After spending months reading this forum prior to getting our Prius, we ordered a filter(Toyota brand) for $15 from ebay as it has been stated many times that the Prius doesn't come with the air filter from the factory. So imagine my surprise when I went to install it this morning only to find that there is a filter already in the slot. Guess I have a spare for the future.
Really? I've been on here about 3 months, I never saw this. Guess I better go check mine, I've had it month. Hope that the filter is IN there!
I suspect that it was a thread where someone considered the filter insufficient to the extent that they stated it was no filter. I have a fuzzy recollection of seeing something like that and had to reread parts of the thread before I realized the person was complaining about the quality of the filter rather than its actual presence.
Add me to the list of those who have never seen it reported the car lacks a factory cabin air filter. That makes no sense. Even if someone had tried to claim that in another thread, it would have been quickly and convincingly discredited ... as it is here.
Yes, all Prius are equipped with the cabin air filter. However, the OP will probably find that the cabin air filter will be dirty enough to change after 15 - 20K miles.
All modern cars with air conditioning unit come with air filters built in. It costs small bucks and prevents major problems even during warranty period. So it makes sense not just to the end users, but also to car manufacturers. Plus they get some revenue for selling it as a spare part being replaced during normal car maintenance.
The main purpose of the cabin filter is to reduce moldy smell complains from the AC system by filtering out mold spores and other allergens for better comfort for people with allergies.
$15 dollars for a cabin filter sounds like a good deal. I've checked around my local area and Advance Auto sells Purolator cabin filter for $26.00 and Toyota dealership sells the cabin filter for $26.00 as well.
