What's the point in having the pollen filter run for just 3 mins?

A couple of forum members maintain there's only one filter and all the "micro dust and pollen filter" button does is put the system in recirc mode and make the fan run faster for 3 minutes to clean the inside air.

 

This is correct, as I am one of "those" forum members. There is no separate pollen filter.

And, as I understand it, the charcoal filter (located in the cover of the air intake filter in the engine compartment) is there to absorb fuel vapors when the car is turned off.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it...

 

Okay...just pulled some info from the Owner's Manual.

Says the button in question (which I erroneously though was for the Plasmacluster -- even after reading the manual once) is for the pollen filter. I'm assuming this is the one behind the glovebox?

This operates for 3 min under recirc, unless it's cold out -- then operation is limited to one minute due to potential fogging issues.

The Plasmacluster is inoperation whenever the blower motor is on.

Pix for clix:

 

I found info on a Lexus salesman's tech briefing web site that explained (for Lexus IS--and it has the same "button") the difference is that regular recirculate still has 20% outside air, but Micro filter has no outside air. That would explain your experience, I think.

 

Mercedes is actually a carbon filter, a separate button and filter but with no timer, and described as such (had 2 of those) but Lexus and Toyota have this pollen/dust button that seems to be hindered in the translation from Japanese. On the Lexus, it says it will remove pollen from the car--I think they mean from the air. I think in general cars allow about 20% in, even on recirculate in order to address CO concerns.

 

kinda disappointing that we still get 20% outside air when on recirc... at least ALL outside air is filtered a little.

 

With the Gen II Prius this is a dealer settable option. The default is for some outside air during recirculation, but the dealer can change it for full recirculation. I wonder if it can be changed on the Gen III?

Tom

 

that would be nice. too many times we get stuck behind poorly maintained diesels, etc.

on Sat, my son woke up with labored breathing. we took him in and he spent the night suffering thru asthma treatments which has now made us more aware of the air quality he is getting since he has never exhibited any breathing issues before and he is VERY ACTIVE. hopefully the cause is environment since we have gone thru weather 30º below normal with humidity very low as well.

on the freeway, i always drive with vent closed expect for the momentary bouts of defrost (this is the reason why i take the extra time to constantly toggle is on and off) due to exhaust issues of other cars... ya, i know... pretty anal, but that is the way it is.

 

In my experience, all cars have some outside air even in recirc mode. I think the idea is that if there is a carbon monoxide or some other leak to the cabin, there will still be some fresh air getting in. Always made sense to me.

I will admit that having the three-minute filter is good for keeping and/or getting bad smells, etc., out of the cabin.
I'm not sure I agree with the poster who said this means the feature "works as advertised". I'd be interested in hearing from people with bad pollen allergies (fortunately I'm not one of them) if this really reduces their allergies. Given that pollen is not generally localized like dead skunk smell or even smoke, I'm not sure whether this device effectively reduces pollen woes . . .

 

ok, a bit of a overpressure is good... i guess. seems to me that the BIGGEST source of CO would come from OUTSIDE the Pri than inside...