Vwright14
New member
Lol yeah that's another 5.0 sbf I was gonna build... but being out of work put an infinite hold on that.
Don't Neglect Your Cabin Air Filter
- Thread starter thebwlife
- Start date
T4R_Finally
New member
Glad this thread was posted. The cabin filter is not something I've ever had before so never gave it much thought. Figured - how dirty can it get when I drive it 99% on the pavement? Wow - talk about nasty!
Whiplash Willy
New member
From reading this thread, I decided to run by the stealership and pick up a new filter as I just put 10,000 miles on my 4Runner since I got it with 13,701 miles. Now at 24,000 miles I noticed my air output was not what it should be. The force of air just did not feel right with the sound the fan was making on higher levels. So this thread prompted me to check and then change the filter out. Oh man, I am so glad I did, The difference was night and day! Wait until you see the pictures below!
The old one isn't black because it is dirty, it is black because it is the factory carbon or Premium "CH" filter (Part 87139-YZZ10). The new one is white because it is the standard "EE" filter (Part 87139-YZZ08).
EE – Electrostatic Filter: While it functions like a Pollen Filter, it also holds a static charge that captures smaller particles such as asbestos and tire dust.
CH – Premium Charcoal Filter: Features a 2 layer filtering structure that helps it to capture particles and removes odor.
http://www.toyota.com/toyota-owners-online-theme/pdf/05_CabinAirFilters2014-final.pdf
Bad_Influence
New member
BlackWorksInc
New member
Most of our vehicles come with the "EE" cabin filters installed. The black filter in your first picture is actually a very dirty "EE" style filter. The reason I can tell is because of the white splotch at the end of the filter, that shows how filthy that filter is.
Factory Carbon Impregnated Cabin Air filters are a mixture of black & grey through out the entire filter element itself, you can tell when these get dirty because they start getting a brown hue/tinge to them and when you gently pry open the pleats you can see debris accumulating in the valleys.
One more thing I feel I should mention as some people will inevitably try this as a cheap fix. Do NOT blow out the cabin air filters with compressed air, the filter material is finer than it looks and using compressed air will expand the pleats too much and make the filter useless, if its dirty/clogged you need to replace it and that's that.
Hope this helps, you guys are already being more responsible than most of my customers just by checking and replacing your cabin air filters. I'll have to snap some pictures of some of the horrifying cabin air filters I have seen in customers cars (think 100k and never been changed.)
Bilbo
New member
Here's an fun development. I ordered the carbon filter from Amazon (sold by Amazon, not a third part vendor), and the filter arrived in a Toyota Genuine Parts box. But it just doesn't look like a Toyota filter. Too few pleats, a lack of uniformity in the pleat spacing, and although you can't see it in the photo, a lack of structural rigidity. It's taking a journey back to Amazon.
By the way, when I opened up the glove box to gain access to the filter compartment, you'll never guess what I found. An Owner's Manual! Imagine that.
By the way, when I opened up the glove box to gain access to the filter compartment, you'll never guess what I found. An Owner's Manual! Imagine that.
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BlackWorksInc
New member
That one looks a bit banged up, but that is how they look. I am not entirely sure how pleat count factors in as many replacements seem to have varying pleat numbers, but the factory replacement cabin air filters are very "squishy" for lack of a better word.
My cabin filter just arrived. It is also from amazon but a different seller. Looks like the number of pleats are the same.
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Whiplash Willy
New member
Interesting...What is the part number on that. I just ordered the OEM Carbon filter replacement from Amazon as well (87139-YZZ10) Maybe the carbon version has less pleats?
thebwlife
Senior Member
I replaced tons of these working at service center in college. Some just look beat up. It will be fine though, as long as the outside demotions are the same I would just use it and not worry about it.
thebwlife
Senior Member
Maybe so, I'm sure the carbon provides some resistance so reducing pleats may help. Probably won't matter either way.
leftyguns21
New member
(4th gen here) but I change mine every oil change, 5k miles, and I just bought a home filter from lowes and cut it down to size. seems to work fine. $9 and can get 6 filters out of it.
4RunnerStunner
New member
I was wondering if it was Charcoal but it did not look like it had a consistent black/gray pattern through out the filter and the while splotch on the end made me think as well as it was a regular EE filter as the Toyota sales rep did not even give me a option or ask did I want the charcoal or the regular filter. He just gave me the regular filter.
Bilbo
New member
Same part number. You can even see it on the box in my photo.
My post gave a hint: "By the way, when I opened up the glove box to gain access to the filter compartment, you'll never guess what I found. An Owner's Manual! Imagine that."
Two hints, actually, if you count the manual.
....
By the way, I installed the new filter. Amazon is off the hook.
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Boardmember
New member
Re: charcoal filter vs # of pleats:
The MORE pleats a filter has, the more surface area for which to flow air. If the carbonized element restricts air flow (I don't know if it does or doesn't ), the filter would require more pleats.
Another note: as many are indicating how easy it is to changecabin air filters, it's equally easy to pull it just to check it. Everyone's interval will be different.
I sometimes forget for a period and am surprised at how filthy my filters get. Most auto parts stores stock them for <$20.
The MORE pleats a filter has, the more surface area for which to flow air. If the carbonized element restricts air flow (I don't know if it does or doesn't ), the filter would require more pleats.
Another note: as many are indicating how easy it is to changecabin air filters, it's equally easy to pull it just to check it. Everyone's interval will be different.
I sometimes forget for a period and am surprised at how filthy my filters get. Most auto parts stores stock them for <$20.
