Gen III Prius Cabin Filter Replacement

I remember taking ours out, and puzzling for a moment, as to which way to put it back. Maybe a label saying "UP" would help, I mean: it's not readily apparent which way the air is flowing.

Also, kinda depressing: wonder what your lungs look like, living around Chicago?

 

Well, those would be my thoughts too, but I'm new to Toyota and not sure how much I need to adhere to the "recommendations". Like you, I use compressed air to clean it and then hold it up to the light. Mine's black too, but I can still see through it just fine. I was just wondering how quickly a new one gets discolored and if just being discolored was a reason to change it.

 

Probably can't hurt to hit it with Lysol when checking the filter if not replacing it. Makes it smell good and disinfects any bacteria...

 

I certainly agree, can't help but wonder what your lungs look like living in Chicago. The way I figure a cabin filter position is that on an OEM filter the arrow showing up is exactly the way the cabin filter show be positioned, UP. On other than an OEM filter the UP indication on some filters means to position it in the direction of the airflow. I'm confused about that. I don't know in which direction the airflow is. Another reason I use OEM cabin filters.

 

Just my opinion. I don't think just being discolored is a reason to change it. Just change it if you can no longer see the sunlight through it. A Toyota parts person told me the reason my OEM filter gets dirty so fast is because of the polluted air in Chicago and that the OEM filters are better filters and they trap more dirty air particles. I'm inclined to believe him.

 

I did go to LA for a few days right before I checked the filter. I've also heard that about Toyota filters, at least as far as standard filters are concerned., but I haven't checked the specs.

 

One point not mentioned is that the filters are electrostatic in action. They don't just work like sieves.

Here is an (awfully designed) article on them:
Electrostatic Air Fliters
And another:
Mechanical and Electrostatic filters - Camfil


Frequent washing is good in that it re-activates the electrostatic charge.

 

Finally changed mine out for the first time with the toyota oem cabin air filter purchased from amazon direct.

Car has close to 30,000 miles. Not so dirty. A few leaves and somewhat grayish. I could have probably vacuumed it out but it's been a year so worth the $$.

So simple. I can't be the dealer charges so much.

 

FWIW.....the "Compressed Air" cleaning method may not be a terrific idea......I am convinced the high pressure air will "Separate" the filter fibers .......diminishing its ability to "Filter"......The "Shake & Tap" method is your friend! ......again, FWIW......

 

when I changed mine at 30k it was black. That surprised me since we don't live in a polluted area. I then came to the conclusion that
the charcoal in the filter was the cause of the black color.

 

I tried that/
in a gentle way; nevertheless, the filter just broke in parts/
it looked almost like it was brittle/
(it was in the car for 9 month/20.000 miles)
bought this one here for $10.45

 

I forgot to mention that the original cabin air filter in my Prius 2013 looked a lot thicker and seemed to have more pleats to it.

I am sure I bought a Toyota oem cabin air filter. It was in a toyota box with part#

Toyota Genuine Parts 87139-YZZ08 Cabin Air Filter
Sold by: Amazon.com LLC

The new one I installed seems flimsy and less pleats (folds) on the filter.

Other than that it is an exact fit. Did not want to pay more for the carbon version.

 

I just bought a new charcoal cabin filter. Even new, it is black.

 

this doesn't seem right to me. i got a cheap flimsy one from auto zone and i'm going to return it. someone said toyota makes three qualities, two plain and one charcoal. i don't know how to look up the part numbers though, it's very confusing. was the side marked with an arrow for airflow direction, or with an arrow an 'up'?

 

With an arrow and up. Part number is right.

 

Just bought our 2013 used w/20K miles after 1-1/2 years on the first owner. I have changed the cabin filter in our 2005 annually, so I was prepared to inspect and check the cabin filter in the 2013. Bought the OEM Toyota filter from Amazon. The filter was definitely dirty (dust and leaves), so was glad to have the new filter in. Couple of points: the Toyota filter has an UP arrow showing which direction to install it. Next, some have questioned what happens when running in Recirc mode. I noticed a flap right above the filter access panel that opens up allowing interior air through the filter, so it comes from the cabin back through the cabin filter.

 

Might be wrong with the arrow but definitely had the word UP written on it.

 

'up' is definitely oem, all the aftermarket ones i've seen say flow, because they can mark all filters the same instead of having to figure out which vehicles are up, and which are down. which is a pain for the user if you don't know which way the air moves.

i would like to find out if there are really two levels of oem quality.

 

Just curious, does it matter which way a new filter is installed? Obviously you don't want to reverse it's orientation later, but is there anything inherently directional about the filter.

FWIW, ours is at 49000 kms, still looking pretty good, due to rain forest clime? I can't get too excited about it, I mean: it's not the engine filter. That one's looking near-new too.

 

if there wasn't, why the arrow? maybe so if you clean it, you put it back in the same direction?