Cabin Air Filter

This might be a stupid question but can someone please tell me why we have to have a cabin air filter? Would the system work with out a filter? They never had filters in the olden days. Just think its point less to keep replacing a filter that really doesn't do anything. If you drive with your windows down that air isn't filtered. Sorry guys just think the whole idea is point less for the cost of a cheaply made filter.

 

It keeps a lot of crap out of the fan. Leaves, twigs and what ever else flies in through the inlet.

 

Thanks Chris I appreciate your reply. Yeah it dos help with keeping the dust out .

 

Very true didn't think of it keeping the leaves and twigs out of the fan . Very good point!! Thanks for your thoughts.

 

Yeah I did and it has one . I checked it a few months back and seemed fine and checked again this week end and its getting close to needing changed. I was like WTF !

 

There's a thread on here about making one that you can clean yourself and not have to buy them.

 

2nd gen Tacoma's had the slot for the cabin filter, but Toyota didn't install them at first (may have been a supply problem). Starting with the 2006 model year (or possibly late in the 2005 production) the cabin filter was provided.


Or, previous owner removed and did not replace.


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

 

In my opinion, any vehicle with A/C should have a cab air filter, as the condensation that forms on the cold evaporator core collects dust. In time, evaporators can be completely blocked by the build-up or dirt, severly restricting the airflow and reducing the efficiency of the HVAC system. Yes, there are lots of older vehicles with A/C that do not have filters, but not all modern advancements are a bad thing. HVAC systems without filters collect some pretty nasty stuff and when combined with moisture, mold and bacteria don't do anything to improve the smell from your HVAC vents.

 

just changed mine, cant believe the dealership was going to charge me 60.00 bucks for that crap.

 

Holy shiat. $60 is ridiculous. Did you laugh at them. I would have.

 

...it takes 30 seconds. If you go slow.

 

A cabin air filter is a plus for allergy sufferers. Since I just bought the truck in October, I have not had a chance to see how much it helps. I only roll down my window when I back into a parking place. If the filter reduces the amount of dust inside the vehicle, that would reduce the amount of cleaning I have to do.

 

Yep, Toyota didn't add them until sometime in 2006; my 2005 didn't have one. After finding pine straw in my fan making noise I added one and have kept one in there since. It does help for all of the reasons already mentioned and it's especially nice during allergy season. There's a link on TW.com somewhere for a company that sells them for like $3/each; I bought a handful and just put them in as needed. If I can find the place I'll add a link.

 

Got a Fram filter at China Mart for about $17 and with only 13K miles it needed changing. The air smells fresher now as well. They're too cheap to not change them out regularly.

 

Another stupid question here , I want to buy and install ,a regular air filter and cabin air filter fr my 12' (39000miles) frm say wally or autozone i also dont want to pay that dealership price,anyway if I do install thm will the dealership say something like its not a Toyota part and will void warranty??

 

Get that in writing and take it to the attorney general.

That is a violation of the Magnuson-Moss Act.

You can buy the cabin filters from Walmart that are treated with baking soda, or you can get the Fram filters that are impregnated with activated charcoal.
I picked up a box of 4 of the Fram filters for around $50 on Amazon a while back.

 

Depends on where you park.

Your intake is below the windshield.

I park in a garage at work, and back into my space at home, generally not under any trees.

My cabin filters last 30k or so.

My wife can clog one in 10k because she ALWAYS parks in the shade... under trees.

 

Phhhtt! Might as well just stretch some girly nylons over it! Vacuum the dirt out of it and reuse or just buy them from Rockauto for like 3-4 bucks instead of the 20 vatozone wants.