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Terrible OEM cabin filter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by our1vue, Apr 1, 2013.

  1. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I posted a video on the air filter thread for you.
     
  2. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Here's my video on how to replace the cabin air filter
     
    #22 NutzAboutBolts, Jun 9, 2013
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2015
    3bebe, JamesKFChiu and mrstop like this.
  3. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Thank you! Will do both of mine today.
     
  4. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I bought a Carbon one on E-bay. It was only $8 with ship so we will see how good it is.
     
  5. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Reminds me I need to clip my nose hair today.
     
  6. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Awaiting arrival of my order of the K&N Cabin Air Filter, so will post once I install it and see how if fits and compares to the OEM filter.
    Edit: Package arrived just as I hit the post button. The removal of the glove box door is a little more complicated than I remembered from my Gen II, but I managed to get it off. From that point forward, replacing the filter was a cinch. The K&N slid right into place. They recommend cleaning every 12 months/12K miles. I bought the cleaning kit for both the cabin filters and engine air filters this time. Just starting to use both filters in the PiP at 30K miles, but have had an engine air filter from K&N in my Lexus for 20K miles. They suggest cleaning the engine air filter at 50K mile intervals. At the rate at which I accumulate mileage, I will be doing the annual cabin filter service. I may never hit the 50K on the Lexus, as I am at 70K on a 12 year old car.:rolleyes:;):p For some reason Amazon doesn't carry the K&N cabin air filter for the Lexus, but the OEM price at the dealer is around $50, so I'm going to get one direct from K&N next time.
     
    #26 rogerv, Feb 20, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2015
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  7. defrankond

    defrankond Member

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    I actually wonder if one could make their own out of a furnace air filter. Get some 1000 particulate filtration going on lol
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    looks beefy. what was your impression vs the oem?
     
  9. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Bisco, are you asking me ? Only comment I have now is that I notice a solvent-like smell when I first get in the car.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sniff sniff...(n)
     
  11. Lino

    Lino Member

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    I avoid using outside air, so I have no need for a cabin filter, one of my cars I disconnected the motor that controls outside air intake, but for some odd reason on the prius the outside air seems to work better for defrosting, so I'm forced to use it once in a while for very limited time.
    I'm just not into taking in the aroma of cow shit and other smells while driving, I use recirc only.
     
  12. dandeman

    dandeman Junior Member

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    Instructions would have you trim all your nose hair out.. Too restrictive for air flow needed for that 100yard dash and need that loud breathing intake sound :):)
     
  13. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    So where do you suppose the air in the car comes from?
    All cars defog better with outside air because inside air becomes humid as you breathe.

    Some cabin air filters incorporate activated charcoal to help reduce odors.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ Yeah, I don't think its good, keeping it in recirc, not enough air volume in a car to be healthy.

    I do the opposite, lol.
     
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  15. Lino

    Lino Member

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    I commute for 2 hours a day one way, and have never had humid air in my car, what I have had is nasty smells from surounding areas that I don't get in recirc.
    Cold outside air without a way for it to escape from your car Is harder to heat, and an AC trying to cool outside hot air is a waste and doesn't really work.
     
  16. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Not exactly. In "recirc" you're getting a blend of inside and outside air. That setting does increase the percentage of inside air, but not to 100%.
     
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  17. rogerv

    rogerv Senior Member

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    Odor seems to be dissipating- I hardly notice it now after a week or so. And I decided a better description than "solvent" would be shop rags after you have wiped oil on them a time or two.;)
     
  18. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    flow arrows point up????????
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if it just has arrows, they should point down, that's the direction of flow. this can be confusing on an aftermarket filter. the oem should have an arrow with the word 'up'. you install it with the arrow up, but the flow is down.
     
  20. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    ARGH! It stays. LOL