DIY Cabin Filter Replacement - Anyone do this?

For an 08 .... but you get the idea ...


REV

 

NO.
Gen II is a superior design

 

Here's the Gen III Cabin air filter replacement

 

Am I missing something? What does the cabin filter have anything to do with how the car runs? I thought it is just for filtering the debris coming into the cabin, such as pollen, smoke, etc.

 

No, you're not missing anything. They're probably thinking of the engine air filter, which can affect how the car runs.

The cabin filter helps humans and pets breathe easier in the passenger compartment, especially if they have allergies. If you notice the air coming out of your vents smells musty or like mildew, it's time to change it. In my Civic Hybrid, this happened every 10,000 miles. In my Prius, it happens every 30,000 miles. Your mileage may vary. You decide when it bothers you.

 

I've had 1st hand experience with a dirty/clogged cabin filter in a Toyota. It significantly reduces the air output from the vents, much worse cooling in hot weather and less heating in cold weather. If you have your air system running all the time, changing the filter at 15K is highly recommended. A clogged filter also loads the blower, resulting in increased power consumption, although how much this might effect anything other than blower life is an open question.
When in doubt, change it. I tried to get 30K out of one and it was almost completely clogged. I do not drive in dusty places either.

 

Great observations. You offer some compelling reasons for changing it sooner rather than later.