I've been getting estimates on 15,000 mile service from dealers here in San Diego and they run anywhere from $190 to $240 and they all include a new cabin air filter at $60 to $70. Just how necessary is the replacement of that filter? My '93 Subaru has 140,000 miles on it and has never had any cabin air filter replaced (if it even has one). Also, even without the filter the service runs $130 to $170 which seems awfully high. The 5,000 and 10,000 mile services were only about $65. I don't have my book handy right now (wife has car) but I don't remember reading anything special about the 15,000 mile service. Finally, any thoughts on having the service done by a non-Toyota shop?
Do it yourself... http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-airconditioner-filter.htm That illustrated document shows you how. It takes less than 5 minutes and will save you a bunch of money.
The dealerships are quoting very high numbers concerning the worth of the service they are providing. Despite this, I would still definitely replace the cabin air filter as per the maintenance schedule. Keeping a clean cabin air filter reduces strain on the air conditioning system and gives you the cleanest cabin air possible. I replaced mine at 30,000 miles. If you travel on very dusty roads or in a congested urban environment and you feel that your filter needs replacing, by all means do so. However, keep in mind that the maintenance schedule doesn't call for it until 30,000 miles. I did it myself at a cost of $19.95. I just walked up and got the filter at the Toyota dealership myself. Originally they quoted $34.95, but I told them that I saw people at Priuschat paid $19.95...so they gave it to me for $19.95...simple, huh? John has attached a fantastic Prius guide, above, which will easily guide you through the installation. It's also available for review in your owner's manual. Little to no mechanical aptitude is needed; it took me no more than 2 minutes. If you still really don't want to it yourself, I'm sure most car care places can do it for you...just don't expect a genuine filter. Good luck.
The cabin air filters are available on eBay @ $11 for two. From the looks of mine at 15k I would reccomend changing them more often than the factory says. I also found that they can be cleaned and reused, blow them out with air and wash with a good detergent. They come out looking like new.
For about the same price as the Toyota filter, I bought a passive electrostatic filter at the home improvement store and can cut out six replacements, plus, I can wash the media and it's good as new. I just got a flier from local Toyota dealershits offering Cabin Air Filter Replacement, Only $44! Nope, not gonna do it!
Occasionally removing the filter between changes and getting rid of the big stuff, leaves and bugs, etc, can help.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gschoen @ Jul 14 2006, 02:09 PM) [snapback]286304[/snapback]</div> Is it just as easy to replace the engine filter? I have my 30K service coming up and I's rather save a few bucks...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(streyle @ Jul 17 2006, 03:24 PM) [snapback]287672[/snapback]</div> Not bad. There's a rubber gasket that seals the housing, but it comes with a new one so you just put the new one in the way the old one was sitting (take note as you remove) and it's over quickly...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(streyle @ Jul 17 2006, 12:24 PM) [snapback]287672[/snapback]</div> Yes it's very easy to replace or clean the engine air filter also. Open the hood and there it is, just pop open the spring clips and lift off the black plastic cover. There are no after market ones available, but there is one that will work just as good as the Toyota filter if you cut three little notches in it. Bill Merchant know the number of it, maybe he will post it? He showed me how to do it at the Prius meetup Saturday but I didn't get the number.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Jul 17 2006, 03:33 PM) [snapback]287679[/snapback]</div> NAPA discontinued their part, and it was $16 plus tax for the last Toyota one I got. Cutting the notches into the NAPA part kinda cut into the desire to get another one anyway...
For those of you who like to do the replacement yourself I do sell the factory filters on my site for $15 plus shipping. Now I know that with shipping it is not much cheaper than anywhere else but the majority of the ones I sell are part of a larger order where there is a shipping cost anyway so it is virtually nothing extra. The factory ones sure beat having to cut notches in another one to make it fit also.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Metro @ Jul 18 2006, 12:43 PM) [snapback]288283[/snapback]</div> Jesse, which filter do you sell for $15? This thread started about the cabin air filter, behind the glove box, but seems to have morphed into a discussion about the engine air filter, under the hood. I went to the Fram web site and can find no filters from them intended for the Prius. I know I clipped and installed one, but maybe it was the last one...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant @ Jul 18 2006, 04:40 PM) [snapback]288322[/snapback]</div> I was referring to the cabin filter since that was the what the thread started about. I sell the engine air filters also for even less.
For the newer members reading this I would like to recommend metro toyota as a parts supplier that has a long history of supporting Prius drivers (that ought to be good for a few % discount, eh?)
Compressed air is nice if you have it, I have it but for this PolyFiber filter I prefer the kitchen sink and a little spray soap. I have used dilute dish soap in a spray bottle and I have used Windex, both are fine then just rinse with water and shake dry... almost Zero dollars. Quick, easy and cheap.
I started using a home a/c filter that I cut to fit in the tray and it works great. It is a synthetic pleated media with a carbon layer that helps cut out any odors. The filter is $9 at wal-mart or home depot and it makes about 6 filters for me.
