jcjr

I had never heard of the "cabin" air filter before visiting this board....I have never changed it in my RX 300.....Bought it used so I do not know if it has ever been changed before...

How essential is this filter???

miniround

the guy at my lexus mechanic told me it's included in the 65k checkup...so if you bought it used, check your mileage...

also he took it out and mine was pretty dirty at 73k so i'm going to replace it soon (never had it done at 65..)

it will also smell better inside the car, and being that i'm in florida i like to use my a/c, so ill replace it for sure before the summer months.

carguy07

Just pop it out and take a look at it. $16 and a five minute job.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/rx300h...air_filter.htm

http://www.irontoad.com/Merchant2/me...Store_Code=LSC

jcjr

Where do you get the filter??

I do not have a local Lexus dealer in my town..

Will a Toyota dealer have it???

salimshah

Try the second link above ... irontoad

Salim

tcheung87

I agree with carguy, it's a relatively easy DIY job and pretty satisfying both immediately and in the long run after it's finished. I'm using a Blitz A/C filter I purchased from Carson Toyota at l-tunedparts.com, but OEM is just fine! Breathing fresh air ftw!

Lexmex

Here is a shot of mine. I have to take another photo when I get back. I merely wash mine out with water every year. I thought about taking one back with me, but in the end I could make a new one out of furnace filter material if I really wanted to.

HarrierAWD

I build my own cabin filters with 3M 1000. The white filter element was pitch black after just 10K miles. I should've taken a photo of it. Will do next time to share.

thomas1

The only thing is that the original filter has carbon in the paper to kill smell.
I too wash mine, works great. Just let it dry.

bob2200

I guess it depends where you live (i.e., drive). I replace mine every 1 1/2 years (about 18,000 mi) and it is filled with small pine needles, plant seeds, and stuff like that, in addition to dust. The owner's manual says to replace it every 1 1/2 years or 22,500 miles. My mother (who drives an ES300) had her cabin filter fill up with small pine cones. I don't know if she parked under a tree in season or an animal was building a nest.

salimshah

Excellent advise, which lot of people may overlook in a hurry. As you wash the filter you can never get every thing out and any biological stuff left behind with moisture will multiply. So if you must wash, make sure it is dry before you put it back in.

A safer alternative would be to simply vacuum it with a soft brush from the side with deposition. ... you want to pull off instead of suck further in.



Salim

jcjr

Took mine out today and it is VERY dirty...even some green discoloration on the edges..Not sure its ever been changed

Bought a new one a few hours ago

AlexusAnja

Unlike the engine air filter, the cabin air filter isn't affecting performance of the vehicle, just how much "crap" comes into your cabin, and of course will probably reduce air flow if all the air coming into cabin goes through the filtering.

gcrim21

The design of the 'pocket' for the air conditioning filter in the 2003 ES300 is the worst design I've ever seen. Believe me, it is no five minute job and the glove compartment door has to be taken loose and dropped down to remove the filter. Then there's the spring loaded door holder that has to re-attached to the door. That 'aint' no easy task.

I also order all filters from IRONTOAD becaue of lower prices. Also prompt delivery.

bob2200

My mother has a 2002 ES300. It gets easier with practice. With the practice I've had, it is now a sub-5-minute job