Cabin air filter gets dirty very fast

Hello to all

I have a 2023 Limited and since I´ve got it I´ve noticed that I have to at least shake the A/C or cabin air filter outside the vehicle because it gets full with dust and leaves. This happens every 3 to 4 months. At 6 months it´s very evident that the filter is way past it´s working life and I replace it. (If it was for the appearance I would replace it every 3 months). I drive relative low mileage, about 1,300 miles every 3 months, but city heavy traffic. The ambient and temperature in my country is tropical: high temps and very humid, but I´ve never had a vehicle that would get the cabin air filter dirty so fast, it usually lasts 1 year or a bit more (on other vehicles).

Any ideas? something wrong or stuck open? (I always use my a/c in re-circulation mode) so all the debris and leaves got me wondering.
Before I claim this to the dealer I post it here to see what you guys think, the dealer usually don´t have a clue or a twisted biased theory when I ask anything.

 

I've noticed even though I select re-circulation mode it switches to fresh air as needed.

I have a feeling all that dirt is coming from the tree you are parking under not from the road. When you start the vehicle all that dirt might be sucked in to the cabin air filter from the top while hvac on fresh air. By the time you press re-circulate it might have sucked all that already.

Just a thought...

 

Normal. When you shutdown the vehicle the recirculate vent likely opens back up to allow for air exchange from outside. This prevents mold, etc. in humid, warm, wet, cold environments.

You can change this setting via carista (or at the dealer) to keep it closed when you power off but I wouldn’t recommend.

 

Interesting, I always try to park in the open and not under a tree. Trees usually drop lots of leaves, some drop little fruits that make me wash the truck to prevent stains and also birds use trees to rest and drop dong. Anyway I´ve notice that even doing that some leaves would enter the cowl and would drop inside the ventilation.

 

Ok, thanks letting me know how the system works. As you say, I wouldn´t change the setting, doesn´t seem like a wise idea.

 

The intake leading to the in cabin filter is terrible, i had a whole bunch of snow get jammed down there and destroyed my in cabin filter.

I think replacing the filter every 6mo is what it states in the manual. Just sounds like you happen to drive through more debris than others may.

 

Thanks for the info!!
Will replace it at 6 months

 

i’ve saw a thread on tacoma world where someone removed the cowl trim pieces to mount a screen or prefilter on the intake. Not sure if it’s worth it, but maybe it would be in situations where it can bet packed with snow or debris. That could also help with keeping critters out.

 

The cowl grill seems pretty sealed up when the hood is closed, I began to wonder how leaves would enter the actual cowl and end up in the filter.
I can confirm that when the truck is off the opening where the A/C takes fresh air is 100% open and the cabin filter can be seen. Also I just caught a small leaf sneaking in the wiper´s hole in the cowl grill. So that´s the way the leaves are finding it´s way to the filter. Haven´t been able to find the post on the Tacoma Forum, but I get the idea. Is either a mesh or some kind of rubber to narrow the wipers hole, but it could lead to some rubbing and damage of the cowl grill. Or just service the cabin filter every 3 months and replace every 6. Even if I can stop leaves, dust would still find it´s way. I think the best solution is to find the best price of the cabin filter and stock up a few.
So that you all know the cheaper of them all (cabin filters) is the 87139-YZZ82 which is OEM and made in the USA, not Japan. They run @ $16.50 + shipping. That is a save of almost $5 from the Japanese made.

 

Hey sorry for the slight derailment — does recirculated air go through the filter when the climate control is set to recirculate?

 

The air should always go through the filter because is right before the blower.

 

With the carista app you can change the setting that automatically opens the air vent when you turn off the engine. The setting allows you to keep the vent at whatever it’s at when you shut off the vehicle- open or closed.

Generally, its good to have it open for air exchange when the engine is off. But if you have rodent problems, you do have an ability to keep it closed.

 

Rinse with hose, air dry, put back.

 

Or buy a new one for $10

 

I replaced mine with the K&N cabin filter

$40 VF2000 K&N LIFETIME Cabin Air Filter: Premium, Washable, Clean Air for your Cabin: Compatible with Select 2000-2022 Toyota/Subaru/Land Rover/Jaguar/Lexus/Scion Vehicle Models, VF2000

VF2000.

 

Revisiting this post, I took off the cowl and it had the dirt you would expect with 2 years of use.I cleaned it like new. Also I noticed that the fresh air opening seems like its missing a part, I may be mistaken and it's like that from the factory. If someone can confirm if this is normal, pic attached.

 

With the amount of snow i got jammed down to the air filter one time that looks about right.

But if that's what it looks like i'll be taking off my cowl and making something more protective. That's ridiculous.

 

Anyone know what this setting is called in the Carista app? I may have changed it inadvertently if its called "AC Eco mode"
oops

 

It seems it´s like that from the factory, I´m searching if maybe there´s another model that Toyota actually put a part there. It's a longshot and I think I would need to get creative and put some sort of cover or filter.

 

The protective cover is your cowl...

There are people who developed a mod to take your money: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/for-sale-cowl-intake-snorkel-kits-and-hvac-screens.811746/ or you can put some bulk wire mesh material there. However, that just causes the leaves to collect on the mesh instead of the air filter.

Better to put a deflector over the intake, so air has to take a less direct path into the opening, without any tendency to trap leaves:

 

Eco Mode is something else I think. Best I could tell from some internet sleuthing, eco mode cuts/lessens power to some things like heater/AC and heated seats when idling at a stop. So as to save on gas. But I haven't confirmed this.

 

Well that’s good. I just remember seeing that “AC Eco mode” was enabled and I thought

 

Thanks, it gives me a very good idea of what to put there.

 

Is that deflector on your 4R, or a photo you found?

 

I always thought ECO mode uses engine geat for heating, non eco heats up a filament of smth. Dont remember having ECO mode on my '23 ORP tho. My '08 Camry Hybrid has it.

 

It's a photo I found on Tacoma World. The cowl inlet stamping is similar if not identical, also with unused holes on the flange.

 

Yeah I don't know for sure. Best I can tell, it cuts power to some systems to reduce load on alternator, thus saving gas. You know when you're stopped and you feel the engine surge a little to keep up with the AC? I suspect ECO stops that from happening. And as a result, you don't get as cold of air until you start moving again.

 

I think I see my next project…up in the mountains it’s getting tiresome to have to tap out the filter in my rig every two weeks, replacing every month in the late summer-fall.

 

A filter, catching debris ? What the hell is goin on in this world.

 

Looks like a good fix! I have some nice thin aliminum sheet from home depot. Going to make something like that when I have some free time in my hands. Stay tuned!