A good cabin filter

Joined
Oct 31, 2014
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1,250
Location
Pa, USA
About 7,000 miles ago, the dealer pulled the cabin filter and recommended a replacement. I declined due to the high cost. When I got home, the filter indeed had collected a lot of course dirt, but the fine dirt was not vary evident. I knocked off the course dirt and vacuumed the filter, trying to clean out between the pleats. Got that done to try to get 30,000 mile out of the filter. Sometime I have notice OEM parts can be reasonably priced, the oil filter is, but cabin filters , not so. It seems Toyota has 2 cabin filters parts for my vehicle, but since I have Limited, Toyota probably put the more expensive Carbon one in. Roughly, runs between $45-$50 a piece. It seems I can get an equivalent quality or even better aftermarket for much cheaper.
What do you think of this one: https://www.amazon.com/Installer-Champ-Premium-Breathe-Activated/dp/B07663VCT3/ref=sr_1_2?crid=T6Q5LGDEBEL8&keywords=cabin+air+filter&pd_rd_r=ab67db7b-9d24-42d2-90d0-7458f554d878&pd_rd_w=zlZdt&pd_rd_wg=JJ0y0&pf_rd_p=2e29b1cb-df80-427b-9f5c-8588d0e3131a&pf_rd_r=PSW6X7W12XER08Z9WRMZ&qid=1579364086&rnid=2941120011&s=automotive&sprefix=cabin+air+%2Caps%2C148&sr=1-2&vehicle=2017-76-1032-1399--9-6-6-19828-3881-1-1-3674-287-&vehicleName=2017+Toyota+RAV4

Seems good price that could the same if not better than the more expensive OEM.

As far as the Purolator Boss, it seems its a much better filter than the more expensive OEM at the price of the cheaper OEM. https://www.amazon.com/Purolator-PBC35667-PurolatorBOSS-Premium-Freshness/dp/B07LGS8CY5/ref=sr_1_15?crid=T6Q5LGDEBEL8&keywords=cabin+air+filter&pd_rd_r=ab67db7b-9d24-42d2-90d0-7458f554d878&pd_rd_w=zlZdt&pd_rd_wg=JJ0y0&pf_rd_p=2e29b1cb-df80-427b-9f5c-8588d0e3131a&pf_rd_r=PSW6X7W12XER08Z9WRMZ&qid=1579365036&rnid=2941120011&s=automotive&sprefix=cabin+air+%2Caps%2C148&sr=1-15&vehicle=2017-76-1032-1399--9-6-6-19828-3881-1-1-3674-287-&vehicleName=2017+Toyota+RAV4

The Fram one: https://www.amazon.com/CF10285-Fresh-Breeze-Filter-Hammer/dp/B001CEG90I/ref=sr_1_4?crid=T6Q5LGDEBEL8&keywords=cabin+air+filter&pd_rd_r=ab67db7b-9d24-42d2-90d0-7458f554d878&pd_rd_w=zlZdt&pd_rd_wg=JJ0y0&pf_rd_p=2e29b1cb-df80-427b-9f5c-8588d0e3131a&pf_rd_r=PSW6X7W12XER08Z9WRMZ&qid=1579365036&rnid=2941120011&s=automotive&sprefix=cabin+air+%2Caps%2C148&sr=1-4&vehicle=2017-76-1032-1399--9-6-6-19828-3881-1-1-3674-287-&vehicleName=2017+Toyota+RAV4
is a tab bit more than the 1st one listed.

Also, do you think they all are just good or better as the expensive OEM? Do you think I could get 30,000 miles out of all 3, if I keep at what I did before?
 
I think you could. The filters you listed should work just as well as the OEM. I have used Potauto filters with activated
carbon for the last several years and been very happy with their performance. I bring them in when its time for an
oil change, and my dealer has no problem installing them. I change at 20,000 miles which works for me.
 
I just put in a cheap carbon filter into the Camry about a year ago. No problems to report, and I think I paid $10 on Amazon. I'd rather do that four times as frequently than try and make a "better" one last four times as long... In the Sienna, I think it's gotten 3 or 4 cabin filters total in 205k miles. They always look pretty good when they get replaced.
 
I like the Fram Fresh Breeze better than oem. It cost less and does a good job with the carbon in it. I've had the current one in my Toyota for 40k so time to replace it.
 
I prefer the charcoal one myself.

The OEM charcoal cabin air filter for my wife's Audi is $26.81 or $21 for a Mann, who happens to make the OEM one.

I think most aftermarket cabin air filters will work just fine if the dimensions are correct. I might question a no name filter at a cheap price; it could have toxins in the "charcoal" element.
 
Originally Posted by skyactiv
I prefer the charcoal one myself.

The OEM charcoal cabin air filter for my wife's Audi is $26.81 or $21 for a Mann, who happens to make the OEM one.

I think most aftermarket cabin air filters will work just fine if the dimensions are correct. I might question a no name filter at a cheap price; it could have toxins in the "charcoal" element.

What the heck. Audi only wants $26.81. I avoided German cars because of there high part prices and too much speciality tools to work on them. But Audi can beat Toyota in cabin filters. Sorry, Toyota, if you can't do better than that, thanks, that is why we have aftermarkets for.
 
The dealership around here sometimes tells you change cabin air filter because mice are nesting in it. It sounds like BS. But I actually did have a mouse nest in one of mine, the Corolla.

Aftermarket filters are fine for cabin air, who cares. It is not part of drivetrain. I use Wix just because I like their oil filters and air filters.
 
For me, I have never let the stealership do my cabin air filter and also engine air filter.

It is easy to DIY.

If you have air compressor, you can blow those filter every oil change to keep it clean while waiting for the oil to drain.

On my 2017 Sienna, I have replaced it with Bosch 6055C Hepa for cabin filter, around $20.
Not sure if that the same one for your Toyota.
 
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I buy aftermarket filters for under 10$ and swap them yearly or twice a year. They get dirty pretty fast. I dont opt for carbon filters. TYC makes a decent basic filter for cheap. I have put in a Bosch Hepa in my Corolla but reduces airflow, I still like it but not in winter when i need all the air power possible to defrost.
 
The Bosch hepatitis filter dramatically reduces airflow I think it would tax the blower motor
 
My choice would be the Boss
smile.gif
 
I think all you need is a "good" quality (on the good, better, best scale) cabin air filter.

Oil and air filters you need a much high quality.

Remember 10 years ago they did not have them. My 2015 pickup does not have one.
 
Originally Posted by Onetor
OEM!

$45 to $50. No way, when aftermarket does better, with better product. As you could see earlier, Audi put Toyota to shame when Audi is known for high priced parts to begin with. Plus Audi is a luxury brand. Toyota not. What gives?
 
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