Check your Cabin Air Filter Today!

I bought mine on eBay 2 for $11.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cabin-air-f...062498059QQrdZ1

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 5 2006, 10:22 AM) [snapback]250187[/snapback]</div>

A stupid question from a newbie. Does the classic have the AC filter, if so is it in the same place?

The "washable electrostatic" filters sold for whole house HVAC are not HEPA, but they seem comparable in effectiveness to the Toyota original. Purchase at hardware store of your choice (about $20), liberate the treated foam material from its frame, and cut into as many 21.5 cm squares as possible. Rinse and dry it at your interval of choice.

I don't expect that one of these squares is a lifetime supply because the magic electrostatic treatment must eventually wear off. But you will be extending your replacement intervals very far.

Also, there is a Canadian source for actual HEPA car filters, but I will need some help remembering the name.

This may sound a little odd, but I'd suggest to the powers that be that a sticky be posted atop the Maintenance Forum reminding people to do this. Not only is it easy to forget if you're DIY person, but I've already had the experience that the dealer also overlooks it when doing one of the bigger maintenance services.

And yes, Muleears, it's in the same place on the Classic Prius. And it's not a stupid question.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 5 2006, 09:22 AM) [snapback]250187[/snapback]</div>

I paid $19.38 (no shipping) from my dealer's parts desk, after the 10% parts discount that most dealers will give if you ask or have coupons.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(seasalsa @ May 5 2006, 09:42 AM) [snapback]250201[/snapback]</div>

When I got my Cabin filter from the dealer it came in a red cardboard box with "toyota original parts" all over it. Since I don't see that box in the ebay photo I'd be concerned that it may not be as high quality as the original part.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 6 2006, 03:28 PM) [snapback]250812[/snapback]</div>

efusco I'm sure you know all this, but...

You can't tell a good filter by just looking at it... there are two main parameters that are important: What is the smallest particle size that it filters out, and how much does it impede airflow. Optimizing both of those parameters is not easy, and I would trust Toyota to have done the R&D to get it right. After all, if the filters impede the airflow, they will get burned out fan motors that they have to replace under warranty (or have to overdesign the fan motors at great expense to compensate for a poor filter). If the filters don't filter small particles they won't qualify for HEPA designation. But aftermarket filter manufacturers don't have any of those requirements, they just have to look like they are the same size. I notice the ebay page doesn't use the word HEPA.

A bad filter will "work" but will either increase the load on your HVAC system (reducing it's effectiveness at extreme temperatures), or will fail to filter as well. It seems to me that paying an extra $10 every few years for the OEM part is worthwhile.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 5 2006, 07:22 AM) [snapback]250187[/snapback]</div>

Good reminder as I live in the San Joaquin Valley and we are always in competition with LA and Riverside for poorest air quality in the nation. I did a search of priuschat for HEPA and this is what I came up with.

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...=0&#entry182839

Wildkow

if you're like me any possible extra filtration would be completely gone when you drive around with the windows open all day anyway :lol:

my car's interior gets covered in pollen grains every time i go out for a drive. good thing i'm not allergic to that kind of stuff.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tmorrowus @ May 6 2006, 12:58 PM) [snapback]250804[/snapback]</div>

Mine came in a Toyota original parts box. Notice that they have the Toyota parts number on them in the photo. I notice Toyota dealers sell on eBay, check out the oil filters from Rusty Wallace Toyota.

I have allergies. They hit bad twice a year. Spring with the tree pollen and fall when it starts raining with the mold. My friend the allergist suggested changing the air filter more often than recommended and it has made a noticeable difference. If you have allergies change it.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 5 2006, 09:22 AM) [snapback]250187[/snapback]</div>

Guilty as charged.

Actually, it isn't a true HEPA-rated filter, but very close. It's the Supreme furnace filter from Canadian Tire, which is rated at MERV 12. Usually, a HEPA is rated at MERV 16+, which is something you probably have in the OR.

I first got the idea when I had my house in the burbs. My HRV was sucking in dust, pollen, etc, and the standard foam "filter" didn't cut it. It was very easy to take a Canadian Tire Supreme filter, trim to fit, and it made a huge difference to my indoor air quality. I ran the HRV 24/7 and never noticed any difference in the fan temperature.

What I DID notice was the crap the filter collected out of the incoming air. In winter, I could usually get the filter to last the entire season. In summer 2 months max and it was BLACK. Geez, hope I don't catch lung cancer walking around outside.

The couple I sold the home to remain in touch with me, and based on my recommendation they also use Canadian Tire Supreme furnace filters in the HRV. That HRV is almost 6 years old, and still going strong.

I haven't noticed any difference in airflow using a Canadian Tire Supreme filter. It works out to about $10 Cdn as I can get 2 Prius HVAC filters out of one Canadian Tire filter.

uh... I've searched this forum and can't find the answer to...
regarding the cabin air filter, is cabin air entering through the vents filtered ONLY when using A/C or is all air entering the cabin through the vents filtered???

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dancekat59 @ May 28 2006, 11:15 PM) [snapback]262291[/snapback]</div>

I think its for all air, but I'm not sure.....

I was wondering Evan, how many miles to you estimate it takes before they need cleaning?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(windstrings @ Jun 12 2006, 11:32 PM) [snapback]270344[/snapback]</div>

If anyone is still interested I sell them for $15.00 plus shipping through my website. They are Genuine Toyota filters.

Recommended inspection/cleaning/replacement is every 15K. Earlier if you can remember would be better since some of the ones that I have seen have been pretty bad even though they were not overdue for service.

Did we ever determine that the cheaper ones are just as good as the more-expensive electrostatic kind (like I bought)?

While it'll be a bit before my next replacement, this reminds me to look for more junk on it like I found last time...

https://www.autohausaz.com/

I found a super cheap place for filters...Engine air filter and cabin air filters. Engine air filters are $10.45 and Cabin Air Filters are $6.05 They fit better than the factory. Cabin air filter part number
MAZ074446 White Box (dont let teh Mazda part number fool you it pits perfect...no cutting or alterations...at least not for my 2005 Prius). And their engine filter part number TOY089329. And if you order over $50 in stuff shipping was free. So I stocked up. I was a little worried about the fit... but no worries they were great.

https://www.autohausaz.com/

Just had to let everyone know.