ToyotaLexus

is there a better AC cabin air filter than the original Toyota filter?

the original one doesn't really filter out dust very well.... I tested
this by placing a sheet of thin filter underneath the original air filter.

when the original air filter gets dirty, the thin filter underneath also
gets quite dirty, meaning the dust has gone thorough it....

any info appreciated!

bob2200

I don't think there is an easy answer. Sure, you can make filter material from home A/C filters. But, the finer the filter material, the less air flow (more flow resistance). Much less flow could cause reduced performance and possibly icing. So, I'd recommend living with the dust.

AlexusAnja

I've always wondered if the "AC filter" is filtering exterior dust from entering the vehicle, or if it actually also filters the inside dust. You know, dust isn't just dirt, a lot of it are dead skin cells. So, if the filter is only filtering exterior air... then all that dust inside is "US" ...

Lexmex

This was when I was living in Mexico City (we don't need to mention how bad that was) and I recently changed out the filter when I was living near Tampa. I can tell you that I routinely remember that the air filter, even after I'd replace it in Mexico City, it didn't take too long for dust/pollution to set in, and it'd find a way to get through the filter. As far as human dust, interior air, I didn't see that this filter was cleaning that up, as I found myself regularly cleaning my RX on the interior and finding a lot of dust that would have gotten picked up otherwise.