Has anyone else noticed that opening and changing the Gen III engine air filter doesn't seem as intuitive as it was on the Gen II? Apparently, when the time comes to change the filter, if you want to do it yourself, it appears that you'll have to actually loosen (or even remove) some hoses. I checked with the "do it yourself" portion of the user's manual, and it doesn't even discuss changing the engine air filter -- note: at the same time it does give a good insruct for changing the cabin filter (very surprising) . Am I correct in assuming that changing this filter is now more difficult? Has anyone done it yet, and can give direction on the procedure? _____________________________________ Mark Model V w/ATP, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Dark Grey Interior
I didn't change mine. but you need no tools to change it. I have removed mine a few times. You just need to unsnap all 4 of the clips then pull it towards you and then lif it up some to remove the air filter.
no aftermarkets i can find. The Toyota one is still cheaper though. $14, Made in Japan. Can't go wrong with that.
Mine looked relatively clean after 1 year and 22K miles, but like others said, it was $15 from Toyota, I am not going to cheap out on my engine for $15.
My car is almost at 15K miles, so I was considering changing the engine air filter and the cabin air filter (assuming they need replacement after a visual inspection). I was amazed by the price variation. Here's the prices I got from a handful of local dealers: cabin / engine 24.41 / 22.80 37.19 / 21.40 45.74 / 27.03 20.00 / 21.41 42.88 / 26.38 For the prices that were way out of line, I mentioned this to the parts guy, who double checked and confirmed them. So where did you guys get an engine air filter for $14 or $15?
changed mine without using any tools.... by the way I'm using Tom's air filter now... (ordered it from Japan) For New PRIUS (ZVW30) Air Cleaner "Super...
I show list as $21.41 and avaiable at $15.52 from Toyota Parts at toyotapartszone.com: Toyota Accessories, Toyota Auto Parts Plus shipping. About $25 shipped to California.
If it looks clean and you have no reduction in mpg, dont worry. a dirty air filter doesn't mean dirt is getting into your engine, it just means less oxygen is getting in. The filter is designed to block all particles of a certain size, regardless of saturation. Its like a net, the more clogged it gets, the more it blocks, not lets through. Any toyota dealer parts website... These are their online prices. My dealer, camelback toyota, sells parts online and allows you to pick them up at the dealer parts dept for the online price. The MSRP from Toyota for the part is $18. Those dealers you called are ripping you off.
You said it yourself. The older it is, the less it is going to flow. I am not going to rob my engine of power for 18 dollars. The car is already lacking power, i need everything i can get. i paid 18.16 taxed for 22600 miles, i am okay with it.
The economic, ecological AND performance option is to go K&N. My '04 has used one for over 100K miles and my new '10 will get one at 20K miles
