1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Changing air conditioner filter myself on 2012 Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by CraigCSJ, Aug 21, 2013.

  1. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2004
    287
    144
    0
    Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I have a 2012 Prius Plug-In and would like to be able to change the air conditioner filter myself, as I was easily able to do on my 2004 Prius. However, the 2012 is different, and I haven't been able to take the lower glove compartment off. The right side is similar to the 2004, but the left side is not. I think I can see where the filter is behind the glove compartment.

    Can someone tell me how to remove the lower glove compartment and change the filter, or direct me to a place with this information? I looked at John1701a.com but only saw the information for the 2004 Prius.
     
    #1 CraigCSJ, Aug 21, 2013
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    2,994
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Aug 21, 2013
    Robert Holt likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,751
    48,964
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    looks pretty simple, thanks usb!
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 21, 2013
  4. eliteconcept

    eliteconcept 700 mile club, top tank mpg 69.5

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    448
    186
    0
    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    oh yeah, just did mine last week. Super easy. Never did the cabin air filter before, took all of about 10 mins that included watching a 3 min video on how to do it.
     
    #4 eliteconcept, Aug 21, 2013
  5. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2004
    287
    144
    0
    Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Thank you very much. The key seems to be to start with the left side, which I was not doing.
    I noticed that the original air filter I took out was much better than the one my Toyota dealer sold me for replacement. The original had 36 folds, each a full 1"wide. My dealer said they did not have an exact replacement
     
    #5 CraigCSJ, Aug 21, 2013
  6. lensovet

    lensovet former BP Brigade 207

    Joined:
    May 23, 2009
    2,614
    495
    0
    Location:
    Burlington, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Might want to take the part number from the original and see if you can get an exact replacement online. Might even be cheaper than your dealer.
     
    #6 lensovet, Aug 25, 2013
  7. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2011
    6,972
    3,209
    1
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    #7 El Dobro, Aug 25, 2013
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    One can go to the hardware store and buy filter material and fit it to the space. This can be done both on the AC and the engine.
     
    #8 Andyprius1, Aug 25, 2013
  9. CraigCSJ

    CraigCSJ Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2004
    287
    144
    0
    Location:
    San Bernardino, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    There is no part number on the original filter that came with my Plug-In. It does say "P P cp1" on the side, but that is all. It has more folds that are 1" deep than any of the other OEM filters I saw on ebay.

    I went online (filters fast) and for about $10.00 each got six 1" custom filters rated at MERV 13. Haven't arrived yet, but hoping they work well.
     
    #9 CraigCSJ, Aug 27, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)