MAINTENANCE: CABIN AIR FILTER AND A/C DEODORIZING & REFRESHING

2018 TRD OFF ROAD DCSB A/T CEMENT, I'm the 3rd owner of this unit.
Smell was of "musty, old, mold" so I checked the cabin filter behind the glove box.


This is what I found:



So off I go to O'Reilly Auto and purchased this for around $10US:


Spray half the can to the outside vents:


Then the other half into all vents inside the cab:

DO NOT REPLACE CABIN FILTER WHILE DOING THIS STEP! It will go on after the whole procedure to avoid the deodorizer being filtered. Replace the cover to the cabin air filter behind the glove box without the filter media.

Turn on the truck and run the A/C full blast and with re-circulation OFF for 15 minutes, meaning air should be coming from the outside in. DO NOT STAY IN THE VEHICLE DURING THE PROCESS! Windows should be closed as well. After the 15mins, open all windows and run for another 10 minutes more so the deodorizer can clear from the cabin.

Finally, turn off the truck and open the glove box and insert new cabin air filter media. I used the MicroGard HEPA filter Part Number 3052HP. I labeled mine with date and miles (force of habit).

Shout out to @wi_taco on this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wi_taco-2015-trd-or-build.677890/#post-24189463



It will take a day or two for the deodorizer smell to fully leave the A/C vents and ductwork, but it works. Especially if you use the HEPA filter media.

For good measure, I also used this under the driver's seat:


Life is good now. No funky, moldy/musty stank!

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions!

*** EDIT 03 JULY 2023 ***

TOYOTA'S PREFERRED METHOD:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb0fDfzV41I

 

I can give you some data regarding the efficacy of HEPA cabin air filters. For two years in a row now, the Seattle area has had pollution alerts due to forest fire smoke at the surface. In my 2019 Tacoma, the Toyota OEM cabin filter did essentially nothing to reduce PM2.5 concentration, i.e. the concentration of particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in size that presents the greatest health threat associated with forest fire smoke. I installed a

$18 Bosch 6033C HEPA Cabin Air Filter - Compatible With Select Dodge Dart, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Tacoma

Bosch 6033C HEPA cabin air filter, and running the AC in re-circulation mode reduced the PM2.5 concentration from 50 ug/m^3 to 2 ug/m^3 in three minutes! I used a handheld PM2.5 analyzer. I had exactly the same result with my XTerra which had a Fram FreshBreeze filter before I installed the HEPA filter. They say the HEPA filters restrict airflow more than the standard filters which may be true. My impression was that airflow was adequate, but I didn't analyze that quantitatively. I put in the HEPA filters for only as long as the air is bad (only two days so far this year, thankfully, but over a week last year) then swap them back out for the standard filters until the next smoke alert. I always figured that the cabin air filter was just some BS marketing scam, but the last two years have made a believer out of me, at least regarding the HEPA filters. I guess the standard filters are good at keeping leaves out.

 

Good idea. I like to use Ozium Spray instead of A/C Pro.

 

I just got my Tacoma, so I haven’t replaced mine yet, but on my Tundra I put a K&N washable cabin filter in it. It pays for itself by the second time you change it. Obviously it’s not a HEPA, bit works really good and saves a lot of money. Just wanted to share that, I had no idea they made them for cabin filters

 

On my 2nd gens using a hepa filter type filter restricted air flow enough it would actually collapse the filter

 

This is what I use and have for years in my trucks.
Zeolite mesh bags which absorbs all odors and keeps the truck smelling natural. I still change the cabin filter. I have one under my passenger side seat and they work great. No chemicals or hazardous materials.
The Zeolite bag can be recharged after a few months by laying it in the sun for a few hours.

 

@IRONCLADBARREL and @Jeffch you both have installed your filters wrong. The hard sides should be on the sides, not facing you when you install them. The filter should be flat and not bent or buckled up. Take the filter out and rotate 90 deg and reinstall.


Other then that. Nice write up for deodorizing the HVAC.

 

Damm just assumed writing should be out?
It wasn’t bowed when installed and the non hepas never bowed on me.
Next ones I’ll change it up.

 

Look at the second picture you posted. That is the correct way.

 

Anyone else have inner filter door, thin rubber flap fall apart? Found pieces of it on passenger floor.

 

I only posted the one pic been doing them wrong for years now!

 

Sorry, the second pic the OP posted. 2G and 3G go in the same way.

 

No worries good info!

be interested to see how the dealer has mine in the used rig I just purchased?

 

It doesn't help that the filter is nearly square and will actually go in either way, lol. I did the same thing last time I replaced mine, just not paying attention. I realized it after my last dusty trip when I was cleaning stuff up. But if you look closely inside the box, you can see that there are shelves for the hard sides to sit on on each side.

But good write up, now I need to do mine since my filter was in wrong.

 

$37 GENUINE TOYOTA APPROVED S.E.T. SERVICERITE AC EVAPORATOR REFRESH KIT 00053-00008

https://www.amazon.com/GENUINE-APPR...68016079&sprefix=toyota+ac+ref,aps,150&sr=8-1

$18 nextzett 96110515 Klima-Cleaner Air Conditioner Cleaner - 10 fl oz

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Z2MK...FtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM#customerReviews

$15 Lubegard 96030 Kool-It Evaporator and Heater Foam Cleaner

https://www.amazon.com/Lubegard-960...693-a8f7-637f07ce86be&pd_rd_i=B0007PHD0S&th=1

 

A %&** mouse chewed mine.... My truck is hopefully getting mouse proofed today. Adding a piece of metal screen over the intake hole, under the black moulding plastic piece on the windshield.. They been getting into my cabin air filter when my truck sits.

 

I hate mice, in my Tundra I found a few turds in the bottom of my air cleaner box. They chewed partially on my filter foam too

 

Good info! Just to be clear, is the correct installation like the first photo (pleats parallel to the dash) or the second photo (pleats parallel with the doors)?

TIA!

 

Wonder if the OP had a flood damaged vehicle....that’s one of the tell-tale signs.

 

I exchanged the OEM cabin filter for a K&N cabin air filter (

$50 VF2005 K&N Cabin Air Filter: Premium, Washable, Clean Airflow to your Cabin Air Filter Replacement: Designed For Select 1999-2022 TOYOTA/PONTIAC/SUBARU (Tacoma, Voltz, Vibe, GT, Liberty), VF2005

VF2005). Will save $$$ in the long run ...