Maybe it's time to check your cabin pollen filter?

Look for the May 2004 issue, it should be at your local library.

Overall, CR was very impressed with the Prius. They did comment on the vague steering.

 

They also rated the MPG at around 45MPG. Many of us get way over that, but my weekends as of late has me understanding why many don't get much higher than 50MPG.

 

CU imho is the best for evaluations of many many products. they did say that steering although accurate took a bit to get used to. also that mileage varies HUGEly by driving style. i believe that between their test drivers, there was nearly a 10 mpg difference.

also said some controls were confusing and difficult (didnt have Coastals nav overide...hehe) also questioned whether the display might cause a distraction.

road noise was high and seat comfort borderline. also rated the Prius an excellent buy going on included options and Toyota's legendary track record for reliability. they were very impressed by Toyotas included road service and extended coverage on the battery.

overall, a good report. i was disappointed that they didnt realize that unlike a regular car, climate plays a huge difference in your mileage results as most of us know just from the winter verses summer formula gas. not sure but according to a report from 2003, only parts of Texas, Lousiana, Mississippi and Fl. never switch to winter formula gas. i find it hard to believe that CA doesnt but they also have different polution regs so that may play a part in ti. it doesnt really say when the test was done, but judging by the temps they were reporting it would probably be early spring or winter.

 

Better than no filter at all folks

My friend drives an old Taurus and when she first used the AC after buying it a bunch of pine needles came flying out at her!

Mine was a little yellow from pollen when we did the EV switch but I blew on it a few times and it looks good again. It's only been (almost) 4 months.

 

I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but I'm missing a bug, a spider, and a flower. Hmmm ....

 

I was in Canadian Tire the other day and noticed that they now carry the pollen filter for the Camray and Prius and a few other models of Toyota's and they are $19 instead of $32 at the dealer.

 

I had the bug but got short shipped one spider.

 

hehehe

 

i have washed mine twice. it would appear that washing might be needed about once a month in some areas.

i was pleased in that mine seems to catch quite a bit of pollen.

to wash it i just take a kitchen spray nozzle, spray gently in the reverse direction. give it a shake to get excess water out, repeat, shake and let air dry over night.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius\";p=\"103780)</div>

Same thing.

 

One note on Electrostatic filters: when we were putting in the HVAC system of our house, we talked to the several people about it, including our general contractor, who had a lot of experience in HVAC.

He pointed us to a fair amount of literature warning of potential dangers with electrostatic filters (or at least some electrostatic filters), because they produce ozone. Ozone is (according to the EPA) potentially harmful to breathe; and so the building industry has been cautious in using them.

However, I don't know whether this is an issue only for larger electrostatic filters, or whether some have been built in ways to minimize/eliminate the risk.

We went with a micro filter for the house's HVAC system, and have been very happy with that.

 

[font=Comic Sans MS:0a9969d52c]I was at Home Depot today and happened to walk down the furnace filter aisle. For about $20 I can buy a passive electrostatic filter (no ozone, bookrats) that can be cut into about four cabin filters. Electrostatic filters can help reduce small particulates that other-than-HEPA filters don't touch.[/font:0a9969d52c]

 

I don't think passive electrostatic filters can produce ozone. Now active ones that use a high voltage (but weak current) to create the electrostatic field might.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"104662)</div>

[font=Comic Sans MS:b94d5113fc]Exactly, Dan. I wouldn't want to be in an enclosed space with an ionizing ozone generator.

Passive electrostatic filters use an electron-donor layer to impart a charge to airborne particulates and a down-stream electron-scavenging layer to attract the charged particulates and trap them.

Wash the filter when it's dirty, let it dry, and it's ready to use again. Having a couple of passive filters like this means you'll always have a fresh one (keep the spare in a zip-lock bag since it's always working).

To really complete the cabin air purification, add an activated carbon filter after the electrostatic filter to scrub out odors. I saw the activated carbon filter media in the same aisle at Home Depot, with the air cleaners.[/font:b94d5113fc]

 

I just changed my filter. I changed it by looking at the online pictures of how to change the filter. It only took me 5 minutes. I live in Salem, OR and we don't have much pollution so I was expecting to find a pretty clean filter but was I wrong. Somehow, a bird had gotten into the system and built a nest. No bird but twigs and leaves and feathers. The filter was a mess. Any ideas on how the bird got in there? Jim