Took my 2008 Toyota Avalon Touring in to the Toyota Dealership in Fremont, CA for it's 55,000 mile service. An hour and a half later the service manager found me waiting in the showroom to tell me the car needed the cabin air filter changed because it was extremely dirty. Never showed it me of course. I asked how much it would cost. Imagine my surprise when he told me $70.00. I said I would take care of it myself since I am a certified N.I.A.S.E. Master Mechanic.
All I had to do was order the WIX filter through Amazon.com. How much did it cost? $4.95 plus tax and shipping. How many tools did I need? One Philips head screwdriver. How long did it take me to change out the filter? 5 minutes.
Unbelievable how crooked Toyota Dealerships can be. Buyer Beware!
I'm curious....how did the Wix filter compare to the OE that you took out? In the past, I've seen a big difference in the filter material on other cars and had become leary of Wix cabin filters because of this. The last Wix we put in fit fine; however, it was quite thin and the fan noise went waaaaay up, so we returned it to Napa and got an OE. That was a few years ago on another brand (my son's Nissan), so I'm wondering how yours was for the Toy.
Thnx, in advance, for your reply.
Robert
The Following User Says Thank You to Doobiewah For This Useful Post:
I use the Fram Fresh breeze in mine. It is amazing for filtration, and sends out a smell of backing soda. It is super quiet and is about the same as far as sturdiness as the OE. I would take a look at theirs. It is about $20.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to brad_i2001 For This Useful Post:
I've tried a number of different brands (can't remember which). Only difference I've noticed was that the charcoal-impregnated style of filters removed more odor. Of course, those cost quite a bit more - which may explain why the ones offered by Toyota dealers cost so much (but the labor charge to install is very high!).
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2007 Avalon Limited - Love this car!
The Following User Says Thank You to Tom in Tacoma For This Useful Post:
I can't make a comparison regarding an OEM filter because what I took out was not an OEM filter. Actually, it had no name on it at all. The WIX filter looks exactly the same as the one I took out. Paper filter waffle style, with two plastic sides. The new filter fits perfectly, does it's job and no unusual fan noise at all speeds has been noticed. Hope that helps you Doobiewah.
Cashweek
The Following User Says Thank You to cashweek For This Useful Post:
I can't make a comparison regarding an OEM filter because what I took out was not an OEM filter. Actually, it had no name on it at all. The WIX filter looks exactly the same as the one I took out. Paper filter waffle style, with two plastic sides. The new filter fits perfectly, does it's job and no unusual fan noise at all speeds has been noticed. Hope that helps you Doobiewah.
Cashweek
That does help....thnx. When we replaced the one in my son's car, you could hear the roar of the fan. Sounds like Wix may have fixed that issue in the interim since our Avy's are so quiet, one would hear a difference for sure. I've always felt Wix put out a good oil and air filter...might try one of theirs when mine needs changing next time...or that Fram one posted earlier....just not sure if the wife would want the fresh baking powder smell..
I live in Arizona, we had to remove ours. Restricts too much air flow (tried WIX &OEM). Would take almost 20 minutes to cool car down from 120 degree days. Now cools down in less than 5 mins. Downside is it gets really dusty inside quick.
How do you know if it needs to be changed? My car cools down very fast almost instantly but when I turn on the ac it smells odd.
Sounds like you may have mold in your system..do you live in a moist climate? If so, check your filter...also, there are ways to kill the mold in your system...some just spray lysol through the intake vent with the fan on high....(careful where you spray, tho!) and others use a kit that's sold at auto parts stores that's designed to kill the mold and 'freshen' the system. Take out the filter when you do this and you can check it at the same time.
Also, in some climates, you need to keep the AC drain holes open as they can clog with slime and prevent the water from draining...resulting in that same smell...a quick clearing of the hole can help, too.
How do you know if it needs to be changed? My car cools down very fast almost instantly but when I turn on the ac it smells odd.
The best way is to simply pull the filter out. It only takes about a minute to access it. Open the glove box, press the sides inward and it will drop all the way down (stuff will fall out!). The filter is located behind the black plastic lid. Press inward (toward each other) on the black tabs and pull the lid toward you. Then you can remove the filter.
Install is the reverse with the exception of the black spring-loaded round thingy (that's its technical name) on the right side of the glove box. It needs to be guided into the opening in the dash as you raise the glove box in place.
When having my oil changed last Monday at my Toyota Dealership for $9.95, they showed me my cabin filter. Nasty. Changed over a year ago. They put a new OEM in for 19 dollars labor included. I think I got a great Toyota dealer.
Bill
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Bill in Mississippi
2008 Avalon Touring
72,000 miles and counting.
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