Cabin Air Filter

[rick57]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu\";p=\"79750)</div>

I suggest all Prius drivers consider the following:  At your favorite hardware store, buy a washable electrostatic filter sold for residential HVAC.  Tpically you will see a 20 X 25 inch for $20.  Cut the element into 8 3/8 inch or 21 cm squares.  Keep a couple for yourself and the rest for Prius party favors, etc. Remove, wash and reuse.

To the Toyota employees who contribute so much here, I hope that not everybody takes my advice, and that your company can maintain a profitable service/maintenence operation.  But frankly the Toyota part is not cost effective in this application.[/b]

No harm in trying to find something more cost effective,as long as quality doesn't suffer. I know all about the price differences since I own a Toyota MR2 and my wife has a Chevrolet Tahoe. Having worked at a Cad/Olds dealer in the 80's, I have first hand experience in the big price differences between domestic verses import.

[mikepaul]

The filter I pulled out was like felt, where the one I put in was more plastic-like with fibers running across it, for support I guess.

It didn't fit under tabs like the original, but had spongy material on two sides to let it fit snugly.

The original had a bunch of leaves and junk on it, so I'd suggest even if people aren't going to change them, perhaps they should still clean them off occasionally. I'm not sure the filter was too dirty to keep using, but it was rather grey...

[jayman]

I'm not sure the filter was too dirty to keep using, but it was rather grey...

Yuck, sounds like the intake filter on the HRV at my place. Now imagine if you always have to breathe air *that* dirty!