Do you replace the cabin air filter yourself?

I change mine on the generation 2 prius in a few min's..
the filters are cheap on e bay (I found them for 5 bucks with free shipping)
if you need them changed more often buy a bunch of cheap ones and change them once a month, they are all made in china so why pay $16 bucks for a 5 dollar filter..
Im sure theres a video on you tube that will show you how

 

I've got 23,000 miles on and still haven't replaced either filter, engine or cabin. I blow them out regularly and plan to wait until Toyota tells me they need to be replaced. So far all they've said is they are slightly discolored, but haven't suggested they be replaced. I suffer from hay fever, etc., this time of year, but so far the Prius temp control system seems to keep things under control by automatically switching from outside to inside air as needed. Of course, hay fever may not be as troublesome as other allergies. Trouble is I'm on a road trip, so I'm not to be passing through the same areas, so I wouldn't know if changing the filter would make a difference or not.

 

^ Same here. We're at 50000 kms plus, I've had both filters out several times, haven't looked anywhere near bad enough to warrant changing yet. The cabin filter I'll knock/blow the dust/bugs off. The engine filter I don't touch, just check, and so far it's still looking fine.

Our climate is kinda wet, maybe that keeps the dust down. Also, we drive with the windows cracked or rolled down half the time, cabin ventilation system shut right off.

 

i changed mine with a fram, but it was horrible. if i had bad allergies, i would pony up for a toyota charcoal filter, at least once to see if it helped.

 

When I had my first scheduled maintenance I expected to be tapped for new filters, so I started checking and thought the Fram Fresh Breeze ($13-$18 on Amazon) might be a good choice. Then I saw posts here saying folks were disappointed, so I've pretty much decided to stick with Toyota. Yeah, $16 is higher than $5 eBay filters, but if they do the job for longer, they could be cheaper in the long run. The one thing about the cabin filter is that it doesn't seem to do much more than keep larger debris out, or at least not get dirty with smaller stuff. After 23,000 road miles, there just doesn't seem to be much buildup that blows out when I clean it or the engine filter. I used to check the filers on my previous cars and I'd see buildup just by tapping the filter on the workbench and I believe those filters were more porous. Of course, a larger V-8 probably sucks in a lot more air.

 

I'm maybe a little over-the-top, well actually a lot, but anyway:

I like my binder of invoices to look uniform. I'm on my dealership's radar, every time I make a parts purchase it's logged with my name, and the car's VIN.

So I tend to avoid aftermarket. The thing with filters too: if you're changing them at intervals like 30,000 miles, how nuts do you want to get, ordering iffy third party stuff over the 'net, that may or may not fit?

 

Used to replace mine every month or two as the mice got in and chewed them up. So I went for the $4 filters. But, I have screened off most of what the mice got through I hope.

Still going to get the $4 filters as I sincerely believe the more expensive ones are beneficial only to the filter maker.

I could not figure out how to replace the filter, which lead me to the internet and lead me to this forum, where the helpful folks gave good advice. Now, I can pull out the cabin filter and replace it in about 90 seconds.

Youtube is a good suggestion. I am sure they have some good videos. On the Prius, it is quite simple.

My Camry, you need a screwdriver, but the same basic priniciple. Mice don't like the Camry much. Husband Kevin only replaces that filter every eight months to a year.

 

Yes, I have settled with changing the cabin filter myself, once per year or about 10,000 miles.(2010 liftback with 60,000 miles) At that time, their is a bit of a musty / moldy smell and bits of white dust showing on the radio and HVAC windows. Time for an new filter and all is well again.

 

My wife and I both have allergies. I live in a suburb of Chicago. The air is very dirty here. I change mine myself at about every 9,000 miles. The last time I used a charcoal filter and it seems to help both of us better than the regular filter. I use Toyota filters.

 

I bought my 2012 Prius 4 at Carmax a month ago. I was unaware that a charcoal filter was available. That's awesome! I'm gonna check mine asap and replace with the charcoal type if it's not already that type. My allergies are horrible!