Wash a Cabin Air filter?

[edwardh1]

CAn you gently wash- / rinse a cabin air filter? It works great on shop vac filters but will it work OK on a cabin ai filter?
I hate to spend $16 for a piece of fluff that keeps out leaves etc.

[bepperb]

I'm of the "cut out a piece of furnace filter" variety, but that's not too far off of the "washing the cabin filter" group. Yep, my garage is no Lexus service department, but we're way ahead of the "what is a cabin filter" and "use a piece of paper towel" people.

I don't try to wash the paper filters because once they dry, they seem to restrict flow more. But you can try, and the worst you have to do is throw it away. I've heard of people who have a problem where there A/C light blinks, and changing the filter fixes the problem, so the system must monitor backpressure or the temp of the A/C condenser. Whatever it does, you'll know if what you're doing isn't working.

What about dry cleaning?

[LifeTech]

$16 cabin filter, OE or aftermarket (whichever is cheaper) every year or every 15K miles is cheap enough insurance so that I can breathe clean as when new and my A/C will thank me for it.
Yes the A/C Light does flash when the cabin filter is clogged beyond use.

There have been posts elsewhere discussing washing them.

This Cabin filter is more refined compared to a washable ShopVac filter.

I would not even attempt it. They are flimsey enough, before hitting it with mild soap and water.
I could envision a washed/air dried cabin filter disintegrating into pieces at some point and getting sucked into the A/C duct and fan.

It's just not a washable media type filter.

[ferret]

For $4.07 plus shipping ( order a half dozen or more at a time ) Why bother trying to clean it?

Or pay Toyota's outrageous $40+ price for a filter alone?

New cabin air filter for a 2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER cheap, only 4.07

The internet can be a great source of information and parts. This site also has a few select parts also at reduced prices.

[ptinio]

wow!

thanks ferret, i'm buying me some air filters!!

[LifeTech]

ferret,

That price was a good find!
I've never seen them for less than $8-9

Thanx

LT