Instead of getting ripped off at your Toyota dealership for their filters, just make your own! :) This mod ins't model specific, the glove box on the xA should come off in the same matter.

Supplies needed for this task:
- Home air filter, preferably one that filters out pollen and dust and with wire mesh supporting it.
- scissors
- duck tape

Step one:
http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0036.jpg
- Clean out your glove box. :)


Step two:
http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0035.jpg

http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0034.jpg
- Look on both sides of the glove box, you'll see a small peg on each side holding the box in. Put some pressure on one side, that side of the glove box should pop out, then proceed with the other. The bottom stays on via a simple hinge. The box should be out now.


Step three:
http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0037.jpg
- Remove the filter tray by pressing the tabs on each side of the tray.


Step four:
http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0038.jpg

http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0039.jpg
- Cut your filter to size, You should be able to get at least 4 filters out of one large filter. IF you can find one that has a charcoal layer, get it. The charcoal will filter out smells from the air - I couldn't find one at Lowes or Home Depot, though. I settled on a 3M Filtrete filter for 14 bucks.
- After cutting the filter, make sure you tape up the sides without cardboard. Be sure to ensure that the filter medium makes good contact with the tape, you don't want any holes where the air can bypass the filter. I didn't have any duck tape, so I settled on electrical tape :P
- When you insert the filter in the tray, it'll need some coaxing and bending to fit in the tray.
- Ensure that there are no gaps around the filter. Store the rest of the large filter in a closed area, away from dust.


Step five:
http://www.ryanbloedow.com/xB/CabinFilter/Dscf0040.jpg
- Reinsert the filter into it's cabin.
- When reattaching the glove box, make sure the box's bottom hinges make contact with their notches first, then with a little force the two pegs should pop back behind the dash.


Step six:
- Enjoy your clean air :)

so do they sell a filter that goes in the tray? why do we have the tray and no filter? :(

Yes, they do sell one. It is the same as the Echo. I can not answer why not, but it is cool that it does have the ability to have one like the more expensive cars. :D :D

so do they sell a filter that goes in the tray? why do we have the tray and no filter? :(

I haven't got the slightest idea, but I know they want TOOOOO much for it :P

Thanks for the tip...and especially for the illustrations! This will be a definite mod once we get into air-conditioning season---which in this neck of the woods, is 9 months out of the year....

C.F.

In this forum post is the part#!

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6961&highlight=cabin+air+filter

thanks for the DIY writeup...im definitely doing this later this week 8)

so do they sell a filter that goes in the tray? why do we have the tray and no filter? :(

Two possible reasons:

1. Cost. Parts left out cost nothing.
2. This is a potential "dealer installed accessory" (and I'll wager that it will quickly become one now!)

Great work on this writeup by rbloedow!

George <--on his way to Home Despot

I checked my xA and yep..no cabin filter, just the tray...omw to lowes now

This is now a Scion Life tech article:
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/interior_filter.php

Darren

This is now a Scion Life tech article:
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/interior_filter.php

Darren

Kick ___ :)

good job ! You must of been real curious or had too much time on your hands ! http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

good job ! You must of been real curious or had too much time on your hands ! http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

Nah - a fellow member just led me to Echo Friends, where I researched it a bit :) It literally took about 10 minutes to do, and about 10 minutes to write :)

;) Echo FANS!

It's a great AND easy mod to do.. look for an active carbon layer though as it really makes a difference in filtering outside odors.

I believe the Toyota cost is around $20-25.

They sell them at brandsport.com as well, if they aren't listed under the Scions, check under the Echo.

Now, does K&N make an interior air filter? Will it make the car faster? Will I drive better with oil mist on my glasses...

No K&N, but I'm pretty sure they've got Cold Air Cabin Filters ready to go..

Cut driving times in half..

You drive twice as fast because it's so damn cold in the car.

thanks for posting this rbloedow !

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p0a4114f593c65a3cb9ebcb5ad42f3ae9/f99a2317.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p46b03897a8ed03ca631a2d944d597de5/f99a22fb.jpg

no tape needed I think, just stretch the wire to the side...

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gifhttp://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gifhttp://www.scionlife.com/forums/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif

Pics don't work.. :(

damn imagestation :(


http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289336393 or http://photos.yahoo.com/pinoy2@pacbell.net

I was at the dealer today and did a little research, The toyota cabin filter sucks, and costs just under $19. I was told that it goes in a lot of toy car like the matrix, echo, corolla, and of course the scions

Jason

The one from Toyota Ireland has an Active Carbon Layer.

Very awesome write-up.

Props to ya for the DIY

Sweet, good job and thanks for the info.

No K&N, but I'm pretty sure they've got Cold Air Cabin Filters ready to go..

Cut driving times in half..

You drive twice as fast because it's so damn cold in the car.

I think I had one of those installed in my VW bus! :)

damn imagestation :(

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p0a4114f593c65a3cb9ebcb5ad42f3ae9/f99a2317.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p46b03897a8ed03ca631a2d944d597de5/f99a22fb.jpg

highlight the url, copy ( right click ) and paste should work ?

if it doesn't work... http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289336393

Still didn't work. Demanded that I register. Did you make it "public"?

damn imagestation :(

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p0a4114f593c65a3cb9ebcb5ad42f3ae9/f99a2317.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p46b03897a8ed03ca631a2d944d597de5/f99a22fb.jpg

highlight the url, copy ( right click ) and paste should work ?

if it doesn't work... http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289336393

Still didn't work. Demanded that I register. Did you make it "public"?

it is public...oh well, I'm using my yahoo then...

damn imagestation :(

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p0a4114f593c65a3cb9ebcb5ad42f3ae9/f99a2317.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid104/p46b03897a8ed03ca631a2d944d597de5/f99a22fb.jpg

highlight the url, copy ( right click ) and paste should work ?

if it doesn't work... http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289336393

Still didn't work. Demanded that I register. Did you make it "public"?

Actually I think that you have to register with them to view any of the albums. :( It kept giving me the same thing whenever I tried to view others albums so I finally created an account.


rbloedow - Mega props on the instructions! :)

finnally I can breathe easier on I-5 going to Vegas!! Dam cows in the meadows, always stinkin up my ride!! So is the toyota filter better or the 3m from the supply stores? 8)

I would do the DIY filter. I went to see how much the toyota one was, and what it looked like. it was a single layer filter, so I doubt it would block a lot of the smells. Although, I am sure it must do something or else they wouldn't have it.

Jason

nice Write Up... has anyone had any luck finding a carbon filter for this application? Does it actually use small chunks of carbon like they use in aquarium/drinking water filters?

as for I-5 Stink ups... away they go!

The DIY worked perfectly for me today. Took some time to cut the little wires on the filter, but took less than half an hour to cut, cut some more to make it fit, tape, and install. The glove on the xA took a bit of coaxing to come out, I used a tire pressure gauge to pry the sides away.

oo wow. imma go try and do this someday. when i get some money and time. thanks for the info!

thanks! i was just going to change my filter. you should definately change air filter if you drove your car outside during the big socal fire in november.

Image tip:

If you don't want to register to imagestation...

Download opera web-browser.(3megs or so) Images will be broken when viewed in forums or it will just say [image]

hover your mouse over [image] , press/hold LMB over image and drag it...done.

opera will root out the image URL and bypass the server login.

tabbed browsing is also good in Opera if you like multi-tasking, instead of IE "stacking", you get one window...with tabs across the top.

www.opera.com

I believe mozilla does this too.

whoa how did i miss this!?! Something new and refreshing thanks rbloedow(sp?)!

so do they sell a filter that goes in the tray? why do we have the tray and no filter? :(

I haven't got the slightest idea, but I know they want TOOOOO much for it :P

Just got done with the homemade filter trick.Thanks for the tip!

Sean

whoa how did i miss this!?! Something new and refreshing thanks rbloedow(sp?)!

No problem :P And yes, you spelled it right :)

just as a side note they had a carbon filter at home depot but it was very slim like it was an overfilter of some sort. It didnt look to friendly to being cut apart so i just went with the filtrete.

any vegas peeps want the hookup just let me know and ill cut one up for yah!

Thank you rbloedow this has been my first official mod :wink:

Well I guess you can call it a mod. My suggestion for anyone is make sure you have a good pair of scissors. Otherwise your instructions were great and pics definitely help. Thanks again.

Oh one more thing why isn't this a sticky?

Rayman, thanks for digging this out.. I had missed it :)

Rayman, thanks for digging this out.. I had missed it :)

No problem. I read this before I owned my xB. Had to give thanks.

nice Write Up... has anyone had any luck finding a carbon filter for this application? Does it actually use small chunks of carbon like they use in aquarium/drinking water filters?

as for I-5 Stink ups... away they go!

Check in the air filter section at Walmart, etc. I got some thin sheets of carbon filter and added them to the other filter. No its not chunks, just a black weaved filter looking thing. :wink:

the filter will keep dust, dirt, leaves, ect., off the heating and cooling coils. with no filter, the coils will sooner or later begin to fill with dirt and nthen you're ____ed. easier to change a cheepo filter once in a whiloe.

Excuse my question if it's dumb. I was confused by Randode's comment. Does the car have a filter currently? I assume yes. So this thread is for changing future filters, correct?

Excuse my question if it's dumb. I was confused by Randode's comment. Does the car have a filter currently? I assume yes. So this thread is for changing future filters, correct?

No, doesn't come with a filter, just the bay for one.

After taking the cowling off from below the windshield, I was amazed at what a straight shot it is down into the fresh air intake. The only thing filtering is that small mesh screen in the cowling... The filter is a MUST.

finnally I can breathe easier on I-5 going to Vegas!! Dam cows in the meadows, always stinkin up my ride!! So is the toyota filter better or the 3m from the supply stores? 8)

heh yeah u said it

Thanks for the directions! I just installed the filter- cakewalk.

Funny man at Home Depot thought I was using the filter for the engine. He was trying to talk me out of it.

Thanks again.

The original post was February 16th. Just curious if you have pulled the filter recently and if so what did it look like? I may do this, but not sure if it's necessary :?

The original post was February 16th. Just curious if you have pulled the filter recently and if so what did it look like? I may do this, but not sure if it's necessary :?

Funny you should ask. i just pulled mine the other night and it was filthy with dust. Made a new one a stuck it back in. Also, when i was checking my dad's new Corolla to see if they had a filter, it did, but it was crusted with leaves and stuff from where they park. If it hadn't had one, all that crap would've fallen thru into the HVAC ducting and probably come out the vents, etc...

I also notice a difference from the charcoal filters i add to mine. I can smell the difference between the Box and our Grand Caravan. i need to check the filter in the van and boost it up...

Funny you should ask. i just pulled mine the other night and it was filthy with dust. Made a new one a stuck it back in. Also, when i was checking my dad's new Corolla to see if they had a filter, it did, but it was crusted with leaves and stuff from where they park. If it hadn't had one, all that crap would've fallen thru into the HVAC ducting and probably come out the vents, etc...

I also notice a difference from the charcoal filters i add to mine. I can smell the difference between the Box and our Grand Caravan. i need to check the filter in the van and boost it up...

Ok, just read the entire insturctions and not going to pass this one up. I'm going to get the filter tonight and enjoy some clean / fresh air :P :D

Rbloedow, thanks so much for providing this DIY. I followed your instructions and they worked perfectly for my tC (took less than 10 minutes to do). I was able to cut 8 filters out of the large $10 Filtrete sheet... very glad I did this instead of buying the filters from the dealer! Thanks, Jayme

I am adding a carbon filter to mine but I need to know if the air flows top to bottom or bottom to top :?: :lol:

I am adding a carbon filter to mine but I need to know if the air flows top to bottom or bottom to top :?: :lol:

I was going to ask the same thing. I went outside and turned the air on in the Box. Air flows from down to up through the vents. Just as the arrow shows on the outside of the tray for direction of insert, the airflow in the xB is the same.

QUESTION: Did any of you place an air freshner on top (side facing roof of Box) of the filter? I was going to do this, but don't have any on hand right now. I don't like hanging them from the mirror and this would be the ultimate disbursement 8)

BTW >> My filter was I believe $3.88 (I know it was under $4) from Wal-Mart. It's made by Arm & Hammer and will be good for 4 filters or one years use. :lol: I have pics of everything if needed

What are the measurements on the finished filter? I want to figure out what size filter is the best to buy with the least waste left over.

What are the measurements on the finished filter? I want to figure out what size filter is the best to buy with the least waste left over.

They are 8x8" I bought a 16x16" 3m filtrete filter... 4 pieces

I want to do this DIY myself though I have a couple questions fo rthose that have done it already...Please correct me if I am wrong, and thanks to all who can respond with advice :)

Part Needed- 3m Filtrete or a charcoal/carbon based filter from any home repair type of store???

Once I have this filter and cut it to fit the tray, is there any particular way the filter should sit??? ie; is there a top and bottom to the filter or does it matter which side is facing up in the tray???

And again for those that have done this and had it in place for a few months, how is the smell of the inside of the cabin, and how is your a/c - defrost - heater air flow now that it's in there??? Has it really been a noticable improvement since it's been added to your rides??? How often should I change the filter???

Thanks again everyone!!! :D

DAN

I got a question. Is the filter spot the same as in the Echos? If so, I cant recall the exact model but I think the RAV4 is a drop in for the Echos. I cant recall if it was the RAV4 but I do know one of the toyota filters droped in. Might want to do some searching around www.echodrivers.com & see what they use. That is if that spot is the same as the echos.

The cabin air filter system is the same as the Echo/Rav4. But the echo cost about $15-18.

7red7,
You will need punture resistant gloves. Winter/thick garden gloves should do. The metal pieces can cut you :D

Using only the 3M Filtrate, it doesnt matter how you place it. But with a charcoal+3Mcombo filter not sure. Probably place the charcoal portion at the bottom of the tray, closer to the white fan.

I went down to the local ACE Hardware here in town, and I found a nice Central Air conditioning filter with charcoal for only $3.99!!! :D It measures 20x25, and I was able to cut 6 perfectly fitting filters from it!!! I'm all set for the next year with filters changing them every three to four months :D

After driving around all day with the new filter installed, I can honestly say the air smells cleaner, blows colder, and there was no loss of air flow at all that I've noticed :D

I think everyone should do this...I think all cars should have a cabin filter for their air conditioning units :D

Thank you again for the detailed instructions and pics, they helped me out a lot for this, and it really did take about ten minutes total to do it :D

DAN

I just went to my dealer and bought one for my car.. it was 18 dollars.... well worth the money spent

Hey thats cool to hear...I honestly wish eveyrone of the Scions came with them though...But why spend 18 dollars when you can do it for under 5 bucks total though??? :D It was kinda fun to make too :D But hey man I'm not hating at all, it's cool to hear you got one though...All box's should hav ethem installed :D


DAN

The original post was February 16th. Just curious if you have pulled the filter recently and if so what did it look like? I may do this, but not sure if it's necessary :?

I've replaced it three times since - each time it's been pretty dirty. I want to find a fileter with charcoal for my next replacement.

Rbloedow, thanks so much for providing this DIY. I followed your instructions and they worked perfectly for my tC (took less than 10 minutes to do). I was able to cut 8 filters out of the large $10 Filtrete sheet... very glad I did this instead of buying the filters from the dealer! Thanks, Jayme

NP :)

I saw a cut to fit furnace filter with a charcoal layer in WalMart yesterday when I was hunting for a filter to cut up for my new xA. Priced about $8.50 I think. I did not get the one with the charcoal area as it seemed to be thicker construction and I thought it might be too restrictive for the car. It was more impressive than the corrugated filters with the very thin filter material. Of course the corrugated filters provide more filtering area.

Is cabin filter same as air filter? I don't see any air filter insturction on the user manual.

Is cabin filter same as air filter? I don't see any air filter insturction on the user manual.

No, the two are not the same. The cabin filter is inside the passenger compartment (cabin) and it is used in the air conditioning system. The air filter is inside the engine compartment and filters the air going into the engine. The air filter is necessary, the cabin filter is not.

Thanks.....

I bought a air filter yesterday and open the engine compartment and couldn't locate my xA air filter. Do you know what I can find it?

What is the purpose of the air cabin filter? Why do we need it if it was not installed in the first place?

It should be in the right side of the engine compartment. It will look like a tube going into a box with another tube coming out of the other end of the box if you have the stock intake. If you have an aftermarket intake, it will vary where it is.

What is the purpose of the air cabin filter? Why do we need it if it was not installed in the first place?

The cabin filter does the same thing as the filter to your home air conditioning unit; it catches debris in the air so that it is not circulated through your house/cabin. You don't need it, but it definitely doesn't hurt to have, especially if you have allergies. It probably wasn't installed in the first place because they were cutting corners.

Thanks for bringing back this thread. Will replace filter very soon.

I have pics of the old filter I removed from my xB after 3 months. You'd be surprised....

If you guys want to see pics, let me know and I'll try to get them up.

WIX Filters makes cabin air filters for our Scions

xA and xB P/N: 24900

As far as it's contents it looks like it doesn't have a carbon layer.

Just FYI...

EDIT: Oops, I guess they do have a carbon layer...

WIX's combination-style Cabin Air Filter uses a multilayer design to trap microscopic airborne particles. Additionally, WIX Cabin Air Filters employ an Activated Carbon Layer to absorb the gases and odors that can cause a variety of problems ranging from headaches and nausea to allergic reactions.

Well, I did the mod and I love it. Thanks for all the info guys.

Just made my filter last night. Works great! No more funky smells when I drive through the bad part of town!

Im really glad ur able to make your own. I noticed a weird smell coming from my air conditioner.kinda like a water smell or something. and i brought it in and wanted to know what it was or why my air conditioner was smelling that way, and the guy told me that i needed a cabin air filter and it wasnt part of warranty and i asked how much a new one was and he said 69 bucks. and now i see on here that some people got them for 18. was this dude like trying to rip me off or something? lol it seriously makes me wonder about toyota. anyways. i am definently going to try this. thanks for posting it! Jessica

I am adding a carbon filter to mine but I need to know if the air flows top to bottom or bottom to top :?: :lol:

I was going to ask the same thing. I went outside and turned the air on in the Box. Air flows from down to up through the vents. Just as the arrow shows on the outside of the tray for direction of insert, the airflow in the xB is the same.


I'm resurrecting this thread just to say.. the air actually flows from top to bottom through the filter. This can easily be seen by which side the dirt and particles are on in the filter.

Alternately you could turn on the fan and hold a feather or something light in the cabin filter space to see which way it goes (it gets pulled down).

FYI, underneath the cabin air filter box is a blower (like the computer exhaust fan type).

so in case that's still not clear enough... it means that the carbon filter should go on the bottom of the cabin filter tray, and the particle filter element on top of that.

I made mine yesterday...i really smell the difference when driving behind a bigass truck that spills out hella smoke through their muffler. I think it also helps a little when I drive past roadkill. There is a dead skunk by the road that I drive past everyday, it's probably been dead for a couple days, and now that I have the air filter, I don't smell the skunk anymore.

So the wired side of the filter should be facing up?

I just did mine today. Check on the filter itself to see which way the air is supposed to flow. I'm the type of person that gets so involved in doing the cutting that I then forget which way is up, so I figured that if I write on the cardboard border which way is up, then when I'm done cutting, I will know how to put the filter in right side up.
I got a Filtrete filter, and it has wire on both sides.
This is a really easy mod to do. The only tricky thing is getting the glove box back in properly. I had to pop both top tabs in at the same time to get it to go in properly.

I would just like to say as a new XB owner (1 week today) that this website has been extremely informative and helpful. This was an easy walkthru that was beneficial to all owners.

Thanks.

Is the Rav4/Echo filter the same as the tC? Does anyone know? I did a DIY a few months ago, but someday I'd like to get a factory one for the heck of it. Yes I know it's more $.