Cabin air filter

I just went to o Riley. Be careful. Save your receipt. Wix 24483 and some other 3684 model actually do not fit the prius prime tray.

The ridged and bendable sides are reversed. And it won't go into the tray.

 

OEM Toyota Part:

Air Filter - Toyota (87139-28020) | Toyota Parts

Air Filter - Toyota (87139-28020)
$15.74

 

Mice!

I just checked my 2017 Prime's cabin air filter and found evidence of mice, not a nest just the telltale chewed acorns, insulation bits, and small turds. Having just went through hell dealing with the same in my Tacoma truck and finally last week - getting around to installing a home-brew hardware cloth grill on all the air intakes/vents, I'm being hypervigilant! As it is, on a 2006 Tacoma there is a veritable "open barn door", sorta Grand Canyon leading directly from the outside to the filter - at least when the recirculation is off. It's under the black plastic grill work under the windshield. So now I wonder what the Prime's got under there? An external inspection seems to indicate major entry points might be lurking in this grillwork.

I dislike the idea of even partially dismantling a 3-year-old car, but I know what damage the little buggers can do - if you let them.

Does anyone have experience removing the exterior, black plastic grillwork directly beneath and overlapping the windshield? Does the Toyota Technical Manual (the one you pay for per day) have diagrams and/or parts explosions showing the construction and disassembly of this area? Perhaps someone has already explored this area?

Last week I managed to successfully tear down and reassemble the same area on the Tacoma. Various hints, pictures and 'ripping yarns' I found on-line were definitely a big help! My goal is to find out what the Prime's mouse/rodent defenses are and take appropriate action.

And to share what I find out. Perhaps there are other rural Prime owners who have similar concerns?

 

Watch @NutzAboutBolts video on spark plug change, linked in pinned thread in 3rd gen maintenance forum.

I put 1/4" rodent screen over cabin air intake, not too hard. Used self-tapping screws.

Put the same material at end of engine air intake too, secured with some copper wire twist ties through drilled holes.

 

How does that relate to the Prime?

 

Not much.

 

searched on parts.toyota.com, got the following results,
871390R030
8713958010
87139YZZ37
8713928020

 

The new cabin air filter is different from the older models. They changed how the pleats are orientated. If you want to use the old filters, you will need to cut the plastic part down and you will be able to use the new or old design. You will understand what I am saying when you remove the filter. They put a plastic piece so that the old filters won't fit but they are the same dimensions.