Wondering if anyone can help me with this.

I want to change my 2004 LS430 Ultra Luxury rear air conditioner filter now that I have 60,000 miles. My Lexus dealer sold me filter P/N 88508-30110. However it will not installed per my owners manual instructions. On page 253 it states, "face the filter surface (gray) downward and fit the filter folds properly in the case as shown."

This new filter came installed in a filter carrier. However, it is installed in the carrier with the gray surface facing upward. I refused to accept the filter as being deficient and my Lexus dealer ordered me another filter. Unfortunately, it is exactly the same with the gray surface facing upward.

The filter now in my car does not appear to have a gray surface. The down surface is somewhat yellowed (as expected per the owners manual), but I do not detect any gray anywhere on the downward surface, even in the pleats. It appears that it has always been white. The upward surface is white and very clean.

When I check other Lexus dealers on the web, I find that they state that my car requires rear air filter P/N 88508-50080.

I don't know what to do regarding my filter. This is compounded by the fact that the owners manual states that it should be changed when "reduced air flow or deoderant performance" is incurred.

Should I disassemble the filter P/N 88508-30110 and reassemble it with the gray side on the upward surface? Or should I return the filter and procure the other P/N 88508-50080 from Plano Park Place Lexus or Carson Toyota Lexus? Or should I just keep my current filter and forget about changing it?

 

if another part is called for I would return it,,

I don't know the life span of that filter,, does anyone,,??

the only time my rear air has been run is when the grandkids are back there testing out every button they can,, when turned on it blows like mad so I know it is not loaded with debris,, can't imagine it clocking more than three hours total run time on it since new,,

Derry