Tried to check the air filter but found something strange!

Today I tried to check my air filter and found that it was not easy to access! Anyway, when I finally was able to remove the top cover I found that there were what looked like 2 filters! One on the bottom portion of the filter box and another on the top portion of the filter box. The top one wouldn't budge at all, it's really jammed in there while the bottom one was very easy to take out. It was white and had pretty large folds in it.

Isn't there supposed to be one filter? I bought this car used, so is it possible that this is some aftermarket 2 piece filter? For those of you who have replaced your filter, any ideas?

Or someone wasn't paying attention and jammed a 2nd filter in there and it ended up going into the upper air box. No one before you ever looked to take it out. ????

all toyota/scion vehicles have 1 and only1 filter unless u got the new LS460 those have dual filters.......anywho whoever had/worked on the car before is a dumbass. go to ur toyota dealer and they should be able to remove/install the correct single filter at no charge at least thats what we charge at libertyville toyota.

thats not a filter in the top of the box thats hows its designed. Trust me you can only fit one air filter in that tiny air box

I used to able to open the box to change the engine air filter but not anymore. I forgot how and it is kind of hard to open it. Any guide available?

I don't know of any guide, but it is really simple to open the box. I will take a few pics during daytime tomorrow and post it here.

Today I tried to check my air filter and found that it was not easy to access! Anyway, when I finally was able to remove the top cover I found that there were what looked like 2 filters! One on the bottom portion of the filter box and another on the top portion of the filter box. The top one wouldn't budge at all, it's really jammed in there while the bottom one was very easy to take out. It was white and had pretty large folds in it.

Isn't there supposed to be one filter? I bought this car used, so is it possible that this is some aftermarket 2 piece filter? For those of you who have replaced your filter, any ideas?

That should be the charcoal canister filter, don't go ripping it out just yet. It looks a lot thinner, kinda like a K&N filter? It's supposed to be in there tight, so don't go crazy on it.

That should be the charcoal canister filter, don't go ripping it out just yet. It looks a lot thinner, kinda like a K&N filter? It's supposed to be in there tight, so don't go crazy on it.

yep that filter is to catch any gases the get into the intake when the car is off.. so it doesnt let any gas vapors into the atmospheric.. once you start the car.. it wil pull those gases back into the car..
alot of perfermance cars have them and people have taken them out for more power

oh thats normal..just change the one on the bottom and ure done!

I had noticed the same issue with 2 filters when I installed my cold air intake.