Toyota Prius
Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or replace the HVAC cabin
air filter element in a 3rd generation 2010 to 2015 Toyota Prius hybrid.
 Two Prius Glove Boxes |
 Open Lower Glove Box |
 Side Damper Arm |
| This
automotive "how-to" guide was specifically written to assist owners
of the third generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015) Toyota Prius
hybrid hatchback in cleaning or replacing the A/C system's cabin air
filter element. Owners of the previous 2nd generation 2004-2009 Prius and other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Corolla, Matrix, Camry, Sienna, Avalon, Highlander, RAV4, FJ Cruiser, Venza, 4Runner, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, IS250, ES350, tC, FR-S, iQ, xD, and xB may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible aftermarket cabin air filters include the following with their part numbers: Fram CF10285, Wix 24483, TYC 800108C, K&N VF2000, Purolator C35667, EPAuto CP285, Pentius PHB5667, Installer Champ BE-285, Beck Arnley 042-2082 and Denso 453-1019. No tools are needed to access the cabin air filter element. |
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 Pop Off Damper Arm |
 Arm Off Mounting Peg |
 Push Sides Inwards |
| The first two steps
are to sit in the front passenger seat and open the lower of the two glove
boxes. Empty out the contents. Then locate the damper arm on the right side of the glove box and pop it off the mounting peg. If you have trouble disconnecting the damper arm with your fingers, use a screwdriver for some more leverage. |
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 Release Side Wall Stops |
 Lower Glove Box |
 A/C Blower Motor |
| Firmly push inwards
on the two side walls of the glove box until the side stoppers can be pulled
out past the dashboard. Gently lower the glove box down to the front passenger floor mat. The hinges of the glove box may come apart as you lower the glove box, but they can easily be re-connected later. Behind the glove box, you'll see the white plastic blower motor housing and the rectangular cabin air filter access cover. |
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 Press Release Tab On Right |
 Swing Filter Cover Open |
 Filter Cover Removed |
| Press the release
tab on the right of the filter cover inwards and swing the cover open
towards yourself. Pull the tab on the left side of the filter cover out of the slot on the housing. |
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 Slide Out Cabin Air Filter |
 Filter Element Housing |
 Clean Filter With Vacuum |
| Slide the old cabin
filter straight out of the housing. Make a mental note of how the "Air Flow"
arrow is orientated.
On this 2012 Prius, the cabin filter had the word "UP" with an arrow printed on the front edge indicating how the element should be installed. If your old filter is relatively clean such as the one above, you can just tap out the large debris and clean it with a vacuum before re-installing it. If your old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves and other debris, it should be replaced with a brand new element. I recommend buying the Fram CF10285 "Fresh Breeze" cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon. I also like how it has Arm & Hammer baking soda and carbon in the filter to help absorb odors. |
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 Slide In New Filter |
 "Up" Arrow On Filter |
 Insert Tab Into Slot |
| Slide the cleaned
or new cabin air filter straight into the blower motor housing. Your new filter may either have an "Air Flow" arrow that needs to be pointed down or the word "UP" with an arrow printed on the front edge that needs to be pointed upwards. Insert the tab on the left side of the filter cover into the slot on the blower motor housing and swing the cover closed to the right. Gently secure the clip on the right side by pushing it until it clicks into place. |
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 Snap Filter Cover Closed |
 Filter Cover Replaced |
 Snap Glove Box Hinges |
| If the glove box's hinges came apart when you lowered it, line up the two halves of the hinges and snap them together. | ||
 Push In Side Wall Stops |
 Push On Side Damper Arm |
 Close Lower Glove Box |
| Firmly push in the
side walls of the glove box until the side stops can be re-inserted into
place. Push the hole at the bottom of the damper arm on the right side of the glove box back on to its mounting peg. Close the lower glove box to complete the job. For more,
check out my other
Toyota Prius DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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