DIY Cabin Air Filter

[BailOut]

This method will create 8 cabin air filters of the appropriate size (8.5x7.25x1") which should cover your filtration needs for 2 years. Assuming you have the the tools on hand the only additional cost is a filter that sells at any home improvement store for between $4 and $15 depending on your desired level of filtration. I prefer an allergen rated one that goes for $15 but even a cheap one is better than none at all.

Supplies needed: 20x30x1" central air style filter for a home, tin snips, duct tape, marking implement, measuring implement

Time: 30 minutes

Directions:

1) Lay the filter on a flat, clean surface and mark two lines along the length of it 8.5" from either side. This will leave an "alley" of 3" in the middle which is excess.

2) Starting at one edge of the filter follow the line you just created and mark it at 7.25" and 14.5". Now come in from the opposite edge and do the same. You should be able to make 4 of these 8.5x7.25" rectangles on each side for a total of 8, with 1" of excess remaining in the middle.

3) Use tin snips or an equivalent to cut out the 8 rectangles, ensuring you cut through all metal and all paper layers. If a little paper flakes off don't worry about it. Draw arrows to mark the air flow direction on the paperboard edge of each rectangle.

4) Use duct tape to enclose the side edges of each rectangle that are free, ensuring that you cover the top, side and bottom edges as you go. Try to not compress the filter material too much when you do this.

5) Store all but one of your new filters in a paper or plastic bag to keep them clean for later usage.

6) Remove the passenger side's lower glove box by pressing in on the right side and popping it out, then repeating the same for the left side.

7) Remove the filter tray's cover by pinching the 2 small parts on the right and pulling backward on the piece (this requires almost no strength so if it's fighting you you're doing it wrong), then pulling it away from the left side.

8) The filter fits in lengthwise. Match the airflow direction of the system, keeping in mind that air flows downwards as it is inducted by the fan right below the filter area. If you forgot to mark the air flow direction it's not the end of the world as most modern filters work in both directions. Insert the filter's rear-left corner first, then push back and sweep it to the left until both sides of the filter are in. It will be a tight fit and will likely cause a bit of flexing/compression on the filter. This is normal but try to keep it to a minimum.

9) Push the filter away from you until it is flush against the rear of the tray area. It will look like it's sticking out a bit but remember there is some clearance behind the cover you removed.

10) Replace the tray cover, left side first, ensuring that the right side snaps into place properly. Give the cover a light tug once it's reinstalled just to be sure it's not loose.

11) Replace the glove box.


You're done!

[YamilR]

very good DIY

[YarisTom73]

Nice DIY, you get half a dozen filters for the same $15 I paid for one Autozone Bosch. And, I think it filters even better than mine! Only one concern: are the airflow characteristics of our little fans anywhere near what you'd find in an average home furnace setup? In other words, would this filter stifle our car's ability to flow A/C or heat?

[BailOut]

Originally Posted by YarisTom73

Only one concern: are the airflow characteristics of our little fans anywhere near what you'd find in an average home furnace setup? In other words, would this filter stifle our car's ability to flow A/C or heat?

I don't have specific numbers for our car's ventilation blower but the drop in air flow once I installed one of my filters was quite low. This means while there is some load on the system it's not much at all.

Any filtration is going to impede the flow a bit.

[YarisTom73]

Agreed..I think perhaps your idea may actually flow better than the Bosch one! Next change, I'm trying your way.

[kimona]

Nice post!

[KSIbucky]

hey you know what also really works (if you have a warranty) go in and say that your a/c doesnt work

i did (i got a new compressor) but they also got me a new filter

[OgDogg]

If only I'd seen this before paying $25 for one at the dealership...

[kimona]

Originally Posted by OgDogg

If only I'd seen this before paying $25 for one at the dealership...

That's why it pays to do a search of the forum.

This information, plus reference to the Purolator and Bosch A/C cabin filters (about $10 each), can be found in numerous threads!

[Super_BQ]

Just to let others know that i've done this same DIY filter job for NZ/Aus/UK Yaris models. It appears the same spot behind the glove box however, the whole fan system is slightly positioned to the right side of the glove box making it not as easy to fit the filter in. I often wonder how even a hard factory fitted filter would even fit into the opening as the opening of the glove box isn't wide enough? Or do the factory cabin filters are the flexible kind?

BQ

[edisonfire]

which way should the air flow circulation go?

[SilverBack]

Nice DIY! One more reason to tell the dealer to shove it...

Originally Posted by edisonfire

which way should the air flow circulation go?

Air flows upward through the filter before reaching the vent openings

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by edisonfire

which way should the air flow circulation go?

Actually, flow is downwards. Just changed out my OEM filter and it was dirty on the top. Blower motor sits underneath filter and draws the airflow downwards to distribute air thru the system. Only thing above the filter is the fresh air intake.

So, if you get the OEM filter the arrow goes up because it says "UP", not flow. On my Beck/Arnley filter, arrow points down because it's talking about actual air "flow".

[edisonfire]

thanks dude

[blacksandiegovitz]

Cool post / good DIY . I was just about to do something about the cabin air filter , as I'm sick of that smell of "funk" lol

[mikenacarato]

i have a fram fresh breeze in there :)

[blacksandiegovitz]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

i have a fram fresh breeze in there :)

was that just a basic size cabin filter or is it made/listed to fit the yaris ???

[1stToyota]

Originally Posted by mikenacarato

i have a fram fresh breeze in there :)

I couldn't stand the musty wet dog smell coming out of my vents every morning any more, got real desperate and installed a FRAM FreshBreeze...smells like a little powdered baby in there now

The filter that I removed was a new Beck/Arnley...I'll save it for this winter.