A/C Filter - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

VVT-i Owns · 08-24-2003, 08:10 PM

Wow, i took apart the Glove Compartment of my gen5 the other day (fixing stereo) and decided to have a look at the AC Filter.

I was suprised that motha fucker is dirtier than Intake Air Filter.

Toyota Recommend changing it every 2 oil changes (8000KM).

I have 34000KM and have yet to change it....guess i have to now

jjthenovice · 08-24-2003, 08:32 PM

Wait'll you see the price. I was at my Toyota dealer and checked on the price. Would you beleive 45 bucks!

VVT-i Owns · 08-24-2003, 08:47 PM

45 Bucks USD???? !@@$!@$@#@

Thats like 3 Air Filters

denuder · 10-15-2003, 09:49 AM

The best price for the cabin air filter is $8.93 from forparts.com
The only other filter I was able to find is from purolator. Although neither is an OEM part the one from forparts.com is better, I have tried both.

http://www.olyonline.com/Toyota/toyota_catalog.htm

97&02camryleI4 · 11-15-2003, 10:00 AM

What is the consequence if I don't change the A/C cabin filter? I have 22,500 miles on my 5gen already and I think it was suggested to change at 15k or something like that. Is that any difference between the OEM A/C filter and the one from forparts.com? Thanks.

denuder · 11-15-2003, 06:27 PM

The filter will have to be replaced at sometime because it will degrade if left in long enough (a long time). Of course it all depends on how much you use your air conditioner (heat, cold, fan). Most people like myself change the filter because alot of debris builds up on the filter (dirt, leaves, etc) and it's nice to get the stuff out so it won't stink up the cabin air. The great feature of the filter is that you won't have to drop the fan out to clean the housing from all the crap that falls into the HVAC system. The filter catches all the little stuff.

Changing the filter is a breeze and plus I did the hard work finding an alternative source for the filter at a resonable price compared to the dealer ($35!). Click on the link above.

denuder · 11-15-2003, 06:30 PM

there really isn't much difference between the OEM and the one from the link above. It's a flimsy filter compared to an engine filter. In my experience the one from forparts is way better in price compared to the purolator filter available from autozone or parts america. Those guys charge almost $20 without shipping.

eecc · 11-15-2003, 07:56 PM

how do u access the filter to check how dirty it is?

denuder · 11-15-2003, 10:04 PM

open front passenger door, open glove box, remove one screw from pivot arm, press inward on both sides at the top of the compartment to release the tabs, lower glove box door, and access to the filter is acheived. You will see a plastic tray with two tabs on the sides, press and slide the tray out.

Stealth · 11-15-2003, 10:10 PM

is there one on my car? 1995?

97&02camryleI4 · 11-16-2003, 10:37 AM

I think they only started putting the A/C cabin filter starting with the 5gens but hey I can be wrong. I don't have it on my 1997 LE.

Lychee · 11-17-2003, 06:30 PM

i have a 98 camry LE so would i have a cabin filter?

jjthenovice · 11-17-2003, 06:55 PM

No.

MCTOY · 11-19-2003, 05:15 PM

VVT-i Owns,
I am a heating and cooling contractor in several states here in the south. Go ahead and change it a couple times a year if you use your system much at all. The cheaper ones are fine as long as you change them! They are flimsy'er because you cant restrict the air flowing over the evaporator coil too much or it will ice up. Anything (Including dirty filters) that severely reduce the airflow across the coil can cause the icing problem. Indications: very cold air right at the vents, but not much of it, and the car still feels hot inside. While you have it opened up, take a cloth with some bleach/water on it and wipe all the surfaces you can reach inside the housing. This will help alot to get rid of the "Dirty sock" smell. (Mold)

PS: This is good practice on your home A/C as well.

MCTOY