Changed my cabin air filter at 24k

Scout706 · May 9, 2012

I use A/C regularly

. . .here in Georgia, USA, and when parked outside, always leave the windows slightly down, weather permitting. I plan on getting vent shields soon. No problems with unexplained odors.

Veliksam · May 9, 2012

I never had this problem on my Prado. I guess it might be a Florida thing with this stink, perfect combination of moisture, heat, sun? Idk.

Lizzrd · May 9, 2012

veliksam said:
I never had this problem on my Prado. I guess it might be a Florida thing with this stink, perfect combination of moisture, heat, sun? Idk.

Nope. I'm in Virginia.

Sent from my Evo3D using AutoGuide.

ronbo1313 · May 9, 2012

I buy a white furnace filter when on sale for $2-$3 and use it to make my own cabin filters for RAV and Avalon. Cut and scotch tape to filter frame and works good for me. Amazing how much dirt in just one year is caught by the filter.:shrug:

ToyRider · May 9, 2012

ronbo1313 said:
I buy a white furnace filter when on sale for $2-$3 and use it to make my own cabin filters for RAV and Avalon. Cut and scotch tape to filter frame and works good for me. Amazing how much dirt in just one year is caught by the filter.:shrug:

Seriously? that is interesting....

I found this link might be helpful to some

How to Get Rid of Car Air Conditioner Odor | eHow.com

ravenuer · May 9, 2012

veliksam said:
I never had this problem on my Prado. I guess it might be a Florida thing with this stink, perfect combination of moisture, heat, sun? Idk.

Pardon my curiosity, but what's a Prado?

Veliksam · May 9, 2012

ravenuer said:
Pardon my curiosity, but what's a Prado?

I used to own a 2006 Toyota Landcruiser Prado, just Google and you will see, they are very off road capable. Here in the USA Toyota released it as the Lexus GX 470.

Truck57 · May 9, 2012

So under the 2 year Customer Care deal, would it be reasonable to ask my dealership to replace my cabin filter for free as part of my upcoming 15K (1 year mark) service?

keeton · May 10, 2012

Truck57 said:
So under the 2 year Customer Care deal, would it be reasonable to ask my dealership to replace my cabin filter for free as part of my upcoming 15K (1 year mark) service?

It's reasonable to ask, and they will be happy to do it, but it won't be free as part of the Customer Care deal. Toyota purposely made this a 2 year thing so they would just amount to oil changes.

ToyRider · May 10, 2012

keeton said:
It's reasonable to ask, and they will be happy to do it, but it won't be free as part of the Customer Care deal. Toyota purposely made this a 2 year thing so they would just amount to oil changes.

and rotating tires

vanib · May 10, 2012

ronbo1313 said:
I buy a white furnace filter when on sale for $2-$3 and use it to make my own cabin filters for RAV and Avalon. Cut and scotch tape to filter frame and works good for me. Amazing how much dirt in just one year is caught by the filter.:shrug:

I know that there is more space in the elements of a fibreglass furnace filter. I hope that you are NOT using these ones as it would let through a lot of dust into the RAV.

sean20202020 · May 10, 2012

vanib said:
I know that there is more space in the elements of a fibreglass furnace filter. I hope that you are using these ones as it would let through a lot of dust into the RAV.

There're much better furnace filters than fiberglass one.
3M Ultra Allergen is one of them.
It can make 4 cabin filters, costing $3~4 each.

I'll try soon.

Deanjet · May 11, 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 have had my RAV4 for the same amount of time, it still has that new car smell to it.

Swiss · May 11, 2012

Is this air cabin filter the same as the A/C filter (or pollen filter as we call it in Europe?)

vanib · May 11, 2012

The cabin filter is just behin the glove compartment. If your pollen filter is at the same location, then I would say it's the same.

pepepeter · Jun 4, 2012

vanib said:
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.

veliksam said:
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.

Lizzrd said:
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.

ToyRider said:
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.

Amazon.com: Air Freshener - Black Ice - 24 Pack: Automotive

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

So I too have suffered from the horrible musty/moldy odor that comes from the AC/vents. Not matter the remedy, it comes back. Believe me, I have checked everything (i.e., drain plug, cabin filter, leaves, etc, etc).

i recently have tried the "turn off a/c" before reaching your desitnation, but find this to be a headache and not always possible AND now to be an issue.

Most recently I did what the other threads have advised .. that is to dump some lysol (from the can) into the air vent located on the outside of the rav4, passenger side. It works, temporarily, but the reverse now occurs.. the smell is only there when I shut off the a/c before reaching the destination, as opposed to the smelling the odor within the first 5-30 seconds of switching on the AC. ?!?!?!?!? WTF?!?!?!?!

Instead I am going to take the route of using an AC cleaner that is a foam. I have googled this type of product and many claim to be the best (although not permanent, but the best). I purchased this from amazon

it is the only kind i was able to find with good reviews and that was a foam, not a spray. I figured a spray into the central vents would not be as efficient as a foam.

Has anyone else given this a try?

PS Sorry, I realize this should be in some other thread, but some of the post started to jump into this topic.

pepepeter · Jun 4, 2012

sean20202020 said:
There're much better furnace filters than fiberglass one.
3M Ultra Allergen is one of them.
It can make 4 cabin filters, costing $3~4 each.

I'll try soon.

That is a good idea to improve the filtration of particles, but be careful with these "high-end" filters... they are notorious for introducing additional stress and load on the AC unit(s) for houses. I dont know if the same would occur for an automobile's AC compressor, but my guess is yes!!

Bengoshi · Sep 10, 2013

Sitting at the dealer for oil change and the free inspection to see what is wrong or recommended. Tried to up sell me the fuel injection service for $90 and throttle body cleaner for another $90. Also recommended the cabin air filter be changed. They recommended this the last time also. But I took their previous advice on the filter 5000 miles ago and changed my own. Think the charcoal lined filter fooled them?

I noticed this and last time they are really trying to get more optional services done but they are also sending out lots more discount coupons too.

JuneBug · Sep 10, 2013

Bengoshi said:
Sitting at the dealer for oil change and the free inspection to see what is wrong or recommended. Tried to up sell me the fuel injection service for $90 and throttle body cleaner for another $90. Also recommended the cabin air filter be changed. They recommended this the last time also.

I got the exact same upsell back in August during the oil change. Same throttle body and fuel injector service, and they gave me a warning that the cabin air filter would need to be changed next time. Both cabin and engine air filters had been changed in April of 2012. They are looking for more profit anywhere they can.

normkol · Sep 13, 2013

" Think the charcoal lined filter fooled them?"

I know you were joking, but I doubt they ever checked the filter. They just go by what they see in their computer as to when they last changed it, if ever.

I've had places want to change filters that were in the car for two weeks. When I tell them that, they just don't know what to say.

Changed my cabin air filter at 24k

Scout706

Veliksam

Lizzrd

ronbo1313

ToyRider

ravenuer

Veliksam

Truck57

keeton

ToyRider

vanib

sean20202020

Deanjet

Swiss

vanib

pepepeter

pepepeter

Bengoshi

JuneBug

normkol

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