Changed my cabin air filter at 24k

Climbitnow · May 7, 2012

I replaced my cabin air filter with a Fram Fresh Breeze CF10285. It has baking soda and activated carbon to clean the air. I'll do damned near anyting to protect my wife's extremely sensitive nose.:thumbs_up:

As you can see its hard to tell if the filter is dirty or its just the black colored activated carbon . The maintenance manual says to replace it at 30k but I decided not to wait. The bottom side of the stock filter is very dark compared to the Fram.

It was fairly easy to remove the glove box door and swap filters. Funny thing though, the stock filter had a arrow printed on the side pointing up as installed in the filter housing with the word 'UP' printed next to it. The FRAM had a direction arrow with the words 'Air Flow' printed next to it. The FRAM is installed with the arrow pointed down since this is the direction of air flow.

Tom

vanib · May 7, 2012

I replace the cabin filter every 2 years. In my case that would mean evey 10k miles.
Even if it looks clean, I just toss it out.

BTW, does the FRAM FRESH BREEZE have a smell to it?

I think some people might not know the direction of air flow; to me, UP is more intuitive.

RTexasF · May 7, 2012

A clean standard cabin filter is snow white on both sides so that one was due.

I think some people might not know the direction of air flow; to me, UP is more intuitive.

Good point. The aftermarket filter I put in went exactly the opposite to the one that came out. That was discovered after I put it in wrong naturally. A simple "UP" makes entirely too much sense.

Swiss · May 7, 2012

So, does the new filter feels better than the stock one? Any noticeable difference?

fnixrebrn · May 7, 2012

Climbitnow said:
The FRAM is installed with the arrow pointed down since this is the direction of air flow.

I bought the same filter, I put it with the arrow UP (opposite way)... Oops

.

vanib · May 7, 2012

fnixrebrn said:
I bought the same filter, I put it with the arrow UP (opposite way)... Oops .

If you plan on reversing your filter, vaccum it well first, Optionally, bang it on your head a few times and you will also remember better for next time

WJBertrand · May 7, 2012

Our local dealer is running a "special" on cabin air filter replacements - $80! That seems outrageous to me. I have not yet bought one for my Rav, but for my Lexus IS300 they only cost about $15 and take 5 minutes to swap.

marbillw · May 7, 2012

SO, Does anyone know which way the blower air circulates for sure ? One filter says arrow up and another says arrow to flow of air, which then would be arrow down if the air flow is down. All so, does it really matter ? Looking at the filter, it looks the same on each side to me.

JuneBug · May 7, 2012

marbillw said:
SO, Does anyone know which way the blower air circulates for sure ? One filter says arrow up and another says arrow to flow of air, which then would be arrow down if the air flow is down. All so, does it really matter ? Looking at the filter, it looks the same on each side to me.

The air flow is DOWN. When you take out an old filter, it will be filthy on the TOP. The confusing thing is the Toyota filter has an arrow pointing UP, showing the orientation of the filter. The aftermarket filters have an arrow pointing DOWN, showing the direction of air flow.

fnixrebrn · May 7, 2012

vanib said:
If you plan on reversing your filter, vaccum it well first, Optionally, bang it on your head a few times and you will also remember better for next time

To my defense, this was the first time I changed it myself... and yes, I did bang the filter on my head to remind myself for next time :wall.

Climbitnow · May 7, 2012

I haven't had very many miles on the new filter to gauge its effectiveness...but I worked in wastewater treatment plants for 36 years so my smell detector is shot. The wife will the one with the nose at our house. I think I'll change it every 10k to be safe.

Tom

vanib · May 8, 2012

I think that for regular cabin filters both side are the same. Just remember to put same way in if pulling it just to check.

Jaspher · May 8, 2012

It's good to replace the filter every year for freshness. I replace mine right before spring time every year. The Fram Fresh Breeze is really nice. You can actually smell the freshness.

Leorav4 · May 9, 2012

I bought my RAV 2011 new. Now, it has less then 10000 mil and 6 mo old. I did not use AC, before, but just few last days. And it already stinks inside. Not that bad, i can live with this, but just curious. Did anybody have bad smell so early? And what to do?
Thank you
Leorav4

vanib · May 9, 2012

May be a dead animal or rotten leaves in the cabin filter region. Check it out. Buy / "MacGyver" a cabin filter with carbon as discussed in this thread.
I never had any smell in my 2008 Rav4.

ToyRider · May 9, 2012

Leorav4 said:
I bought my RAV 2011 new. Now, it has less then 10000 mil and 6 mo old. I did not use AC, before, but just few last days. And it already stinks inside. Not that bad, i can live with this, but just curious. Did anybody have bad smell so early? And what to do?
Thank you
Leorav4

I am not trying to be a smartass here but sounds to me like you need some auto air fresheners and it may be long overdue.

Lizzrd · May 9, 2012

Leorav4 said:
I bought my RAV 2011 new. Now, it has less then 10000 mil and 6 mo old. I did not use AC, before, but just few last days. And it already stinks inside. Not that bad, i can live with this, but just curious. Did anybody have bad smell so early? And what to do?
Thank you
Leorav4

I know this smell... If it's vaguely reminiscent of cat pee? Every car I've owned with AC has had this. I've researched it over the years and I believe it's mold / mildew from condensation somewhere in the system from running the AC. I've only just recently begun using the AC in my new 2011, and in an effort to prevent it, I turn the AC off long enough before stopping to hopefully allow the condensation to dry...

I've found kits online that purport to eliminate/ prevent this... But installation was involved and pricey.

Sent from my Evo3D using AutoGuide.

Veliksam · May 9, 2012

It also helps if you leave the ducts open and not on recirculation when you park the car, that way it can get fresh air from outside and dry out the condensation. I have the same stink.

vanib · May 9, 2012

Is this stink also happening for those who have the Base models?
I never had this stink in any car (Acura, Toyota, Mazda)

I usually put the ac off 2 min before I reach my destination with the air still circulating from the inside. I figured that the coils are already cool enough so that it don't have to uselessly power if for 2 min.

ToyRider · May 9, 2012

Wow, no stinks here, haha sounds kind of funny but I will be on the nose hunt for these smells...interesting info guys and gals

Changed my cabin air filter at 24k

Climbitnow

vanib

RTexasF

Swiss

fnixrebrn

vanib

WJBertrand

marbillw

JuneBug

fnixrebrn

Climbitnow

vanib

Jaspher

Leorav4

vanib

ToyRider

Lizzrd

Veliksam

vanib

ToyRider

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