I am looking for a cheaper alternative to replace the cabin air filter. Suggestions and instructions?

Thanks all.

 

You can DIY and buy it online. I've bought them for ~$20?
Google "replace cabin air filter" for instructions, they're are a lot of them on the net.

 

It does not get any cheaper then this

$9.50 delivered


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...#ht_731wt_1201

 

this was cross referenced against he fram part # CF10285

which was cross referenced against the toyota part number

 

Not being cheap or anything, but has anyone just ignored replacing or cleaning the filter? What possible damage can it do?

 

Well, it starts to really stink after a year and a half - spoken from experience.

 

What possible damage can it do?

Well, eventually all the air coming through your air vents will first have to pass through a filter that is dirty. Think about that for a moment. Filters improve air quality when they're clean; when dirty, they'll make it worse.

 

Mechanically I don't think it will hurt anything but if I start smelling something unusual I'll check it out.

 

I bought a Purolator C35667 cabin air filter for my 2009 from my local Advance Auto Parts store for $12.98. I'm not sure you can order online from Advance, so you may be out of luck if a store is not nearby. Or a local store that stocks Purolator parts may be able to order it for you. Can't speak to the quality of the Purolator compared to the OEM....
www.advanceautoparts.com
http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Cabin-Air-Filter-Purolator_22880344-P_10_R|GRPFILTAMS_574731666___

 

I haven't had to replace my filter but one thing that many people do with similar pleated polyester(?) filters for aquariums is to hose any loose stuff off and then soak them in a diluted bleach solution. The result is a nice clean (white) filter which is then put in the dishwasher or otherwise rinsed to get rid of the bleach smell. This can be done many times.

You don't really have anything to lose if you're going to throw it away anyway.