToyotaWorld

They have a minimum freight charge of $10, so you may find that it makes more sense to order several filters at once, to leverage that freight charge. Also note the oil filter special where the price is $3.29 each if you buy a case of 10.

[MacT66]

I found cabin air filter for $3.73 here:

New cabin air filter for a 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS cheap, only 3.73


They did not list it for 2008. Is the 2007 filter the same as the 2008?

[Patrick Wong]

The cabin air filter size has remained unchanged for all Prius, 2001 to 2009. However 2010+ will have a different size.

[msirach]

Yes, it's the same. I bought one from the local Toyota dealer a couple of weeks ago and it was $36.00 I could have bought an OEM online for $16. I complained and they said that I didn't have to buy it. But I did. My son was home on spring break from UVA and going to drive it back. I'm going to order some to keep at home to change friend's out. It only takes about 10 minutes or less.

Originally Posted by MacT66

I found cabin air filter for $3.73 here:

New cabin air filter for a 2007 TOYOTA PRIUS cheap, only 3.73


They did not list it for 2008. Is the 2007 filter the same as the 2008?