Air conditioning filter

Well, even if it worked all the time, it still wouldn't work because of the difference in air pressure -- and the only way I know to keep the pressure on the inside higher than the outside is to have the heat turned up high. This is the same principle that keeps the dust out of a car on the backroads (as the interior is not a sealed compartment)
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In addition to the micro dust and pollin filter there is a normal ventilation filter that filters all the time. I don't have my car yet so I can't check but I think it is behind the glove boxes and fairly easy to get at. At least that's where it was with the Gen2 and someone said this one is in the same place.

Here is a Gen2 thread you might want to read: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-.../18551-check-your-cabin-air-filter-today.html

 

It's in the same location in the 2010 Prius.

 

This is great as I have just finished reading my manual and this is one burning question I have. What is the purpose of the special 3 minute filter? Is it a 2nd more thorough level of filtering of cabin air? If so, where is that filter located at? I appreciate any more details anyone has.

 

Good question--the micro dust and pollen filter location and maintenance schedule are not addressed in the manual.

The owners manual refers to the filter behind the lower glove box as the air conditioning filter:
The air conditioning filter must be cleaned or changed regularly to maintain air conditioning efficiency.

I suspect this filters the cabin air as it recirculates through the A/C system, and is separate from the micro dust and pollen filter.

 

PriusTeam, can you help us out here? Thanks.

 

I have the same button/filter on a Lexus IS, and it's equally obscure:

Outside air mode switches to
(recirculated air) mode. Pollen
is removed from the air and the
air flows to the upper part of the​

body.
As a practical matter on the Lexus, in operation it does really kill any foul odors from outside, and does run for only the 3 minutes. I expect it may be a charcoal filter that functions like one I had in a MB, an activated charcoal filter that deals with organic odors better. The basic filter is dealing with all the outdoor dust and pollen, while this only is pulling recirculated (or at least mostly recirculated) air so it probably is a lot more dense. I've used the one on the IS occasionally and it does make a difference if my hay fever is especially bad. Why no maintenance? Maybe because of the limited use?

 

any chance the manual is referring to the plasma ionizer on package 4/5?

 

Nope. Manual clearly discusses each seperately (package IV here). The manual is quite vague about what the super filter does, other than the 3 minutes and claims about pollen. Haven't seen anything about maintenance or where it might be, but have not read the maintenance book fully yet either.

 

There's the Plasmacluster ionizer which just works with no controls or adjustments available, but then there's a button that claims to be some sort of pollen filter button. When you press it, it lights up for about 3 minutes, and I think the auto button goes out, and it switches from fresh to recirc if it needs to.

And I've read the manual cover to cover and know nothing more about that thing.

 

Here's what the manual says:

Micro dust and pollen filter
Press .
Outside air mode switches to recirculated air mode. Pollen is removed from the air and the air flows to the upper part of the body.
Usually the system will turn off automatically approximately 3 minutes later.
To stop the operation, press again.

 

In Japan, it is being called a hay-fever prevention feature.
Pollen is a serious issue here (almost everyone is allergic), so the feature is marketed as a way to clean/purify the cabin air and remove most of the pollen inside the car. If you turn it on, then switch back to outside air, I don`t think it will give much advantage. I have heard it`s a great feature though if you are only using cabin air and can filter very well. It will also filter most exhaust and pollution particles out of the air... Although it will have very limited use if you use the outdoor air. 3 minutes is enough to clean almost all the air inside the cabin. It will stay fairly clean until you open something if you are only recirculating.

My son has lung issues, so we hardly EVER use the outside air intake (when on mountain roads or no other cars on a country road is about the only time).
On our current car (Prius is on order) we had a filter installed by the dealer that does pretty much the same thing. I was pretty happy to see we wouldn`t have to have something extra added.

 

Excerpt from the tech info on the AC system:

So, basically, the micro dust/pollen filter button forces the system to go into recirc mode for 3 minutes (or 1 minute, as mentioned above). There is only one clean air filter, located behind the lower glove box (I think there is a sticker on the inside of the door explaining how to access the filter).

As mentioned, the Plasmacluster (only available on Gen III models IV and V) is a separate system that is always in operation when the AC system is on, and is located in the driver-side vent.

Hope this helps!

 

Yes, outside air ALWAYS runs through the filter.

 

ALL air (both outside and recirc) runs through the filter. Apparently, the micro filter/pollen button is there to remove particulates in recirc mode should any of the windows be opened, say, to pay a toll, and you then want to de-pollenize the cabin air once the windows are shut.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it (until proven otherwise )

 

That's as good a story as any. I thought maybe it was because they had an extra button and they wanted to make it do something that sounded neat.