Engine Air Filter

It's fairly easy to find aftermarket Fram and the like at regular auto parts stores. We've had endless debates about the cost savings vs quality.

The engine filter doesn't need changing that often, unless you drive on dusty gravel roads. The cabin air filter is another matter altogether

Some of the Priuschat cheap bastards - like Yours Truly - will get a large HEPA furnace filter from a Big Box store, and cut it to work as a cabin air filter

 

Dealers will set their own price, though I would guess there is a MSRP. I buy mine from Metro for considerably less than what the local dealer charges.

 

Search on line, you can buy cheap genuine parts on line, get a few or get a polen filter and oil filters to save on postage. I now only use genuine Toyota filters.

 

although you should replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles...

if your really cheap, and i am really cheap and you do not want to buy the furnace filter for your cabin air filter, you could just remove it and then soak/wash it by hand in soapy water and rinse it, allow it to air dry, and then put it back in your prius. heh

 

The Fram Prius filter is crap. It only has about 1/2 the pleats (and 1/2 the surface area) of the stock Toyota filter.

I bought a K&N filter made for the Prius that is very high quality and lasts forever. K&N #33-2329 and it's about $40 online.

http://www.knfilters.com/news/news.aspx?ID=526http://www.amazon.com/dp/product/B000NKCJ10?tag=priuschatcom-20

 

There are several interesting alternatives for cabin air filters, but they should not be confused with the engine air. That one should be (at least) designed for the task.

K&N engine air filters are in use in many Prius (of all model years) but they have some potential drawbacks and best suited for DIYer who attend closely to maintenance matters.

 

I bought one for my 07 for about $15 online, genuine Denso made Japan. I got free shipping as needed other things. Won't need it for another year or two. I saw also for $11 plus shipping from a dealer in Texas. I need to replace every 3-4 years so $15 isn't too budget breaking an amount. I would stick to this brand as I believe their triple layer claim. Usually I ignore claims but not from this company.

 

Get on the toyota dealer's mailing list - here have parts sales twice per year. They just had their 20% off sale and I picked up engine air filters for $13.60.

 

I have the same K&N also and love it, I could not find a good deal on ebay so I found a discount coupon here: K&N 33-2329, or you can try one of the vendors on the forum here, you can usually find a good deal that way as well. This was very easy to install and I love it. :rockon: