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Recommended/preferred cabin air filter brand?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by herqulees, Feb 10, 2018.

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  1. herqulees

    herqulees Junior Member

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    As the Toyota dealership finishes up my cars oil change and maintenance they're telling me it's time for a new cabin air filter. As that's not covered under the lifetime maintenance I told them not to replace it (because I'm sure there's a better filter than the $49 Toyota one). So I was surprised I couldn't really find any info online on aftermarket air filters. Sure I can find plenty of them but I was wondering about peoples experience with them.
    Is there a brand you guys prefer to use? My fiance has bad allergies so I'm looking for the best filtration, odor removal would be a close second.
     
    #1 herqulees, Feb 10, 2018
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    most people like cheap filters because they're cheap. i prefer the oem because it fits perfectly, and is clearly marked with air flow direction. they can be had for $25. or so if you search on line.
    i also prefer the charcoal which filters out odors a bit, but they cost a bit more as well.
     
    #2 bisco, Feb 10, 2018
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Pull it out and have a look at it. Maybe you can tap it off, vacuum a bit and reinstall.

    (This could be my west coast perspective showing: maybe Tenessee's a lot dustier. For sure check it's condition for yourself first, though.)
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Feb 10, 2018
  4. fopoku2k2

    fopoku2k2 Member

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    Been wondering about the myself for quite some time. Would also love to know what others use

    Mi A1 ?
     
    #4 fopoku2k2, Feb 10, 2018
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Sounds like you need to look for another fiance instead, just kidding. Google should have directed you to ebay instead, Toyota OEMs can be had for $19.99 each. I have auto 1 tech, 3 pack for $18. Dimension and # of pleats are the same its sturdyness as OEM. Solar panel vents are always enable in mine so they are changed every 2 months due to dusty environment.
     
    #5 Grit, Feb 10, 2018
  6. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Bosch HEPA, Mann-Hummel Frecious Plus, or FRAM Fresh Breeze.
     
    #6 jzchen, Feb 10, 2018
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2018
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  7. herqulees

    herqulees Junior Member

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    Anyone have experience with WIX? I just remembered that is a highly recommended brand for engine air filters on my Jeep and pretty much any heavy duty vehicle including tractor trailers. It was the only brand we bought when servicing tractor trailers at a shop I used to work at.
    They have two models for the Prius, 24483 (standard) and 24511 (charcoal).
     
    #7 herqulees, Feb 10, 2018
  8. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    I didn't consider WIX, because of HEPA, polyphenol, and baking soda, respectively. (Haven't bought a Bosch yet, just recently learned about it)...
     
    #8 jzchen, Feb 10, 2018
  9. danlatu

    danlatu Senior Member

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    Carbon works nice too. I am using the fresh breeze in both our prii.

    Screen Shot 2018-02-10 at 8.18.35 PM.png
     
    #9 danlatu, Feb 10, 2018
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  10. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    I also drive with someone with bad allergies and asthma so I wanted the best quality cabin filter that I could find. I went with a K&N cabin filter, you can buy it for ~$40 here. There's also an optional cleaning kit for more money. The filter is lifetime, so it never needs to be replaced. You just wash it every year or so, depending on condition and miles.

    The K&N is more solid and heavier than the OEM. If you purchase a higher quality and more expensive home air filter, it will be more solid and will filter out more stuff from the air. IMO, the concept is similar with a car's cabin air filter.
     
    #10 MelonPrius, Feb 10, 2018
  11. herqulees

    herqulees Junior Member

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    I stay away from K&N, mainly since they're the poorest filtering engine air filter company still on market. I shake my head every time I see a lifted pickup with a K&N sticker on the window.
    My other reason... I'd rather pull the filter out, put a new one in, and be done. Not saying it's difficult to wash a simple filter, just that with how cheap they are I'd rather swap it and be done (without having drying time)
    So they might have a very good cabin air filter, I'm just not a fan of the brand.
     
    #11 herqulees, Feb 12, 2018
  12. herqulees

    herqulees Junior Member

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    I've seen a couple recommendations now for the Fram Fresh Breeze so I'm going to order one off Amazon and give it a try. No matter the brand these filters are cheap so if it in the unlikely circumstance Fram doesn't do a good job (I doubt I'd notice but if my fiancee has a sneezing fit on her drive to work I'll be first to be informed) I'll order a different one, probably that Bosch HEPA, and update everyone.
    Slightly OT, is this filter always in use or is it only in use when you press the filtration button on the climate control?
     
    #12 herqulees, Feb 12, 2018
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I would think air is going through it anytime air is being actively moved into the cabin.

    I really categorize these with drier sheets, pillow shams and so on. Once the weather warms, we just shut the vent system right off, roll the windows down as needed.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Feb 12, 2018
  14. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    As far as the engine air filter, you and I are in agreement.

    However, with the cabin air filter, you can easily do a side by side comparison at a Pep Boys. The employee will let you compare the two and you can feel the difference in weight and judge if it's worth the extra money.
     
    #14 MelonPrius, Feb 12, 2018
  15. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    The Toyota -YZZ20 filters are relatively inexpensive and decent. But I prefer the charcoal ones from NPN for the same price.
     
    #15 The Critic, Feb 13, 2018
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