Check your Cabin Air Filter Today!

[ETP]

Originally Posted by ETP

This by far the best deal I have seen. Did I miss another post? Also, are all the engine air filters the same for GEN2?

That link no longer works for $3.73 so I went the e-bay route that KJR went and orderd two sets.

[ETP]

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?

I could not get this link to work.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by efusco

...

Also, John1701a has a very nice write up on how to find and replace. Probably more detail than most need, but if you're not very handy it may help.

...

Does the instruction work for 2009 model? By "pulling inward" it means pulling left/right toward the inside of the glove box, right? Thanks!

[2009Prius]

Just looked at the filter at about 3K miles. Sure enough there were quite a few small fragments of natural material and even one good size leave. Vacuumed it and put it back. Vacuuming removed about 2/3 or 3/4 of visible pieces of stuff. The rest seems lodged pretty well in the fibers and won't come off. The fan and the housing for the filter assembly above the fan seem pretty clean.

There should be a screen to catch/stop these big chunks, preferably more upstream. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

...There should be a screen to catch/stop these big chunks, preferably more upstream.

If you're serious about this, then you could remove the two-piece black plastic cowl housing that runs across the bottom of the windshield, after first removing the wiper arms, the two plastic fasteners on either end of the cowl housing, and the rubber trim strip that runs across the cowl housing.

Once the plastic housing is removed, you will see the large rectangular holes in the bulkhead that allow airflow into the cabin. If you place mesh screening across those holes, you will keep large leaves out (and also mice, for that matter.)

[jayman]

Yes, covering the HVAC intake holes in the cowl would be effective with rodents and leaves. You would have to regularly remove the cowl to clean the screen though.

Not a perfect solution, but I doubt we will ever find one

[ETP]

Originally Posted by KJR

Got these pretty fast after ordering. Air cabin filter and engine air filter for about $20 shipped. Ordered on the weekend and got it by the end of the following week. Here's the new parts, the dirty cabin air filter and the new one installed. This is from a 2008 Prius purchase December 29, 2007. This is the first replacement. Car has 14000 miles is garaged and uses covered parking when I'm at work. The filter was dirtier than I expected.

Kelvin

Ditto, these were fast and the product was perfect. I still like the idea that someone posted about buying a large trim and fit house filter and make 8-16 of these for the cabin.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

If you're serious about this, then you could remove the two-piece black plastic cowl housing that runs across the bottom of the windshield, after first removing the wiper arms, the two plastic fasteners on either end of the cowl housing, and the rubber trim strip that runs across the cowl housing.

Once the plastic housing is removed, you will see the large rectangular holes in the bulkhead that allow airflow into the cabin. If you place mesh screening across those holes, you will keep large leaves out (and also mice, for that matter.)

Just found this photo



from here:
Prius heat-efficiency mods

I assume those are the rectangular holes I need to put screen on? What is the frame made of? Metal or plastic? I would like to get as much planning done as possible before actually opening it up. Thanks!

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by 2009Prius

...I assume those are the rectangular holes I need to put screen on? What is the frame made of? Metal or plastic?

Yes. The frame is sheet steel, so you will have to drill small holes and use self-tapping metal screws to secure the screen.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by Patrick Wong

Yes. The frame is sheet steel, so you will have to drill small holes and use self-tapping metal screws to secure the screen.

Thanks! I was wondering whether sheet metal screws would be secure enough in a car. Would it work itself loose with all the vibrations in the car?