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Arrow on aftermarket cabin air filter

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by luckyflyer, May 25, 2013.

  1. luckyflyer

    luckyflyer Junior Member

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    Anyone know which way the arrow points on an aftermarket cabin air filter such as say a wix or fram or other? I'm told that the arrow on an aftermarket filter indicates airflow direction . That would mean that on my 11 prius the arrow would point down instead of up as with the oem filter. The wix filter that I have does not address the arrow direction anywhere on the box.
     
  2. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    The arrow should point down. I am using a Wix charcoal filter from an IS250, and the charcoal side is facing up.


    iPhone ?
     
  3. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    +1

    I am using a Fram. The charcoal side is also up and the arrow is pointing down.
     
  4. luckyflyer

    luckyflyer Junior Member

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    Thanks, the wix filter that I have (24483) is not a charcoal filter. Both sides look the same. You would think that wix would mention the arrow somewhere on the box.
     
  5. Bill075

    Bill075 Junior Member

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    I called Wix Customer Service last week at 704 864-6748 and was told the arrow points up.
    Everyone should call and see how many ups & downs we get, or does it really matter on the wix
     
  6. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    Part of the confusion comes from the Owner's Manual that shows the cabin air filter arrow pointing up. IIRC even the outer plastic cover has the arrow pointing up. But the manual also shows blowing air to clean in the direction of the arrow indicating that any dust and particles would be on the top side of the filter ;)

    The air flow is actually down as it is drawn from the outside, down through the filter and then blown into the cabin. When looking at the air filter when removed the dust and particles will be on top of the filter indicating air flow in the downward direction.

    There has been many threads on this subject when the Gen III first came out.
     
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  7. luckyflyer

    luckyflyer Junior Member

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    So I guess the big question is does the arrow indicate air flow direction on aftermarket filters? Based on what others have said I must conclude yes to that question. Thanks for all of the input on this.
     
  8. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    IIRC the Fram filter actually states "Air Flow Direction" next to the arrow. Also, if IIRC, the OEM filter did not have any markings next to the arrow to indicate the meaning of the arrow.
     
  9. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Just checked the filter today and it says "UP" next to the arrow.
     
  10. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    What filter do you have? OEM?

    What does UP mean, other than the arrow needs to point up? It is not a good indication of air flow direction.
     
  11. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    OEM filter and to me, UP means to stick the filter in the slot with the arrow pointing up.
     
  12. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    This is where the confusion comes in for someone using non-OEM filters with air flow direction arrows. The air flow direction is actually DOWN and not UP.
     
  13. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    If I bought an aftermarket filter, unless it had the word airflow and an arrow printed on it, I would put it in with the arrow facing up.
     
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  14. Bill075

    Bill075 Junior Member

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    Why try and second guess what the manufacture means... if no clear instructions are given call or email the manufacture tech dept.
     
  15. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    You can always do that.

    The easiest way though is to pull the air filter and see what side has the dust and particles. This will be the upstream side of the air flow. In the case of the Prius this will be the top side of the filter, indicating air flow is in the DOWN direction.

    Another way to look at this is that if the air flow was in the direction of the UP arrow, then every time the blower motor stopped the particles would fall back down into the blower motor :(
     
  16. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    Looking at the filter, I don't see what difference it makes on how it goes in.
     
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  17. ian2002525

    ian2002525 Junior Member

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    Arrow points down and charcoal side face "down" too !!!!
     
  18. Okinawa

    Okinawa Senior Member

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    I was unable to figure it out. Just one of the reasons why I use OEM filters. Not worth all that hassle to me.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    some plain filters are directional. and it's impossible to know which way by looking at them. an arrow is useless without 'airflow' stamped next to it.
     
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  20. ian2002525

    ian2002525 Junior Member

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    So what direction of flow is for our prius? From top to down?