The Act. Carbon ones are helpful in cars that allow smokers.

 

It doesn't do anything for smokers inside the car. It's to absorb odors (fuel, diesel, etc smell) from the outside air, such as a busy industrial area with lots of traffic. Recirculate bypasses the cabin filter

 

I am still on stock, I just pick whatever is cheap that has carbon from RockAuto in the past. Beck and Arney is not bad.

 

wix

 

Ebay reusable/washable for $20.

 

I use denso filters from Rock auto. I just buy engine and cabin filters for all my cars at the same time to save on shipping

 

K&N I think this is the third toyota is been used in so far

 

I have a 2019 hatch, but many parts are shared with the 2020 sedan. I plan to use a Bosch HEPA filter once they start manufacturing it in large quantities, as its listed to fit on bosch's website, but I cant find the model number for sale anywhere. The one that supposedly fits the 12th gen Corollas according to bosch is 6092C. I live in the country so I drive down dusty gravel roads almost every day, so a fine particle HEPA filter is what I'm after. Although it will probably restrict airflow, It will help prevent my cabin from filling with dust when someone passes me at 100km/h. Here is the link to bosh's website if anybody is interested.

 

Bosch HEPA filters are horrible.

1) they have a chemical smell out of the box, that takes time to dissipate
2) restrict air flow more than stock
3) they weren't kidding about the change intervals, iirc, 11,000 miles, and I had it at 10,000 miles in the summer and wondered why the AC sucked, it was the Bosch HEPA filter

 

Toyota Corolla Cabin Air Filter 2002-2018 – Cabin Air Filters

cabinairfilters.com.au

They say replace yearly but I figure every two years will do.

 

I have some concern with the filters that are impregnated with baking soda or activated carbon.
My worry is that small particulates may get released from the filter and into the air stream.

 

I thought "all" air goes through the filter, even recirculate?

 

It sure does... Fresh or recirculated air flows through the fan only and always after being admitted through the cabin air filter. Outside or inside air cannot flow through fan without first flowing through filter which is on the fan's inlet!

 

Lots of awesome replies, but still uncertain which one to get.

I got my Corolla in may of this year and I have this awful smell already in the car when I turn my air conditioning on.

 

I just picked up a "carbonated" one from RockAuto... It was under $10, but I bought a bunch of other parts so that the shipping was "free"...

I don't use recirc mode with AC, that creates the mildew smell in the cabin. Yes, it takes slightly longer for the cool air to blow but avoids the smelly cabin in the long run...

To get rid of the smell, here is what I do:

• Get a can of Lysol spray, with straw if possible
• With car off, pull out the glove box, and remove filter with tray
• Through the opening, look to see the evaporator, and spray the Lysol directly onto it, liberally (wear a mask)
• Turn the car on and turn the AC point it to feet on in fresh air mode (not recirc)
• Spray some more of Lysol onto the condenser. When out of spray, turn the car off, install a clean filter