Larry99

Decided to change the cabin air filter myself instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to Lexus for a new filter. Local auto parts stores do not have yet because Lexus has not "released" the part to the aftermarket.

After looking at the filter a little closer, it is not a paper filter at all but a synthetic material. This means you can wash it clean, even using soap if desired, dry it out, spray with a disintectant and just put it back in. While its out, spray a little disinfectant in the slot where the filter goes to keep everything really clean.

Now that's the type of maintenance I can afford!

hiloboy

I did the exact same thing on mine yesterday and it does work as good as new.

jeffknet

where is the cabin filter located?

Larry99

on the back of the glove compartment box there is a piece that you can pull off.

Behind that is another cover that has two tabs on it. Pinch one or both tabs and pull that cover off.

Behind that cover is the filter. Just slides out and back in. The filter media actually can pu separated from its frame, cleaned and pressed back in. There are little tabs around the edge that holds the media in place.

Just reverse all the processes when re-installing.

It really is quite easy.

RXMike

Jeff,

I had our RX330 passenger dash apart the other day hardwiring a V-1. I found the filter by accident. It is directly behind the glove box. Empty the glove box and twist the little black fastner on the left side. Then pull in the side of the glove box on the right side and let the glove box flip down. You will then see the container for the air filter.

If you have any trouble I will pry it apart for you when I come over there to saw that exhaust pipe off of your RX!!!!.................just kidding again. Hey, the more I see those chrome wheels the better I like them over the standard wheel. Only one problem. My wife likes the standard wheels and it is her Lexus!!

Mike

marke1

Never even considered the fact that it was a synthetic material. This is a great idea. I tried it and it seemed to work well. Thanks!

alanek

How often should you clean the filter?

RX300wannabeIS300

I bet that this filter is overlooked on just about every other Lexus - on my 40K service the dealer was like: "oh, why did you wait so long to replace it? it looks like it's never been replaced before..." The filter was filthy... So I look in the maintenance manual and it says that this thing should be replaced every 15K miles? (don't quote me, I might be off on the exact mileage). So that's when I asked him this same question back just to find out that they've overlooked it on all my previous services - I ended up getting it replaced free and a credit for one future oil change!

Anyway, thanks for the tip!!!

parula

Wannabee, way to go on the fix and credit!!

I am going to just replace mine with a Filtrete-type semi-high-efficiency filter cut out from a home hot air filter. This might be a more efficient filter than the OEM I do not know but this may be more cost efective than the Lexus replacement.

TexRB

The filter maintenance schedule is to re[place it every 30k miles, or 2 years. I just replaced mine after 2 yrs and 8 months and it was filthy. I only have 9985 miles on the RX - so be sure to check it by time, not mileage.

By the way, I did try vacuuming it, but didn't realize you could wash it. I bought my replacement at the toyota dealer for $32 vs $50 from the Lexus dealer. Funny thing - the Toyota dealer BOUGHT it from the Lexus dealer (it had the Lexus dealer's name on the box).

Just shows you the markup on those things!

ederny

Two years and 8 months with 10k miles! What do you have this vehicle for?? Get out and have some fun!