Not liking the location and removal procedure of the glove compartment I tend to ignore the AC Filter. Was I surprised, it was incredibly filthy. Summer is coming on, have you checked yours ?
I replaced mine after 15K miles / 15 months--it was very dirty: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...r-filter-15k-miles-15-months-check-yours.html
I have been changing the engine and cabin air filters on 15k intervals. The cabin filter is always dirtier than the engine filter.
When I replaced the cabin air filter, I also checked the engine air filter, and it looked fine, much to my surprise. On previous cars, I've changed the engine air filter at 15K miles...of course, they were high performance cars, so used more air.
At 34,000 miles my cabin filter still looks good. I did replace the engine air filter at 25k but that was because i thought that toyota said to replace it at 30k so i thought i would just do it early, it was not that dirty. Also do you guys know the Ford Fusion Hybrid has a lifetime engine air filter, they say it never needs to be replaced.
that's interesting. i would love to see the engineering and design. not that checking, cleaning and replacing is a big deal, but a good marketing tool perhaps?
I have 94000 miles on andyprius now. Probably a good practice is to check the AC filter at least every three months. I use a simple AC filter cut to size, for about .50C I can make 3-4. I also use the same material for the engine filter and despite dire warning about micro elements destroying my engine, the car still runs fine. I agree with the poster that mentioned the engine filter is usually considerably cleaner than the AC filter. Unfortunately, on the 2011 I noticed today that the Air filter compartment is intregal with the air intake hose so a couple of hose clamp screws have to be loosened first. I predict less maintenance in that area and consequently dirtier filters.
I think the 2011 are just like the 2010 you just need to undo two clamps and it will open with the hose clamps still on. No tools are needed to change or check the air filter.
From what i read in the manual, you don't even check it, and i didn't read anything about cleaning it.
