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2011 cabin air filter replacement

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by sbdray, Oct 2, 2011.

  1. sbdray

    sbdray Junior Member

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    2011 Prius
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    III
    Can someone tell me how to remove the lower glove box on a 2011 Prius so that I can get to the cabin air filter? I've seen the YouTube videos for Gen II replacements and saw the instructions in the 2010 owner's manual (page 457), but the 2011's lower glove box appears to be more stubborn to remove.

    First of all, this seemingly simple DIY job is no longer listed as a DIY job in the 2011 owner's manual. Maybe there's a reason for that, as the lower glove box's sides don't seem flexible enough to squeeze inwards, especially the left side. The left side of the glove box is a lot thicker and stiffer than the right side. I did manage to get the right side's retaining tab to come out, as well as unhinging the bottom right of the glove box, but I can't see how to undo the left side without applying enough force that I'd be afraid of breaking something.

    Did Toyota change the glove box design and remove the DIY instructions from the 2011 manual so that they can make easy money changing this filter for you? Surely someone reading this forum has done this as a DIY. Help, please!

    Thanks!
     
    #1 sbdray, Oct 2, 2011
    1 person likes this.
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Can't imagine there would be any difference but it will be interesting to find out. I would be surprised if any 2011 owners have even looked at the filter yet.
     
    #2 spiderman, Oct 2, 2011
  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I just did this today as part of my 20,000 mile service on my 2010. I found that removing the damper off its mount and then squeezing hard on the right side first (harder than I've found on other cars) and unlocking that side then gave me enough clearance to slide the left side out without squeezing it. YMMV

    BTW, I have the solar pkg and, boy, that filter was ready to be changed. I got it at walmart cf10285 for $18.95.
     
    #3 fotomoto, Oct 2, 2011
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  4. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    The procedure for removing the glovebox door on a 2011 is still the same.
     
    #4 El Dobro, Oct 2, 2011
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  5. sbdray

    sbdray Junior Member

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    Ok, I'll give it another shot. Thanks everyone!
     
    #5 sbdray, Oct 3, 2011
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Changing it on my 2006 was easy but the 2010 is real a PITA. I'm not sure I'll look at it again so my advice is to not bother.
     
    #6 JimN, Oct 3, 2011
  7. sbdray

    sbdray Junior Member

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    I tried it again and was successful this time. After unhinging the bottom right of the glove box, I was able to work the left side loose with a bit of effort. Following fotomoto's advice above, I tugged slightly upwards and towards the back of the car instead of having to squeeze the left side. Once that was free, the rest was a snap. I had no trouble putting the glove box back in either. Thanks, everyone!
     
    #7 sbdray, Oct 3, 2011
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  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    The plastic is a bit stiff, but if you can get one side off and keep wiggling the other side, the glove box will come out eventually.
     
    #8 The Critic, Oct 4, 2011
  9. DonVentura

    DonVentura SoCal Prius Driver

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    Thank you all for the info, I'm getting ready to change mine in my 2010!
     
    #9 DonVentura, Oct 4, 2011
  10. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    I just changed both air filters in my 2009 last week - I got both from Amazon for just under $20. Getting the glove box out definitely was trickier than expected - I really had to yank on it - to the point that I was worried about breaking off something. There really was only one way that it could come out so I just trusted the instructions and pulled.
     
    #10 stevemcelroy, Oct 4, 2011
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  11. quantumslip

    quantumslip Member

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    i probably scratched the outside of my globe box trying to remove it when i changed out the cabin filter but no one would ever see that in normal operation, and it sure beats paying the dealer $30 in labor to do that.
     
    #11 quantumslip, Oct 4, 2011
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  12. LJW

    LJW Junior Member

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    $30? My dealer recommended replacing the cabin air filter at the 20K maintenance... For the low, low price of $89.95. Considering the street price of the OEM Toyota part is about $20, they charge $70 for about 2 minutes of work. Nice line of business!
     
    #12 LJW, May 3, 2012
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  13. KateBird22

    KateBird22 New Member

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    I am a new (2nd) owner of a fabulous 2010 Gen II. Thanks to this wonderful website, I successfully replaced the Engine Air Filter and Cabin Air Filter today! Total cost: $32.00. Total time: 5 minutes(?). I would have paid a dealer or mechanic who knows how much? Thank you!
     
    #13 KateBird22, Jun 28, 2014
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  14. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    Just remove the damper on the right side and squeeze both sides of the glove box in. The plastic is stiff but squeeze hard an eventually one side will come loose. The box will go back in a lot easier than it came out. Just have a new filter ready to put in. After you go through that exercise may as well replace it regardless.
     
    #14 Okinawa, Jun 28, 2014
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  15. KateBird22

    KateBird22 New Member

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    Oops
     
    #15 KateBird22, Jun 28, 2014
  16. KateBird22

    KateBird22 New Member

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    Oops again. I own a 2010 Gen III, not II. I am so new...
     
    #16 KateBird22, Jun 28, 2014
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