jimaleg

I understand the engine air filter helps the engine breath but I was wondering how important the cabin air filter is....you see my AC compressor has been out for the last 2 years so I haven't used my AC since summer of 2018. I do use the heat and defrost (which for some reason doesn't work great on rainy sticky days maybe because of the AC not working?).
Is the cabin air filter important to replace if you're not using the AC and rarely using the heat?
IF important to change, how is carbon filter the OEM replacement..that's all I see on OEM and lexus parts.
Thanks in advance.

Cavedog

Being an old fart, I remember my folks 41 Plymouth didn't have a filter. My first car, a 60 Falcon no filter and various new and used cars, over 30 of them no filter. I just breathed the same inside and out of cars. That never seemed to bother me. I understand the filters can become clogged and cause a problem. I don't know if the SC has an alert or not, but my LS does. My advise is through the filter away or punch a big hole in it and reinstall. In either case it will not clog up and it will save money.

DshngDaryl

You can get a generic cabin filter for about $10 and changing it only takes a few minutes. For these reasons I would probably just change it and not worry.

jimaleg

Thanks for the advice...I was going to buy both OEM engine and cabin air filter but now I'll go aftermarket on the cabin air filter. Any opinions on after market on the Engine filter? Thanks in advance again!

DJWLDW

Fram

Dennis

DshngDaryl

I would go OEM on the engine filter. I would buy it at the toyota dealer though,

But Rockauto offers a Denso for $13 which is hard to beat. Denso is an OEM supplier to toyota for most parts (not sure if that is the case with air filters)

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

the Denso is the exact match to the OEM. I have used both. I currently have the Denso.

DPlainview

[QUOTE=DshngDaryl;11179373]You can get a generic cabin filter for about $10 and changing it only takes a few minutes. For these reasons I would probably just change it and not worry./QUOTE]

Good info. Ordered.

DPlainview

Just finished up installing the Ecogard XC35518C cabin air filter in my '05. $12.58 on Amazon. Process is to open glove box and give those ***** a 1/4 turn. Which way you ask? Drivers side goes clockwise, and other side goes counterclockwise. They are not screws so don't try to keep turning. Once turned, pull on the ****....may have to try to wiggle it. One side of mine came easily, the other side, not so much, so I slid a very small screwdriver in there and gave it a gentle twist taking care not to mar up the glovebox. It was no issue....moved slightly so I could wiggle it off. Thats the toughest part. (When you pull the *****, make note of which way the "key" goes in. You'll see in the pics below that the key on mine was up, so that's how I reinstalled. Not sure it makes a diff, but just for info.) After that you'll see the retainer plate that pops off, and then just slide the tray with the filter out. The Ecogard appeared much nicer than the one I removed. More pleats and seals on four sides, instead of two.
Couple of pictures.

Driver side **** in closed position.

Driver side **** in open position and pulled out.

Other **** was tight, so used screwdriver to loosen.

Cover pops off. Tray with filter under this cover simply slides right out.

New Ecogard on bottom replacing KNOA on top.