Cabin / Air Filter Combo

If the job was recommended by toyota, should that be cover under the 2yrs 20,000 program?

 

Either way, you can do it yourself for $30 bucks - online parts suppliers. Don't fall for that scam

 

yes, that was a dealer combo service special. unfortunately, the engine air filter isn't due until 30k, and either way, i have never found either filter very dirty, but that may depend on environment.

 

Yes:

^ This. Do it yourself, and only replace when it needs it.

 

the air filter is a snap. the cabin filter is a bit more touch, at least on my gen 2 and 3. the design of the glovebox is very poor in my opinion.

 

Question: When you turned on your 2023 Limited for the first time of the day, did you have any brief moldy odor?

 

Wait a minute

2020 Toyota Prius Cabin Air Filter | Low Price at ToyotaPartsDeal

Toyota Prius Air Filter - Guaranteed Genuine Toyota Parts

 

@tovli getting rid of condensation that can build up in the HVAC system when using A/C or defrost in freezing weather while in ECO mode can sometimes be helped by switching to POWER mode so the HVAC stays on continuously instead of cycling like it does in ECO mode. Thanks @drash !

 

They're selling it as a combined service. With one exception, air filters should not be changed by date or milage, but by visual condition. Just a little bit of dust/dirt is just fine(it actually makes the filter work a bit better when it's a touch dirty). The vast majority of people either change them way too often(because it's easy money for the repair shop to recommend), or they never replace them even when they should.

If you have even the remotest doubt, ask to see the filter. If it's significantly darkened from dirt or mold, let them replace it(or do it yourself). Otherwise, make a mental note to yourself that this dealer likes to recommend unneeded services.


The one exception is if you decide to use the premium cabin air filter that contains activated charcoal(for odor control). If you go that route(and I do), you need to change the filter yearly because that's how long the activated charcoal portion lasts. The filter can still do its job filtering out dust and pollen for much longer than that, but the activated charcoal will be used up.

BTW, here are the part numbers and prices for genuine Toyota air filters for the gen5. This is not an area where you need to stay genuine, though. Any decent quality paper filter of the proper size will do the job. I tend to buy them myself, do the engine filter when it's needed, and have the dealership install the cabin filter during my routine spring service.

Part Number - MSRP - Lewis Price - Description
17801-24040 - $30.99 - $19.54 - Engine Air Filter
87139-YZZ83 - $21.99 - $15.47 - Cabin Air Filter (standard)
87139-76020 - $52.99 - $36.79 - Cabin Air Filter (premium)

 

When the Toyota Stealership tries to sell you something tell them you aren't ever giving another penny to them again and that you can buy a higher quality cabin air filter online for less than $20.

 

I do mine every 20K miles; every other oil change and prefer the charcoal filters @ $15 pair or $11 for OEM equivalent filters.Combo Set Engine & Cabin Air Filter for Toyota Prius 2016 - 2022 17801-21060 | eBay

 

I changed both filters, reluctantly, around 95k kms. The engine filter in particular was barely dusty.

we’re west coast North America, likely cleaner air.

 

Yeah Pacfic Northwest is easy on engine air filters... Only time I've seen a dirty air filter is when the vehicle was from different part of the country.

More to the point if your engine air filter doesn't look dirty after the amount of miles/km when it's supposed to be changed you're wasting your money if you change it.

 

Not OP but I have the issue. Dealer claims it's not covered under warranty and filter is fine. I know Toyota sells a kit to clean out the system but it seems a bit of a pain/smells strong for a couple days.

 

The brief moldy odor is… mold. Growing on the AC system’s in-dash radiator (technically called “evaporator”), which chills the cabin air. Just like a glass of ice water, water vapour in the air condenses on it.

if you use AC regularly, continuously, you will get mold. Toyota, instead of designing a system that somehow sheds the water (arguably a tall order), or making the evaporator readily accessible*, will sell you some bottles of cleaner, that are of dubious efficacy.

one workaround, is to use AC sparingly, and always shut it down, but leave the fan running, at least a mile before your destination.

* what you’re in for, accessing evaporator:

Replaced the AC evaporator this weekend - about at expected | PriusChat

 

that's what i do. i run a/c manually, so i just shut it off and leave the fan on. eventually, you learn to time it right so the car isn't too hot by the time you get to your destination.
if i forget, i just shut it off and wait a few minutes.