Cleaning blower and cabin filter

That time of year if you have a 2011 model. May apply to a couple of others.
The grille on top of firewall that permits air to enter ventilation system is poorly designed and allows leaves and other debris to get inside. Need to vacum it out periodically if leaves are a problem in your area.
Toyota redesigned the grille later, but refuses to admit it is a design problem on some vehicles.
Also, need to check the cabin filter. If there are leaves or debris on it, need to remove the filter and reach inside the blower housing with your fingers. If you feel leaves or debris, vacum it out. I attach a 6-8 inch section of old garden hose to end of shop vac hose to get into the blower housing. You can spin the blower with your hand to make sure you got all the debris.
May need to repeat in spring for stuff that falls off trees then.

 

Trash that filter....they are cheap and can harbor mold spores

 

Pull off the cowl cover.

Cut a piece of fiberglass window screen a little larger than the cover.

From the backside, use a hot glue gun to attach the screen to the cover.

Trim excess with a razor, reinstall cover.

 

Just checked mine and there was mold all over the cabin filter... My hand is too big to fit into the filter area but I used a dust buster to get what I could out. New filter time I guess.