The owners manual shows a filter that indicates “UP”. However, the charcoal filter I purchased only indicates “air flow direction”.

What is the air direction? From the top of the dashboard down into the footwell? Or the other way?

 

... when replacing the old filter, the side that is dirty is the answer to your question ...

 

If it says directions of air flow, thats towards to the foot well. Most aftermarket filters are like this.

However if you have a Toyota CAF, the arrow on those are actually indicating that this is the top side of the filter/"THIS SIDE UP". So the CAF must be positioned so that the printed arrow is opposite direction of air flow.

 

Thanks all. Just got the vehicle from Carmax and the cabin air filter is quite dirty. Leafs, twigs, dirt, etc. Hard to believe that they didn't check it.

Based on the dirty side, fairflow if from the top of the dash DOWN to into footwell.

 

... typically not replaced for two reasons ... 1) owner neglected ... 2) dealership charges $150-odd for replacement ($15 Filter + 10-minutes actual labor time) which back calculates to $800-odd per hour for Labor ... highway robbery, so most owners rightfully decline this service.

Now lets talk dealership wiper blade replacement

 

"10-minutes"? Took me about 45 seconds, start to finish. Helps if there is nothing in the glove box.

 

GX Bob installing Fram filter. Cued to pertinent section.

 

... agree ... but hey, takes the mechanic 3-minutes to walk from the workstation to the parts counter to get the filter ... 3-minutes to walk back to the workstation ... 2-minutes for several relaxing sips of coffee ... then 2-minutes replacing the cabin filter ... these incremental times are all rounded up as per dealership policy ... thank you for your business ! ...now what about replacing those wiper blades #?#