Let’s discuss upkeep. While not inherently difficult, some maintenance, like as replacing your differential fluids or performing your own oil changes, can be messy and time-consuming. On the other hand, doing something like changing a cabin air filter is the exact opposite.
The cabin air filter is perhaps one of the maintenance items that gets the least attention. That really shouldn’t be the case given how straightforward it is. It should be a top priority to breathe pure airmy filter was quite unclean. I’m also responsible for overlooking this one.
In This Article...
Why Change Your Cabin Air Filter?
Like any filter, cabin air filters work to keep the air entering your vehicle clean. The need to update this filter is even more critical if you frequently use trails or reside in a dry, dusty location. Toyota advises replacing a cabin air filter every 10,000 miles if it is used often. Toyota advises replacing your filter every 15,00030,000 miles for more common driving use.
You can see how dirty my cabin air filter was in the picture up above. The filter material was filthy, black, and covered in leaves, dust, and other detritus. The clogged filter was obviously not doing its job efficiently, so even though the fan was blowing air into my cabin, neither my passengers nor I were breathing the cleanest air possible.
This filter had, in my estimation, traveled around 30,000 miles, with usage tending toward the extreme end of the range. It is obvious that I put off doing this for approximately three times too long. A blocked air filter will undoubtedly affect how hard the HVAC fan needs to work in addition to obstructing airflow through the temperature control system. Could a severely blocked filter affect your fan in the future, requiring a severely expensive repair? Potentially. But why take a chance? Simply swap it out and move on!
Cabin Air Filter Replacement Overview
This low-maintenance device doesn’t really require any care. It actually just takes five minutes. possibly less I’ll walk you through the procedure with a brief step-by-step tutorial.
Cabin air filters come in a variety of varieties. Although there are several aftermarket alternatives, I opted to purchase OEM because I got it at a wonderful price. They’re all claiming to have some sort of unique filtering system or other distinguishing feature. I made the decision to stick with the basic factory-equipped equipment.
Where is the Toyota Tacoma cabin air filter?
Glove Box, open Open the glove box by going to the vehicle. Simple enough! The glove box’s cabin air filter is located at the back.
How frequently should a Toyota Tacoma have its cabin air filter changed?
The engine air filter and cabin air filter should be changed every 10,000 miles under extreme driving circumstances and every 15,00030,000 miles under normal driving conditions, according to your Toyota Tacoma service manual.
How frequently should a cabin air filter be changed?
However, in general, most cabin air filters should be changed every 15,000 to 30,000 miles. Additional indications include any of the following: airflow reduction when climate control systems are activated. persistent, offensive scents.
Do Toyota Tacomas from 2021 have cabin air filters?
The majority of the time, it will be behind the glove box. Cabin air filters in your 2021 Toyota Tacoma are created to purify the air as it passes through your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. Allergens like pollen and dust are eliminated by the cabin air filter.
Can I change the cabin air filter on my own?
As particles and occasionally odors are removed from the air entering new cars through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, cabin air filters are becoming more and more common. Premium models frequently come with cabin air filters as standard equipment, but other vehicles may offer them as a separate option or as a part of a package of options. Cabin air filters can be found in two or more luxury vehicles.
Depending on the particular filter design, a cabin air filter can capture different types and sizes of particles. A more comprehensive list, meanwhile, would include dirt, dust, leaves, twigs, insects, smoke, smog, mildew, pollen, mold, spores, fungi, bacteria, pathogens, rodent droppings, and other unwelcome material.
In addition to enhancing air quality, a cabin air filter can have an impact on a vehicle’s safety. According to the Filter Manufacturers Council, airborne particles either directly cause or aggravate the allergies of 40 million Americans. A cabin air filter can lessen or completely eliminate symptoms like sneezing, blurred vision, runny noses, and headaches that could cause a driver to become distracted and cause an accident by removing those particles.
A pleated filtering media, common in cabin air filters, imitates paper in appearance but is actually a more complicated substance comprised of natural and/or synthetic fibers. The physical properties of the filter trap the majority of impurities, and in many designs, air passing over the filter generates an electrostatic charge that aids in drawing in and trapping tiny particles. In order to sustain the filtering medium and provide various types and levels of filtration, quality filters may have numerous layers.
Cabin air filters vary widely in quality. A cabin air filter’s cost rises in direct proportion to its quality. At a neighborhood auto parts store, a simple filter might cost $15, whereas a quality original equipment part might cost $50 or more from a car dealership.
The normal efficiency of standard cabin air filters is 98 percent for capturing particles in the 5-100 micron range. This covers the vast majority of pollutants, but not the tiniest spores, soot, or smoke from cigarettes.
Even smaller particles can be captured by High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cabin air filters. Based on rigorous industry testing, one significant provider asserts that their premium HEPA cabin air filters have a filtration efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns. HEPA filters offer the highest level of protection against airborne particles despite being more expensive.
Many cabin air filters, in addition to filtering particles, also undergo chemical treatment with activated carbon, which gives them a gray look and aids in the elimination of a range of aromas. These exhaust gas odours from incomplete combustion include ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxides, hydrogen sulfide, and benzenes. Baking soda is sometimes added to cabin air filters in place of charcoal to help them combat smells from human waste, wet dogs, and mildew.
If the cabin filter in your automobile has to be updated, you should think about these three things:
- Mileage: The factory suggests changing cabin air filters every 15,000 to 30,000 kilometers. For precise mileage information, consult your car’s owner’s manual or your local auto repair shop.
- Fine particulate matter concentrations: If you travel in a region with higher than average concentrations of dust, pollen, and other airborne debris, you may need to replace the filter more regularly. When they notice how many impurities have accumulated on a cabin air filter that has been in use for a while, many drivers are astonished.
- Performance: The HVAC system’s limited airflow, quickly fogged-up and difficult-to-defrost windows, and lingering aromas are all signs of a constrained cabin air filter. Additionally, a constrained cabin air filter increases the burden on the ventilation fan and may reduce its lifespan.
The ductwork that carries outside air to the HVAC system contains cabin air filters. The filter may be located in the engine compartment of some vehicles close to the base of the windshield. Others have it hidden under the glove box or under the dashboard. The majority of cabin air filters may be changed without using any tools in less than 15 minutes, while some may take a bit longer and include removing fasteners holding the glove box or interior trim panels in place. Ask your neighborhood vehicle repair shop for assistance if you need it when changing your filter.
For those drivers whose vehicles didn’t come equipped with a cabin air filter, there is also good news. Many manufacturers use the same HVAC ductwork on all trim levels of a certain model in order to reduce the amount of different parts they need to produce. Therefore, even if a filter wasn’t fitted at the factory, there is a strong possibility the car is set up to take one if your owner’s handbook mentions replacing the cabin air filter. To find out if the ductwork has the required filter housing, just follow the replacement instructions.
What happens if your cabin air filter isn’t changed?
If you don’t replace your cabin air filter, it will accumulate additional dirt and debris, reducing its effectiveness and that of your car’s HVAC system. The volume of air entering your passenger compartment will gradually decrease, which may cause a problem with unpleasant scents within your car. The air quality in your car will be significantly improved by performing the straightforward task of changing your cabin air filter.
AC impacted by cabin filter?
Unbelievably, your cabin filter can have an impact on your air conditioning system, and the AC can have a significant impact on the overall power of the car. You might need to increase the AC if your filter is clogged. Your AC’s workload increases as does the engine’s. Your car’s drive train, alternator, and other vital components could operate with less energy. You might think that the car is simply not up to pace when these components that produce horsepower fail. While this is unfortunate news, there is a silver lining: If your automobile looks sluggish, it may not be a serious technical issue, but rather something as straightforward as a blocked filter, which is simple to replace.
The quality of the cabin air is crucial for everyone’s health as well as the long-term maintenance and performance of your car. It’s crucial to breathe clean, fresh air, particularly on lengthy travels and especially on chilly or wet days when you don’t want to open the windows. Make sure to have the cabin filter examined or changed on a regular basis to be on the safe side.
What is the price of a cabin filter?
Typically, cabin air filters cost $15 to $50. You could save up to $50 on labor charges if you can complete the replacement yourself. Despite being out of sight, your cabin air filter shouldn’t be forgotten.
What symptoms indicate a faulty cabin filter?
This is possibly the most typical symptom of a bad cabin air filter. Poor air flow from your car’s vents inside is a telltale indicator that your air filter needs to be repaired or replaced.
A dirty air filter would not be as effective at filtering air as one that is tainted. This causes the air conditioning system’s airflow to be restricted, which in turn causes the vents to blast air with very little force and puts additional strain on the AC system in the car.
Cabin air filters: are they washable?
Cabin air filters are the hidden heroes of having a comfortable environment while driving. The majority of people have no idea they exist. They have a job to do, and that task gets them dirty, just like any other filters on your car. Knowing when to clean a cabin air filter or recognize when a new filter is required is essential for proper cabin air filter maintenance. These filters are found in the majority of vehicles built after 2000, and depending on normal driving conditions, manufacturers typically advise replacing them every 15,00020,000 miles, or about once per year.
Purpose
Cabin air filters assist in removing tiny particles such as dust, mold, pollen, and others from the air inside your car that may be unpleasant or dangerous to breathe in. Environmental toxins can irritate people when they pass through a dirty filter. Additionally, the effectiveness of the heating and cooling systems for the interior of the automobile might be impacted by a filthy or clogged filter.
Removal
Although some are under the hood, just behind the firewall, most cabin air filters are found on the passenger side, under the glove box. There could be one or two, depending on the car. Check your owner’s handbook to learn how to remove the filter(s) properly as different vehicles have different methods for doing so. In some cases, disconnecting the glove box is also necessary. Despite how simple it is to remove the filters, treat them carefully to avoid ripping them. Any amount of wear requires replacement.
Debris
You’ll see that one side is dirtier than the other once the filter has been removed. Look for fading, a buildup of dirt or dust, and rips or distorted pleats. By hand, clear the area of any sticks, bigger debris, or other gathered items.
Cleaning Different Filter Types
There are cloth, carbon, and paper cabin air filters. Never clean paper filters; always replace them. Some fabric and carbon filters can withstand washing and are reusable. Apply water with a hose set to low pressure, sweeping from top to bottom, from clean side to dirty side. Then pour soapy water into a container, submerge, slosh around, and let sit for at least 10 minutes. Rinse it off and let it to air dry on a towel in the sun. Repeat as necessary with a fresh batch of clean, soapy water. Reinstall only when everything has dried completely to avoid developing mold. Reusable filters can only be washed so many times; if they start to look worn or develop holes, it’s time for a replacement.
Maintaining your cabin air filter is an easy method to enhance the quality of the air and boost the effectiveness of your heating and cooling systems.
To learn more about all the filters we have to offer, visit NAPA Online or depend on one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare centers. Visit your neighborhood NAPA AUTO PARTS store to speak with a qualified specialist for more details on cabin air filter maintenance.
A 2017 Tacoma’s cabin filter is present, right?
Cabin air filters in your 2017 Toyota Tacoma are made to clean the air as it passes through your heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system, just like engine air filters are. Allergens like pollen and dust are eliminated by the cabin air filter.