CREDITS: This article was written by a dedicated Scion Life member. Please let out rbloedow know if this article was helpful to you!

DISCLAIMER: Scionlife.com does not take any responsibility in what you do to your car. This FAQ could be filled with incorrect information. You could be voiding your warranty if not installed by a certified mechanic or dealership. It is quite possible that you can totally mess up your car by using this as a guide to install anything. This can result in serious bodily injury, death, dismemberment, sexually transmitted diseases and so forth to you and anybody else in case of an accident resulting from failure to take safety precautions and/or following the instructions in this write-up.

Getting Ready:

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

Tools Needed:

Home air filter, preferably one that filters out pollen and dust and with wire mesh supporting it.
Scissors
Duct tape

Instructions:

1) Clean out your glove box.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/001.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/001.jpg)


2) 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.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/002.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/002.jpg)
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/003.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/003.jpg)


3) Remove the filter tray by pressing the tabs on each side of the tray.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/004.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/004.jpg)


4) 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 duct tape, so I settled on electrical tape. When you insert the filter in the tray, it'll need some coaxing and bending to fit correctly. Ensure that there are no gaps around the filter. Store the rest of the large filter in a closed area, away from dust.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/005.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/005.jpg)
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/006.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/006.jpg)


5) 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.
http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/thumbs/007.jpg (http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/interior_filter/007.jpg)


6) Enjoy your clean air!

The first time I read through the post I thought "Great, when my filter needs replacing, this is what I will do" I did not realize that the tray is delivered empty!

Thanks for the great tip. Filters from Toyota are $20 each.

.... One weekend when I was saiting for my dealer to take care of one in a series of three oil changes I went for a walk to the local hardware store, and just looked around. One of the things that I remembered that I wanted to do was put a cabin filter in my xB. I was going to get the dealer unit, however I have a severe sinus problem at times, and the stock filter is just not going to handle my needs. I went looking for filter that would handle dust, and smoke as well. I found that I could get one that exceeds my needs for about $20.00. I cut to fit and taped to match, then on my way home I noticed how much of a difference it made. It took all of about 15 minutes, but I also had a phone in the middle of it too.
Anyhow I just thought you all might want to know that if your cabin filer is still not working the way that you want to, then maybe you need to get one that handles smoke, and dust.

Dino.

i made my own today out of a peice of filter media from my fish tank and about 15 bounce dryer sheets. it works awesome a really freshens the car up. just gotta see how long it lasts now. :wink:

bounce sheets thats awesome lol.

i made my own today out of a peice of filter media from my fish tank and about 15 bounce dryer sheets. it works awesome a really freshens the car up. just gotta see how long it lasts now. :wink:

Does it give a much softer ride now? :lol:

i made my own today out of a peice of filter media from my fish tank and about 15 bounce dryer sheets. it works awesome a really freshens the car up. just gotta see how long it lasts now. :wink:

Does it give a much softer ride now? :lol:

on a more serious note....does it clean the air or just freshen it?

and are the bounce sheets a perfct fit ur do u have to cut them?

Jeff

good find.i have the same prob with a funky smell..imma definitely get a good filter..anybody recommend a specific one? links?

Toyota filters cost about $20 each. The preceeding FAQ was to use a standard furnace filter.

i just made a cabin filter for my xa following these instructions. it's so easy to do, i don't see why anyone wouldn't do this.

Hi,

GREAT suggestion !!! Would NEVER have known about this one....

I used 4 fabric softner sheets 2 on top, 2 on bottom.... In between I used 2 fish tank filters (baggie style about 3.5 inch x 7 inch) in which I poured in a small bag of activated charcoal (included in each box for each filter element) and then stapled the seam closed (took about 8 staples or so).

I fit the filter sandwhich into the filter frame by hand.

Then reinstalled per instructions and put it back together.

Man will my wife be happy !!! She is a fabric softner sheet fan !!!


Dave

im in the computer biz and a soft filter like fome comes with the mother borad(for packing) thats what i used cut it to fit. i might try the fabric softner in there also, its like a free air freshener.

I made mine a few days ago for about $5 bucks, I got a medium grade filter from Home Depot. They also have small carbon inserts you can buy for air purifiers, baby room air cleaners etc for a few bucks. Luckily the girl who rang me up couldnt find the price so I got it for free! I do have one question though. I put it in and it works great however I was wondering which direction the air flows in that space, does it come up from down below or does it come from up top through the engine bay? This will allow me to know which way my air filter should face. Thanks

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)

am i to beleive that scion would sell us a car with no air filter at all? or am i just not reading right at 11:15 pm? if so, i am marching into work tommorrow and having one installed for the full price of whatever toyota charges for this service, lol

yeah , cars havent had filters for years. it's not standard and kinda newfangled.

Scott, what amazes me even more is that Toyota/Scion thinks their $.99 filter is worth $20...

Scott, what amazes me even more is that Toyota/Scion thinks their $.99 filter is worth $20...yeah I mean i could get paying 10.00 but 20? they're smoking some mighty good stuff.

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)


checked two walmarts and neither had this item , damn.

. they're smoking some mighty good stuff.[/quote]

Yeah.. but the filter takes care of the smoke and smell
:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)


checked two walmarts and neither had this item , damn.

Got one for about 10 dollars @ Home Depot. Installed in less than tem minutes. Also picked up some kinda smelly thing to stink the car like an ocean breeze. Don't think the dryer sheet will actually pass any kind of air thru it.

i would think a dryer sheet would flow well. that or maybe some liquid air freshener and just pour it in.

Swiffer sheets work good too, help grab more dust...

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)


checked two walmarts and neither had this item , damn.

Just bought the same one at Home Depot for 10 bucks... you can get 6 filters out of one peice... so roughly $1.66 per filter as opposed to Toyotas $20 !!!! Great find!

I made mine a few days ago for about $5 bucks, I got a medium grade filter from Home Depot. They also have small carbon inserts you can buy for air purifiers, baby room air cleaners etc for a few bucks. Luckily the girl who rang me up couldnt find the price so I got it for free! I do have one question though. I put it in and it works great however I was wondering which direction the air flows in that space, does it come up from down below or does it come from up top through the engine bay? This will allow me to know which way my air filter should face. Thanks

In the tC it flows downward... I am guessing it would be the same setup for the xA. I just pulled the tray out and stuck a peice of paper in to see which way it was blowing... watch out for the fan blades though :P

Scott, what amazes me even more is that Toyota/Scion thinks their $.99 filter is worth $20...

what's even more amazing is that they will put a tray for a filter, but not put the filter in it... and then not tell us that there is an optional filter....

all this time, i thought cabin filtering was a standard thing... just like having a dash that lighted up... i guess not. gonna go to walmart tomorrow for this. if they dont have it, its off to home depot.

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)


checked two walmarts and neither had this item , damn.

Just bought the same one at Home Depot for 10 bucks... you can get 6 filters out of one peice... so roughly $1.66 per filter as opposed to Toyotas $20 !!!! Great find!


What's also cool about this filter is since you can make 6 filter assemblies out of one package, your filters should last you a year and a half when you replace them every 3 months!!! $10 for a Wal-Mart filter that lasts you a year and a half versus the Toyota OEM filter for $20. For the OEM filter over the course of a year and a half and changing the filter every 3 months, you're looking at wasting $120.

IF only I could find this , i've checked multiple wal marts all to no avail . ARGH!!!

IF only I could find this , i've checked multiple wal marts all to no avail . ARGH!!!

Got mine at Home Depot

Curious...

Which mod is better... the first mod for the cabin air filter or the current one (which of course seems to be more appealing to my eye)??

Let me know.. just want a difference if there is any... it is air by the way..

Keep in mind that the filters being chopped up for this are only MERV 10 or so, and aren't suitable for getting the most annoying fine particles out of the airflow, only the larger particles.

To filter most allergens one really needs to move to a HEPA filter. Thing is, I'm not sure if the air system in the Scions is designed to handle the restriction of a HEPA rated filter...

(Here's a little information on filter ratings in general: http://www.pureairsystems.com/university_103.cfm )

I think most hepa filters will signifiacantly drop the airflow.

i made my own today out of a peice of filter media from my fish tank and about 15 bounce dryer sheets. it works awesome a really freshens the car up. just gotta see how long it lasts now. :wink:

when adding dryer sheets, make sure it's ON TOP of the filter material... for anyone else that wants to try it. I put it under the filter material and all these white particles started flying out of my air vents... ____.... my car does smell nice though.

Actual size of filter needed is 7-15/16 x 8-1/5 x 5/8. The wed absorber works great, as stated before, and 6 per filter. With the charcoal, should get rid of most odors. The air flows down through the filter, so the carbon filter should be on bottom so the air is already filtered when it hits the cardon one. Also I worried about breaking the box to get it by the side tabs, so I took out the glove box by prying it off its clips in each corner, (after opening the door a little (used wide bladed screwdriver. covered with felt to protect bottom edge of glovebox), and then it comes right out. The tabs on the side are tapered, so to get it back together, pop it on the bottom clips, and just close with steady pressure. Works great. Have to try it out on a drive by a cattle yard in a couple of weeks to see how the carbon does its job.

.... I do have one question though. I put it in and it works great however I was wondering which direction the air flows in that space, does it come up from down below or does it come from up top through the engine bay? This will allow me to know which way my air filter should face. Thanks

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/interior_filter/004.jpg

See the black curved/ triangle areas in the image from the original instructions... They are the seals on the air circulation system. When you've got the glovebox removed, switch the ignitiion on and turn the fan on. You will see that in this image ( and my 05 xB) that the air is drawn inward and upward from behind the glovebox towards the vents.

I believe that means you should install your filter with the green filter element down and the charcoal element facing up.

ALSO.... when you have the filter holder out, it has an arrow indicator and the word UP imprinted on it. This corresponds with its orientation in the space as well as the direction of the airflow.

-John Y.

watch the fans...lol..i thought you were joking :P

Does anyone who has experience with putting a filter in their xB have anything to say about how it decreases air flow in the cabin? Does it have impact on how well the AC works?

Does anyone who has experience with putting a filter in their xB have anything to say about how it decreases air flow in the cabin? Does it have impact on how well the AC works?

I've noticed ZERO change in the air flow with the filter installed. Just changed mine today - probably didn't need changing, but it was dirty (and cheap :silly: )
Earlier in this thread I believe the 'ifs, ands, and buts' of your question were addressed.

:clap:
thanks for the great idea!
my nose is so much happier!!!!

I've been driving for at least 6,000 miles with the filter mod and not once did I notice a big A/C change.

Well coming from a guy who had barely A/C in his first car, I think that this mod is coo and wont affect the flow of air that drastic.

I do want to try out the fabric sheet though...hjehe

Oh yeah!! One last thing, I decided to check and clean my cabin-mod filter and found bugs, some dirt, and a some dust in it... how weird that it traps stuff :)

The computer that controls the A/C opens the "recirculate" flap on the air handler box so that when in the cooling range of the temp control (all the way counter-clockwise through about three or four clicks clockwise from there) the air is sucked from both inside and outside sources. The inside source air does not go through the filter...

This makes sense as the only filtering that is needed should be for the outside air, and this prevents a blocked filter from messing with the A/C...

And once more: The airflow in the xA/xB through the filter tray is TOP TO BOTTOM. If you want to verify that, look in the repair manual, or even better, simpler, and cheaper: Pull the filter tray out, turn the blower on high, and feel the airflow for yourself CAUTION: Don't stick anything into the fan - it is directly below the filter tray.

Now stop and think about this for just a moment. It is designed with a TOP DOWN flow through the filter so that the stuff the filter traps lays on the top of the filter instead of falling off the bottom every time the blower is turned off. Any filtration system that collects debris on the bottom of the filter is poorly designed...

Lastly, if you still don't believe, ask anyone who has a filter installed in the tray which side the debris is on - top or bottom. That's the side the incoming air is coming from...

(There are several other threads here on ScionLife where this is discussed at length.)

http://tijil.org/mod_man02.gifWow!

I changed my earlier input to the correct information. My hands must not be as sensitive as they used to be. Used a piece of paper this time, and the air is flowing down as you say (Tamos), and I went out and changed my filter around. Thanks for pointing that out.

My tC has a different glove box than described so far. Can someone explain in detail how to remove the glove box to access the filter box?


:loser: :loser: :loser:

dang i love this site, i laugh my butt off sometimes people sharing experiances...and its also awesome.

i love the "white particles coming through my air vents....but my car smells nice" :rofl: :rofl:

im gonna do this tonight or tomorrow

nice nice info, I ..like many others had NO clue there was no filter!!! :nope:


edit: i just did the Web Absorber version, NICE and easy...i added a dryer sheet in the middle will try it out tomorrow

Which way does the air flow... Ive had a 3M Filtrete one cut into my car for several months now, and looking at the pictures of the first post, it looks like mine is upside down compared to his/hers...

does air flow from the bottom ^ up... or from the top down???

Which way does the air flow... Ive had a 3M Filtrete one cut into my car for several months now, and looking at the pictures of the first post, it looks like mine is upside down compared to his/hers...

does air flow from the bottom ^ up... or from the top down???
*sigh*

Just a few posts above your question is your answer:
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1075440#1075440

That, and the post following it should provide you with the information you need.

i just wanted to put in my .0001 cent that why weren't we ever told that there were NO cabin filter included when we purchased the car?

Our Home Depot does not have the Web Absorber, will look for it at Wal Mart

consider it an easter egg!!

less than $7 @ wal-mert for the WEB filt≈r

great information very few people even know there is a spot for a filter.
I found mine at lowes WEB seems to be the brand name so dont look for the exact label seen in the pics the one i purchased is the same but it says oder absorber
it's the same green,black carbon and grill

Awesome ideas! I just bought a carbon/fiberglass filter for a kitchen range hood, and came across this. Guess what... the kitchen's gonna be stinky until I get to Home depot again!

I also have a can of gel air freshener. Used it on USAF jets (now there's a stinky place). The benefit is it lasts forever! I'm sure up to the time it's due a new filter.

Can't wait to pass those dumps now!

thanks for the inf it's really helpful i just got i giant air filter for free from one of the ac people the work on my work place i askhim 4 it said no ploblem went home cut it placed now im happy cause im getting cleaner air hehehe thanx everybody 4 the inf .

There's not reason to make a home made filter. I bought one at my local import parts store for about $7 last October.

The filter is the same size as a Toyota RAV4.

:P

$10 made me 6 for my Xb, and it has a carbon filter as well.

nice, i gotta do this soon

There's not reason to make a home made filter. I bought one at my local import parts store for about $7 last October.

The filter is the same size as a Toyota RAV4.

:P

Part# ???

I see you have a tC rather than an xA or xB.

Try here for the part numbers - there are multiple places where these have been posted over and over again on ScionLife, this is one of 'em:

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1412394#1412394

There is also a decent discussion of the filter in a tC there (and several other places on ScionLife, too!!!)...

Picked-up a WEB odor control filter for $9.97 at Lowe's like Satmax and cut into 7 filters.

Thanks.

I'd recommend skipping the dryer sheets for two reasons. First, it will shorten the life of your filter because it's adding the oil/syntheticwould ordinarily coat you clothes* to the cabin air or directly to the filter, depending on which side of the filter you put them on. Second, that stuff isn't very good for you to breathe. It's got all sorts of fun chemicals that are linked by some to pretty serious health problems.

*Dryer sheets work by coating the clothes so that they don't actually rub against each other's surfaces and don't generate static electricity. They don't absorb or eliminate odors, they just cover them. The perfume smell is the oils(whatever) evaporating and floating around. Obviously the world is full of pollutants but you're potentially putting yourself in regular concentrated contact with this stuff on your daily drive. Same is true of aerosol (and probably all) air fresheners.

Thanks for the how to on filter construction though. I hope to receive my xB in a week or two and I'll have to do this then (without the fabric softener!).

I picked up a Filtrete Allergen Reduction with a MERV 11 rating in 20x25x1 so I can get 6 filters out of it. I also got a Purity home air filter same size because it has a charcoal layer. I took the cardboard off of the Filtete after cutting it, the Purity has a plastic grid you can cut to size to make a good top. I then layered the Filtrete on top of the Purity with the plastic grid on top, duct taped all around and slapped it in. The plastic grid slips under the tray tabs great to hold it in. Hopefully this gives me some nice clean air!

I did this DIY mod a couple of weeks ago and it's the greatest, simplest mod I've done. I used all of the mentioned filter materials (charcoal to Hepa) in combination and it allows me to have nice fresh air even when following a deisel. Thanks for the info. kudos to the mad scientist!

I picked up the webabsorber at target for 7.99. Very easy to cut to size. A very cool and quick DIY.
Thanks to all! Like almost everyone else I didn't know there was no filter included.

.... ... the stock filter is just not going to handle my needs. I went looking for filter that would handle dust, and smoke as well. I found that I could get one that exceeds my needs for about $20.00...

In selecting the filter material, one should consider its resistance to air flow and surface area. The OEM filter is made of a material that offers the least resistance to air flow, and this material is then pleated to double its surface area.

A home-made filter made of superfine media that handles smoke, and made from a flat media such as cut from furnace and air conditioning filters, is going to offer higher resistance to air flow and will also plug up with material sooner, compared to the OEM filter.

I have noticed that my xB with OEM cabin filter already has poor natural air flow from the vents. At 60 mph the flow in the xB is much less than what comes from my Mazda truck vents. At 60 mph the xB's flow is adequate for changing the air, but not adequate for keeping the interior comfortable with the windows up in 75 degrees. As a result, I must use the xB's fan to boost the ventilation air flow.

Substituting a less efficient media for the OEM filter reduces the already poor air flow, and requires more use of the fan, while putting a stronger load on the fan than the OEM filter. If home-made filter media causes the fan to be used for simple ventilation at high speeds, and makes the fan work hard to force air through dense media or media that is quickly plugged up, then the fan will not last as long as it might otherwise.

This is what the filter looks like if its been stuck in there - and nobody has serviced it! :silly:

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7378/filter6zq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/8935/filter27rt.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Off to find some filter stuff!!!...

Actually, the WebSorber offers much more airflow than stock, which is probably why the dealers reccomend against putting the Toyota filer in the tC due to "cooling issues". So the home depot variety is obviously not as aggressive of a filter. I can tell no difference in airflow with it in as without one. Mine does not get NEARLY as dirty as I have seen in others pics, but the twin cities has pretty clean air for a metro area.

... I used all of the mentioned filter materials (charcoal to Hepa) in combination and it allows me to have nice fresh air even when following a deisel...

Is that with or without the fan?

... I used all of the mentioned filter materials (charcoal to Hepa) in combination and it allows me to have nice fresh air even when following a deisel...

Is that with or without the fan?

i always have the fan on one click, before and after my cabin filter. i will however make it
a point to turn off the fan and see if it restricts....now it's just a matter of following a school
bus....i'll keep you posted. but as of the incident mentioned above, i was cruising behind
a big deisel truck doing 65mph and i opened the lever to fresh air just to see how well this
filter system and i was gladly surprised because it didn't stink up the car so i was excited

just bought my funace filters they were 4 for 50 cents in the clearence isle at walmart later ill cut one

Update ^^^^^^
and it's been a couple of months but I've had plenty of experience from the heat, combined w/ closed windows, fan ON or OFF.
so the verdict is this, w/o fan ON....it doesn't flow as much BUT since I never had a filter before.....I couldn't compare my experience.

I have followed numerous school busses w/ the fresh air vent open.....IT'S ALL GOOD! no nasty smell.

awesome post. i just cut a filtrete filter down to size, sprayed it down with citrus oil, and now my xb smells oh so fresh! just be careful if your filter has the wire reinforcement...i put two holes in my hand. the wires are super sharp after cutting them with wire cutters!

I just did this last night. It was the first 'mod' I've done and it was very easy thanks to the pics.

I was really going to buy the OEM filter from the dealer, since I didn't like the Filtrete DIY filters. Looks too homemade IMHO. Also, I was going to use the OEM filter as a template. Then, I saw the Web Absorber DIY filter, and it looks just as good as OEM (yea, I know, who cares...well, I do). Plus, it has charcoal, which OEM doesn't.

I went to Walmart today and didn't see the Web Absorber. I almost walked out for Lowes or Home Depot. Then, in the clutter of filters, I saw a similiar filter set made by Dupont. It is called the 3-way Odor Control Electrostatic Air Filter (series 7650). It has the grid, filter, and charcoal as well as 4 clips to hold it in place. It says it has Microban, which supposedly fights odor-causing microbes...not so sure about that one.

It is 20"x25" and cost $9.88 plus tax...that fits 6 filters. For the price of one from the dealer ($20), I will have 12! With charcoal! That's what, a 3 year supply?! However, I will probably lose the leftover pieces, unless I keep them precut in the car. I will reuse the grid and clips; just replace the filter and charcoal.

Oh, yea...I just ordered the car the other day. But I already ordered floor mats and have the cabin filter ready. :lalala:

First off, great info in this DIY section...I just did this today...thanks to all who contributed. My allergies are pleased with this quick mod and so is my wallet.
I purchased a web filter from home depot and as I was walking away, I spotted this air freshener (also made by web) that is designed to go inline with the filter in your house and freshen the entire home. I figured since my $15 air spencer freshner wasn't doing a great job in my car, why not give this $2.xx thing a try.
There were many scents to choose from: coconut, vanilla, fresh breeze, etc. I opted for melon.
Anyways I got home and trimmed the filter and freshner then placed them both in my car and I nearly gagged. The smell was so intense. Needless to say I used too much the first time. I would only recommend using one strip of the gel...any more than that is just overkill and will get old real quick.
Overall I am pleased with the results. I paid a total of $14 and change. I probably wont have to purchase another filter or freshner for atleast two years (except maybe to try another scent)
Everyone loves pics so I snapped a few. :P
http://i5.tinypic.com/243eqoi.jpg
http://i2.tinypic.com/243ett4.jpg
http://i3.tinypic.com/243ex4h.jpg
http://i5.tinypic.com/243exvp.jpg

thanks for the info. i will install this today

Great info about the gel strips. I just need to decide what flavor.

(Keep in mind that SOME 'scent stuff' will put a hard-to-remove film on the inside of the windows as it 'distills' out of the air...) :(

(Keep in mind that SOME 'scent stuff' will put a hard-to-remove film on the inside of the windows as it 'distills' out of the air...) :(
Hmm, good tip. I never knew that.
I would like to point out to anyone thinking of using this gel stuff...this stuff is seriously F*ing strong!!!!!!!
Although I have two strips on the filter in the pics, I'm currently only using half a strip. I started with four (big mistake) then I tried two, then one and finally half of one.
I guess it depends on personal prefference, but this should be used sparingly. The good part about using it though is that it doesnt seem to linger too much or overwhelm you like a rounhouse kick from Chuck Norris when you climb into your hooptie. That said, cant wait to try out the other flavors :P

did the DIY and it works great...

I read this tech article for the first time last night, ran out to the xB, and pulled out the glovebox/filter housing.

I'll be stopping at Lowes after work to pick up a suitable air filter to pop in there to get clean air. I still can't believe that Scion sells us these cars new w/o a cabin air filter but they include the holder.

this should be made a sticky

It's even better than a sticky, it's in the tech section...

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/

LOTS of good info there... :)

Tomas

I too went to Walmart and did some digging for the WEB Absorber filter. It is still available in limited numbers. My good friend who happens to work there, did a search and found that the WEB brand is being restocked as a DuPont brand filter kit almost identical to the WEB. It has the same design and PRICE just a different look.

In addition to the product replacement, I took a close look at the directions on the filter packaging. For the airflow on the car system the layers should be assembled as follows for optimal filter performance and airflow. The green gauzy layer should be placed in the tray first with the reinforcement threads on top facing you. THEN place the charcoal layer on top of that, followed by the black grid piece. This is the first mod I've done. Took 5 minutes. I'm now going to tackle the cup holder LED mod. Hope this info helps! Also the filter is 9.97 at all Walmarts. Enjoy!

(Previous Post)

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!




_________________
Josh Forschen
2005 Scion xA RS1 #1517

The green gauzy layer should be placed in the tray first with the reinforcement threads on top facing you. THEN place the charcoal layer on top of that...
WRONG.

The airflow in the Scion cars is TOP TO BOTTOM through the filter tray.

From the manufacturer's instructions: Verify airflow direction of system before installing filter. Place the filter in your furnace/AC system. Make sure to insert the filter so that airflow enters the green side first.
That means that in the Scion filter drawer the green layer is ON TOP of the carbon layer (the particulate filter comes first, then the odor filter).

Sorry!

Tomas

I know I previously posted buying the DuPont, but the next day I saw the Web Absorber for $5.00! If it is being discontinued, I'm going back to stock up!

I returned the DuPont because they appear to be very different filters. The Web Absorber has a less dense filter (but has a higher MERV rating, 9), and it looks like it will restrict air flow MUCH less than the DuPont. Hard to explain, but there was an obvious difference. It comes with 5 hooks instead of 4. The DuPont looks pretty dense, while having a lower MERV rating of 8. After seeing the two side-by-side, I had to choose the Web Absorber for the above reasons. Someone else might prefer the DuPont.

Plus, the Web Absorber was cheaper. :)

Well I know what I'm doin' when I get home!

I did this mod with the Web Absorber about two weeks ago and in all honesty see no difference in the odors coming in the car. I get behind a diesel and I smell it right away. All the other smells of the great outdoors seem to come right in. Skunk, cow ____, dead animal, oil burning Ford, Chinese resturant and others have been quite noticable this week. I'm glad the filter only cost $5.

Im going to do this mod now, I can't belive I hav'ent done this yet.

Well I have a 2207 Yaris sedan,and I had to do the same thing with mine,It dosnt seem to filter outside air,only inside air when you have it on recirculate,weird design for the fan to vent movment.Anyway now it will not get dusty inside the car as fast,as the filter will filter most of the air when on recirculate,so if there is an odor in the car,just switch from fresh to recirc.OHYA,JadeStrada,you are super hot,I live in ATL,GA,but I was born in Philly,Im 26 Italian Male,I would love to talk with you.
On a lighter note,here is my car
http://www.yarisowners.com/forums/index.phpact=module&module=gallery&cmd=si&i?mg=93

or ill try this
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ecooce/P1110013.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ecooce/P1110002.jpg
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ecooce/115mph.jpg[/img]
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/ecooce/TRD1.jpg

Well I have a 2207 Yaris sedan,and I had to do the same thing with mine,It
dosnt seem to filter outside air,only inside air when you have it on recirculate,
weird design for the fan to vent movment.

If installed in the "filter drawer" above the fan, it filters the outside air before it gets to the fan on
the xA/xB. It appears that the 2006.5 xB MAY have provision for a second filter to filter
recirculated air, also. ( I say "may" because I have not seen it in person.)

Seems odd the Yaris, especially as a newer design, would take a step backwards.

Tomas

Here's a dumb question...how exactly can I tell if I have a 2006.5 xB? I purchased mine just last month. Also, what are the differences between the previous releases besides steering wheel audio controls?

If your xB came with the steeringwheel audio controls, it is a 6.5.

Tomas

sweet!

I thought it a bit odd when Tomas posted about my reply to this thread. He's dealing with the 2004 manual. I have a 2006 .5 version. I tested the airflow myself. And indeed the filter offers no benefit with outside air. Does wonders for recirculated air. But I defer to the "All Knowing" TOMAS who it seems loves to post "WRONG" everywhere. I guess taking my xB to the dealer and asking was WRONG too. Peace and good luck to all. **The filter does seem to decrease the cabin dust problem which is quite noticable with the black and grey interior.

I thought it a bit odd when Tomas posted about my reply to this thread.
He's dealing with the 2004 manual. I have a 2006 .5 version. I tested the airflow myself. And
indeed the filter offers no benefit with outside air. Does wonders for recirculated air. But I defer
to the "All Knowing" TOMAS who it seems loves to post "WRONG" everywhere. I guess taking
my xB to the dealer and asking was WRONG too. Peace and good luck to all. **The filter does
seem to decrease the cabin dust problem which is quite noticable with the black and grey
interior.
Hey, Dave, I'm looking at the '06 manual, same as you, and the repair manuals, the TSBs for
the system, and the 2006 'change info' publication for dealers.

Take a look at pages 104 through 106 of your manual where it tells you about cleaning/replacing
both filters, and mentions that if dirty it could affect FRESH air (not just recirc).

Also if one just looks in the repair manuals (pick a year, any year) one can look at the air
handler component breakdown and see that outside air enters from the top, goes through the
filter drawer, through the fan, into the heater/air conditioner cores, and to the output mix box
where it is sorted out as to which vents it comes out of.

If the input mix box is set to recirc, the air flap just below the filter drawer, and above the fan,
opens and air is sucked in there, bypasing the outside air filter in the drawer.

In the '06s, there is supposedly a second filter to filter recirc air at the recirc intake, as shown
in the below manual page.

Not having an '06 xB I'm taking Scion's word on that since I haven't seen the recirc air filter in
person.

Unless your box sucks air in the dash vents and blows it outside, the filters, both of them,
come before the fan. Flow is in the intake in front of the windshield, top down through the fan
body, out the left side of the fan body through the A/C evaporator, into the vent mix box,
through the heater core, and out through the selected vents.

If recirculated input is selected, the recirculate flap on the front of the blower assembly is
opened, and air is sucked in there, from the vehicle interior, and down into the fan, etc.

"Filter 1" is outside air, "Filter 2" is recirculated air.

http://tijil.org/xb_OM_cabin_filters_06.gif

You can also take that 'attitude' and tone it down, too, Dave. :no:

Tomas

I've installed filter #1 on my 06 xB (it is a RAV4 filter which fits xB perfectly).
But I can't figure out where filter #2 woudl attach on my car. There doesn't seem to be a place for it. There is a fabric flap at that location but I don't see whare a filter would go in.

I might have to take a second look one of these days. But I was mostly concerned with filtering outside (dusty) air coming in. And that is what filter #1 does. ;)

Yeah, I have both an'05 xB and an '06 xA, which use the same heater/air conditioner (and
have the same Owner's Manual instruction), and I can see no difference in the front cover of
the blower assembly between the two where such a filter would attach.

That's the key, though, is that I understand that "Filter 2" "attaches" to the front, not that
there is anything it "goes into."

Perhaps "Filter 2" comes with some sort of plastic frame/cage/thing that holds it to the front
of the blower cover, OR perhaps there is an alternative blower cover that takes a filter.

We've asked several time foe anyone with "Filter 2" installed to provide a couple of pics, and a
part number, if possible, but so far have no takers.

I'd love to see a "Filter 2," because if there is such a thing, It would likely fit my '05, too.

Just for balance, here is the manual page from my '06 xA manual... :)

http://tijil.org/xa_OM_cabin_filters_06.gif

Tomas

This will be my first mod...when I get my xB on Saturday...

Tomas,you are right,th filter does filter both,fresh and reciculated air,I did notice today,or didnt notice any funcky smells,I pass this recycling plant everyday,and no weird smells what so ever.I just cant beleive Toyota would sell any car without an air filter,but I guess it saves them million,and saves face by not telling you that you need to pay 35.00 for one,thats what they wanted to charge me,thanks,but no F*in thanks.

Dont be too hard on them ecooce. Scions are their low end cars, so I don't see this as unusual that they are trying to savea few bucks.

As far as not telling you about the missing filter and you spending 35 bucks, that doen't make much sense either. Even if the car came with that filter, you would have to replace it after a year or two anyway. So, you would be spending that 35 bucks anyway. Thing of you initial install of the missing filter as a "really early filter replacement" :D

Tomas: what you say about FIlter #2 makes sense. I would install one too if someone gave me that filter so I could see how it attached to the front of that air intake. I suppose that since RAV4 uses same filter #1, I could ask the Toyota parts dept. to see if RAV4 has the filter #2 shown in the parts breakdown.

WOW@ i was woundering why the car was so dusty inside im going to to this with both of my xb's Thanks forthe info!!!!!! :bow:

Got a Web Absorber at Target in Canoga Park, CA today for 7.99. Thanks for everyone on the DYI project!

At least I'm fairly certain he may be wrong with the filter installation....


I just got my xA this past Tuesday (sept 26th) and just bought and put in my DIY filter today. I bought the filter with the carbon layer and plastic grid, not by Web but by DuPont. After very careful and tedious inspection of the filter itself the air flow, as per the filter instructions, is suppose to be through the carbon layer first then the green filter layer, then through the black plastic grid (which it's only function is to hold it all together instead of being sucked down the fan, much like the filter tray's open grid on the bottom). Therefore, the proper instillation is to install the green filter, then the carbon filter on top... the black grid is now useless (due to the filter tray already having a built in system to keep the filter in place), except to place on top it hold it all in...

Now unless I misread the package, I do believe this is the proper installation... just to make sure, I think I'll run across the way later tonight and double check a few new, still in the plastic, filters on the shelf at wal-mart.

Yes... I went back to Wal-Mart, and definitely the airflow should pass through the carbon filter first, then the blue electrostatic filter... At least for the DuPont Model of this filter setup

I'll second (or third, or fourth - I haven't been counting) the request to have any who can solve the mystery of filter #2 speak up - especially with pics. When I put in my filter #1, I couldn't figure out what the heck the manual was on about, unless it was that weird little flap mentioned by Tomas and Peteski.

No, that 'flap' is the seal for the recirculate air path - it opens inward to allow recirculated air to be sucked in there. A filter (#2) would go in front of that if there is a filter #2... :)

Tomas

That's what I thought. I'll have to take another look at it, but the first time around I sure couldn't figure out how a filter would go in there... your notion that it's got a bolt on replacement frame (or something like that) makes a lot sense.

wtf..i bought the stuff today to put in a filter and BAM i have a filter in it already..its not even dirty but imma go ahead and do the diy just cause i wanted to do it after i read this!

So yours actually came with a filter in it already? That's pretty rare - you should take a pic!

yeah mines and 04 and that filter looks like a peice of $%*^

so i just took it out and did the diy. ill save it for later use or soemthing tho since its not even dirty.

does the air for the ac come through this filter?

does the air for the ac come through this filter? Yes, at least partly.

The filter in the filter drawer filters ALL outside air coming into the heater/air conditioner fan body.

When your temperature knob is set to any of the area of it's dial with blue markings, recirculated inside air is is added to the mix, and that air is not filtered by the filter - it enters the fan body just below the filter drawer, right behind the glove box.

If you set the incoming air selector to recirculate, none of the air is filtered.

Tomas..ty for the quick reply...I was stoopid and asked the question before reading the enitre thread....ty for not jumping on me about a premature post. Onward....as for killing nasty aromas....I like have put a couple of drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and put in ac vents...it makes the air smell good, plus it has an added effect....peppermint oil is supposed to stimulate you a bit so you do not get drowsy. I use peppermints with my students, they do not know why, and it seems to work with them Also does help me on long drives...I have been known to do 8-10 hour non-stop drives.

The only problem I have with most added scents, whether peppermint oil, dryer sheets, sprays, or the classic cardboard 'tree' hanging from the mirror, is the stuff that evaporates from those things so you can smell 'em leaves a film on the inside of the windows... Some are VERY difficult to get off...

Jus' something to think about. :)

Tomas

I use the Ozonium New Car Scent. Smells a bit funny when you first spray it.. but my car smells almost the same way it did when I bought it 2 years ago. I really like the smell once it clears out after spraying. You only use a very small spray at a time and it lasts for a long time, so less film on the windows.

Great write-up! I tried looking for the WEB filter that Satmax had used and couldnt find it. I ended up using a PURITY one-size filter from Walmart. It cost about $9, had the carbon filter and the plastic grid. I got 6 filters out of it, with some extra trimmings I threw away.

Really good info...its a lot better than buying at dealer for alotta reason and benefit

ill save it for later use or soemthing tho since its not even dirty.Keep it for a template!

BTW, what is the actual size for an OEM filter? Just curious...pics?

http://tijil.org/Scion_air_filter.jpg

====
xA/xB CABIN AIR FILTER: Toyota 88568-52010, WIX 24900, DENSO 4531014, Puro C38188, MicronAir TY00166P, Bosch #P3750, Valvoline C38188,
====

Toyota Echo (00-04), RAV4 (01-06), Scion (03-06)
Cabin Air Filter 88568-52010
Style: Air Filter Panel
Service: Cabin Air
Media: Batt/Fiber
Length: 8.504
Width: 7.716
Height: 0.709

Tom

xA/xB CABIN AIR FILTER: Toyota 88568-52010, WIX 24900, DENSO 4531014, Puro C38188, MicronAir TY00166P, Bosch #P3750, Valvoline C38188,
Pics and p/ns too!!!
Tomas = a veritable Niagara Falls of knowledge! :bow: Thanks!

is that the second filter or the first?

That is the "first" (outside air) filter. I have yet to see ANY example or even any P/N for the "second" (inside air) filter. Neither my '05, nor '06.5 Scion have any place to PUT a second filter, but just the filter drawer above the blower (behind the glove box).

I guess I'm not a "believer" that there is such a thing as a second filter for the '03-'07 Scions. :)

Tom

I purchased the following for the glove box and have seen a drastic reduction of dust and etc on my dashboard
Auto Parts Warehouse (http://replacement.autopartswarehouse.com/parts/autopartswarehouse/quote.jsp?year=2006&product=R2060-141529&application=002461925&part=ACC%20Cabin%20Filter&dp=false)

{edited to clean up URL --Tomas}

That was an EXCELLENT find, Maria - I just ordered eight of the Denso filters for the price of two from my dealer - even including shipping...

(Now I gotta go back and fix that URL so it doesn't require horizontal scrolling...) :P

I end up dusting my dash about once every six months with the filter in, and the filters last me anywhere from 6 months to a year, each.

Tom

Just a quick note: The filters arrived in just three days, and are a perfect OEM fit... :D

Tom

I just did the filter mod. Not really a mod I guess, but I got a filter at Lowe's (the Web absorber) and installed it. Trickiest part was getting the glovebox off - will be easy next time - and finding some decent scissors.
I have the carbon on top but not sure it matters.......

Legitimately carbon should be on the bottom of the stack so that the air goes through the carbon filter last.

Tom

I'll do it the other way next time or when I check on it.
But for now better than nothing.

Maria rocks!
I just picked up 4 of those DENSO (perfect fit) filters. That'll last me for a while.

Excellent find!

Heh. Maria should get a 10% "Finder's Fee"... :D

Tom

I picked up the Dupont at Walmart for $10. The only WEB filters I saw at Home Depot were the electrostatic, and it was around $20 for the cheapest. They did have quite a few sizes available. The Dupont is also electrostatic, but has Microban and an odor reduction ingredient. I'll see how it works.

Also, there has been a lot of talk about air flow reduction, and while it may be of some concern, I honestly wouldn't worry too much about it. While I was running cables for my stereo, I noticed that all of the duct connections are pretty much free floating, with only open cell foam as the seal between ductwork. There is no interlocking or REAL sealing of the ductwork. I was able to pass my RCAs right through the foam that connects the ducts. So, basically, there is probably more airflow lost by those connections than you will ever notice between different types of filters. I would suggest trying to seal those connections up it you ever take your dash apart.
Has anyone else noticed that?

I have an 06.5 xB and I took a picture of the air box(?) so you can check if there is anything different between my car and yours Tomas.

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w103/Fran82_photos/Scion006-1.jpg

There is a hole where a bracket is supposed to screw in, but no real filter #2. There is a screen type material in the front if that's what they are talking about for the second filter.

I don't see any difference between your 6.5 and my 5.0...

So much for "second filter" stuff, 'eh? :)

Thanks for posting the pic up!!!

Tom

My understanding is the second filter snaps over the black area in the above photo where the recirculate flaps are. The black foam on the motorized flaps is used to seal the opening when only outside air is being pumped through.

The problem with that, Jan06xB, is that absolutely NO ONE on ScionLife, including all the dealers here, has ever seen such a filter...

That does not say they don't exist, but seeing that image of the 6.5 blower housing DOES show that there were no major changes made to it (and it looks exactly like the one in my 6.5 xA and 5.0 xB).

Still have a standing challenge for ANYONE who has information on the alleged second filter to give a part number, or a pic of it installed (other than the drawing in the owner's manual).

Tom

Great DIY. I added a custom cut filter to my tC. So far so good. Not as much dust on the dash as normal after a week. I will be replacing mine every so often as I live near softball fields where they rake and stir up dust every couple of days. Amazing how you can blow the dust off you car...

Thanks! :clap:

Does the one that Maria found fit a '06 XA?

Great find if it does.

Sure does, Aeon! (There's one in my '06.5 xA, in fact.)

Tom

Awesome!
Thank you.

:)

My girlfriend's sinuses thank you for making her a little less allergic in my box. Now I just have to make her love the outside....

Stupid question. Just got my filters that Maria suggested.
Which is up and which is down?

Do the pyramids face up or down?

I know... silly question.

I think Tom put them in his XA as well.

Thanks guys...

The side with the "flat edges" goes down, with those edges slipping under the little tiny sloped tabs to hold the filter in place and make a good seal all the way around. That means the pleats are "up."

When you stick the filter in the right way and get the edge all held down with the plastic tabs in the drawer, you will KNOW it's right. :)

Enjoy!

Tom

Excellent!
thank you so much for the quick reply :)

Da nada, Rick. :D

Tom

That was an EXCELLENT find, Maria - I just ordered eight of the Denso filters for the price of two from my dealer - even including shipping...

(Now I gotta go back and fix that URL so it doesn't require horizontal scrolling...) :P

I end up dusting my dash about once every six months with the filter in, and the filters last me anywhere from 6 months to a year, each.

Tom

where did you get them what site?

The post directly above that post, NJ. :P
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20753&start=120

When that post was first made,it lead to a listing for the Denso filters @ $7 each -

http://tijil.org/Denso_cabin_filter.jpg

- now it leads to a different brand at $14 each -

http://tijil.org/xB_NPN_cabin_filter.jpg

Tom

The post directly above that post, NJ. :P
http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=20753&start=120

When that post was first made,it lead to a listing for the Denso filters @ $7 each -

http://tijil.org/Denso_cabin_filter.jpg

- now it leads to a different brand at $14 each -

http://tijil.org/xB_NPN_cabin_filter.jpg

Tom

thnx man

For anyone making your own, be sure to tape everything up so there is no small airway for the air to avoid the filter other wise you will hear a very annoying whistling sound.

Advance Auto Zone has sold the Purolator C38188 cabin air filter for years and it is a exact fit.

Toyota Echo (00-04), RAV4 (01-06), Scion (03-06)
Cabin Air Filter 88568-52010
Style: Air Filter Panel
Service: Cabin Air
Media: Batt/Fiber
Length: 8.504
Width: 7.716
Height: 0.709

xA/xB CABIN AIR FILTER: Toyota 88568-52010, WIX 24900, DENSO 4531014, Puro C38188, MicronAir TY00166P, Bosch #P3750, Valvoline C38188

http://tijil.org/tom_icon.gif

Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil (approx $16.00 per tiny vial). A few drops on the carpet and the car smells wonderful for at least two weeks.

I'm a nut about clean windows and have not noticed anything other than the normal films.

Kerry

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)

by the look of it, you can make 6 filters out of using one.
how much is it from Wal mart?

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

Just wanted to echo the thanks to the OP rbloedow and also thank Satmax for their ideas on replacing this filter. I didn't even realize I had one until my Toyota dealer wanted to charge me $90 to "replace" mine because it was dirty. Of course as many of you know, there was never one in the car to begin with. So after doing a little digging, I found this post. $11 and a Web Absorber later I've got a new filter installed and enough for five more. Thanks all.

Great Post!! The only thing I would add, is make sure you have a good pair of snips because that mesh can make cutting a filter a pain in the neck and make it look like crap when its done-most sciossors will not work. Some industrial or commercial plumbing/HVAC retailers will actually cut filters to specs- complete with cardboard edges to avoid the jurry rigged look-and I mean no disrespect to the post hear just a little info from a heating and a/c guy

Cutting the plastic grid was a problem for me. Pieces of the squares would break when I cut them but not so bad as to effect the function.

Kerry

I bought an aluminum grid backed AC filter - talk about cutting problems I used tin snips and then I had to fold it into ripples - but it seems to work great and I even washed it out with water the last time I cleaned it.

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)

by the look of it, you can make 6 filters out of using one.
how much is it from Wal mart?

I just picked one of these up, and you can make 6 whole filters from it. In my area, it was about $10 at both Walmart and Home Depot.

My car already smells better, too.

Three drops cinnamon bark oil on the carpet makes it smell incredibly nice. It's mildly euphoric and has healing properties as well.

Kerry

The only problem I have with using scents in a car is that most of 'em have some sort of oil base (if not, they evaporate too fast) and that slowly evaporating oil base deposits itself on everything inside the car - including the glass where is is incredibly difficult to get off. :(

I'll just stick to "odorless" and forgo the extra cleaning problem. :)

I too am extremely fussy about my windows. I have been using the cinnamon bark oil for six months now and haven't noticed any film deposit. Three drops seems to last 2-3 weeks.

One thing that works for me is to use "the absorber," Wal-Mart, an awesome long-lasting chamois-like product and clear ammonia (I turn on a floor fan to exhaust the fumes). Such a cleaning last 2-3 months and when the windshield fogs up there's no (absolutely none) smears/streaks which always reveal that the window was only washed (not cleaned) the last time. I always use the defroster to clear up cabin fog rather than wiping it. When I lived in cold weather I recall holding my breath when first getting in the car until I started it and turned on the defroster so that my breath vapor didn't cling to the glass— does this mean I'm anal retentive?

Thanks for your support on this forum Tomas.

Kerry

so um... i noticed something. i saw this thread and decided to check my filter and see if it was cleanable or if i needed a new one... get this... there isn't even a freakin filter in the tray?!?! what the hell??

so i could be breathing in toxins and not know it... very comforting...

I too am extremely fussy about my windows. I have been using the cinnamon bark oil for six months now and haven't noticed any film deposit. Three drops seems to last 2-3 weeks.

One thing that works for me is to use "the absorber," Wal-Mart, an awesome long-lasting chamois-like product and clear ammonia (I turn on a floor fan to exhaust the fumes). Such a cleaning last 2-3 months and when the windshield fogs up there's no (absolutely none) smears/streaks which always reveal that the window was only washed (not cleaned) the last time. I always use the defroster to clear up cabin fog rather than wiping it. When I lived in cold weather I recall holding my breath when first getting in the car until I started it and turned on the defroster so that my breath vapor didn't cling to the glass— does this mean I'm anal retentive?

Thanks for your support on this forum Tomas.

Kerry

i was thinking of using some incents for a nice smell inside the car but i don't want smoke damage... but would be so nice...

Also, too many "layers" 15 bounty sheets and a filter or multiple filters could prevent air from getting through in an efficient manner, there is a certain cfm that has been calculated for our systems wether it be your home, business or xb

so um... i noticed something. i saw this thread and decided to check my filter and see if it was cleanable or if i needed a new one... get this... there isn't even a freakin filter in the tray?!?! what the hell??

so i could be breathing in toxins and not know it... very comforting...
Econo-Cars come without a lot of "optional" accessories - floor mats, lighted drink holders, upgrade head units, cabin air filters, etc.

It's just something that is an extra you add if you want it. :)

just glad I have a back seat....

I think you're right, incence smoke would stain the headliner and possibly deposit a small layer of corrosion on electrical contacts. My favorite is vanilla-amber.

Kerry

Nice info!


Thx




John

I think you're right, incence smoke would stain the headliner and possibly deposit a small layer of corrosion on electrical contacts. My favorite is vanilla-amber.

KerryDoes Tomas know?!?? :P

:lol:

We're watching...

http://tijil.org/PSTOC_av.gif

(Sorry for the double post, but Vanilla now has a little more amber, too...) :)

http://tijil.org/Vanilla_DRL01.jpg

Ok so i just made a filter for my xb and i was looking at the 2nd filter thats missing, and i noticed on the back of the glove box theres a piece of what looks like deadner. Could it be possible that piece acts as a filter/sound deadner?

The 2nd filter is a mystery to all of us.

Ok so i just made a filter for my xb and i was looking at the 2nd filter thats missing, and i noticed on the back of the glove box theres a piece of what looks like deadner. Could it be possible that piece acts as a filter/sound deadner?

It looks like shredded denim, right? It's a sound-deadening mat. I put a bunch of that under the carpet in the rear of the toaster, and I'm going to put a bunch under the carpet in the seating area. That, together with a couple layers of eDead did wonders.

Wow! I've had my Penny since March of '07 and I've had this DIY bookmarked for at least a year. Penny just went in for her 15K service and I can't believe I didn't do this a long time ago! Just recently I started noticing a moldy smell when I turn on the A/C but once I did this no more moldy smell! I went double sided with the filter and put one "Bounce" sheet in between for just a hint of that fresh laundry smell. MMM! Thanks to the original post. Well over four years old and this DIY is still serving happy customers!

am i to beleive that scion would sell us a car with no air filter at all? or am i just not reading right at 11:15 pm? if so, i am marching into work tommorrow and having one installed for the full price of whatever toyota charges for this service, lol

Thank god for this thread lol

I went into my dash today to fix some radio issues and was like wth lemme check that filter thing i read about

Sure enough...nothing lol

I got my xB second hand and my gf is ALWAYS sneezing with allergies HOPEFULLY this alleviates that

Thanks !

First of all, props to rbloedow for this great post!

I ran straight to Wal-Mart after I read this thread at work. I was about to buy a filter just like the one he showed in his pics when I saw something that might be a bit easier to install and have all the same pros as his air filter project.

I picked up the WEB ABSORBER. It's an insert made for home a/c units. This filter has an electrostatic filter with an adhesive layer and then an activated charcoal filter. The filter also comes with a black plastic grid and you can trim this filter to fit all size of ducts. I thought this would work perfectly for our filter trays so I brought it home.

Once I got the size figured out, I just started cutting with scissors. I trimmed up the black plastic grid and then layered the filters in order and placed the grid on top. NO tape needed. The tray's retaining pegs on the top of the tray held down the plastic grid. The filter was also thick and spongy enough that it fit like a glove and didn't bulge.

Here are some pics of the supplies and the finished product. I thought it looked rather OEM-ish after I was done!

http://img106.exs.cx/img106/5352/filter28do.th.jpg (http://img106.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img106&image=filter28do.jpg)

http://img143.exs.cx/img143/8799/filter15kx.th.jpg (http://img143.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img143&image=filter15kx.jpg)

I've used this setup and it works real well.

woah

Actual size of filter needed is 7-15/16 x 8-1/5 x 5/8. The wed absorber works great, as stated before, and 6 per filter. With the charcoal, should get rid of most odors. The air flows down through the filter, so the carbon filter should be on bottom so the air is already filtered when it hits the cardon one. Also I worried about breaking the box to get it by the side tabs, so I took out the glove box by prying it off its clips in each corner, (after opening the door a little (used wide bladed screwdriver. covered with felt to protect bottom edge of glovebox), and then it comes right out. The tabs on the side are tapered, so to get it back together, pop it on the bottom clips, and just close with steady pressure. Works great. Have to try it out on a drive by a cattle yard in a couple of weeks to see how the carbon does its job.

The above thread helped me a lot, it was very easy to remove the glove box by using a screwdirver at the bottom to gently pry it apart from the plastic hinge. I couldn't find the Web Absorber at Walmart but they had something exactly like it called "Purity"...$8.88 and you can make 6 filters, what a great diy!