How To Change Your Toyota Air Filter

It’s essential to perform routine maintenance on your Toyota to keep it running at its peak. That includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake service, and more. However, replacing the cabin air filter is one of the most commonly overlooked maintenance items.

Every Toyota built in the last two decades has a cabin air filter. When the cabin air filter gets dirty, it restricts clean air from entering the cabin. Your cabin air filter removes road dust, pollen, spores, and soot from entering the cabin. As a result, you breathe in fewer contaminants, and your car smells fresh.

 In addition to affecting the air quality you breathe, the filter also prevents the defroster, cooling, and heating systems from operating correctly. So, to keep these systems running at their peak and prevent unwanted odors, we recommend changing your cabin air filter at least every 15,000 miles. 

Your owner’s manual has the exact interval. However, your driving habits and the environment can affect how often you need to change the filter.

Tools You Need To Change Your Cabin Air Filter

We recommend you always wear protective eyewear when working on your Toyota. For this job, your protective glasses will help keep dirt and dust from entering your eyes as you work. We also suggest a pair of latex or similar material gloves. These protect your hands from getting dirty while keeping the dexterity in your fingertips. You’ll only need a screwdriver, most likely a Phillips head or cross point.

And, of course, you’ll want the new cabin air filter. You can find replacement filters at most chain auto parts stores. However, these stores often use aftermarket air filters, which we don’t recommend. We strongly suggest you use genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Toyota parts for all your maintenance and repair needs. 

Aftermarket parts only need to fit right and work to earn the label. These manufacturers aren’t held to the high standards as OEM parts manufacturers. You can consider an OEM part to be the exact same part used when your Toyota was first built. It’s made from the same materials, works to the precise standard, and is precisely the same size as the original. So, you can count on OEM parts to fit right, work properly, and last longer than parts produced by third-party manufacturers.

Longo Toyota’s parts department has an expansive inventory of cabin air filters at competitive prices. You can order your filter online, and we’ll have it ready when you arrive. Once you have what you need, you’re ready to begin.

Step 1: Remove the Glove Box Pin

Most cabin air filters sit behind the glove box. We recommend emptying the glove box before you begin to prevent it from spilling its contents when you remove it. Next, locate the pin on the outside of the glove box. Use your screwdriver to remove the screw holding the pin in. Then, simply slip the pin out of the hole on the screw arm. Make sure you put the screw someplace safe.

Step 2: Lower the Glove Box

Some glove boxes have a band that prevents the glove box from falling when you remove the pin. If you see a band, remove it and put it next to your screw. Next, you’ll need to gently squeeze both sides of your glove box to the inside. This will remove the tabs from the grooves that the glove box uses to slide open and closed. 

Your glove box will hang from its hinges at this point, so be careful not to push down on it and risk damaging the hinges. You should see the side of your cabin air filter fit snugly in its slot.

Step 3: Remove the Old Cabin Air Filter

Your cabin air filter is held in place by a cover panel. Squeeze tabs are found on either side of the panel to remove it. Once you remove the cover, gently pull out the old air filter. Be sure to note the airflow directional arrow, and remember, your old filter is likely filled with dust and debris. Your glasses will come in handy now.

Step 4: Clean the Filter Housing

If you have a vacuum cleaner with an attachment to reach small places, we recommend you use it to clean the filter housing. However, a damp cloth with a gentle cleaner will also do the job. 

Step 5: Insert the New Cabin Air Filter

Before inserting the new cabin air filter, confirm the airflow direction is correct. Be gentle. Your cabin air filter is delicate, and you don’t want to rip or break it. Once you have it in place, you can replace the cover panel.

Step 6: Put the Glove Box Back in Place

The next step is steps 1 and 2 in reverse. Raise the glove box and squeeze the sides to put the tabs back in their grooves. If you removed a band, put it back on now. Then, you need to return the pin and secure it with the screw. Now it’s safe to return the contents of your glove box.

Congratulations. You’re done.

Can I Get Professional Help To Change My Cabin Air Filter?

At Longo Toyota, we know not everyone has the time or inclination to perform maintenance at home. Even a simple job such as changing your cabin air filter can present problems. Parts can break, screws can get lost, etc. If you don’t feel like changing your cabin air filter at home, we can help. 

Our service center technicians have the training and experience to change your cabin air filter quickly and for much less than you might imagine. In most cases, we can perform this service during your routine oil change or tire rotation without adding time to your visit.

Schedule Your Cabin Air Filter Service in El Monte, California

If you can’t recall the last time you had your cabin air filter changed, it’s probably time to do so. Even if you don’t detect funky odors, your Toyota systems may not be operating at their peak. We invite you to schedule a service online. Pick a day and time that works for you, and let us handle the rest.

Cabin Air Filter Change by Ryan Gsell is licensed with CC BY 2.0

Tags: Air Filter, Toyota
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