Air/Cabin Filter Replacement Arrow/Clips

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dave1UK, May 16, 2025 at 5:43 AM.

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  1. Dave1UK

    Dave1UK Junior Member

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    I ordered a genuine Toyota air filter and cabin filter.

    Weirdly the cabin filter has no UP arrow/indication? Is that normal? I just placed it with the text on the filter being readable (not upside down).

    Also are there meant to be any top clips for the air filter housing? There is very little movement on the top side, would of assumed it would have clips even though it technically slots under the plastic.

    Thanks.
     

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    #1 Dave1UK, May 16, 2025 at 5:43 AM
  2. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    The air filter only goes in one way, for the top to fit correctly.
    And there are no clips for the back, the top hooks under the bottom. You slide them in at
    an angle. It won't be super hard to fit the top, but it will be snug. Or should be...
    Look at the old filter and see if you can determine the correct way to install it. If it's a plain filter,
    it really doesn't matter. You could go to the parts department and ask them. They should be able
    to look it up on their computer and tell you. Or the service department can.


     
    #2 ASRDogman, May 16, 2025 at 6:56 AM
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  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Slide in no clips they're. Pleats go down gasket up if ya will.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, May 16, 2025 at 8:47 AM
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    where did you buy the filters? they are likely counterfeit. mine from the dealer have always been marked with the toyota logo, air direction arrow and 'up'
     
    #4 bisco, May 16, 2025 at 2:36 PM
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or does it say "FLOW DIRECTION", with an arrow, something like that. Which begs the question: which direction is that, lol.

    I've a hunch it doesn't matter, just don't flip them after a while, but not sure: there's mention above, of a gasket on one side only.

    IIRC the cabin filter on our 2010, both the original and replacement from Toyota, were plain paper, no extra gasket, and both sides looked about the same.

    Further: go back 20~30 years, nobody had even heard of cabin air filters...
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
    Last edited: May 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the flow is down, otherwise it would be pushing backwards. if it isn't obvious, you could turn the fan on, but watch your fingers
     
    #6 bisco, May 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
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  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately what's pictured in the original part of the post is the air filter housing on a gen 3 engine and the slide in locators in the back and the clips in the front and I guess if you put the air filter upside down and it doesn't look right to you then maybe not changing the air filter might be in the cards or something the pleats go down the gasket is up at the top when you drop it in the hole if that makes any kind of sense
     
    #7 Tombukt2, May 16, 2025 at 3:39 PM
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    You can look at the dirty filter and see which side the dirt is on.
    That's where the air in coming FROM....
     
    #8 ASRDogman, May 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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  9. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    There's no clips on the back of the airfilter housing /
    It just 'hooks' in /
     
    #9 StarCaller, May 16, 2025 at 8:06 PM
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  10. Dave1UK

    Dave1UK Junior Member

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    Don't think they are counterfeit allegedly some don't have a directional arrow but I've never seen one before in person. Was bought as a 'service kit' air filter, cabin filter, oil filter and oil washer. Everything is fine/matches except the arrow on the cabin filter/direction.

    I actually checked the old cabin filter which has an arrow indication and was able to figure out what way the filter SHOULD go if it doesn't specify the direction on the new one you can tell by the way the fabric/'seams' start to bend if that makes sense. Included a picture illustration the first "opening" i.e. beginning of the zigzag should be upwards.

    Was more so interested in the cabin filter orientation as the air filter only can fit one way due to the rubber lip they have.



    Included images of the old cabin filter, new cabin filter, part numbers on the packaging and also illustration.
     

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    #10 Dave1UK, May 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    This is nailed!
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, May 17, 2025 at 10:36 AM
  12. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The frames I use the blue goes towards the fresh air that's the side that's supposed to get dirty It have some crap on it that's supposed to pick up more dirt that's the side you want the acorns in the leaves on if you haven't put up the mesh yet at your intake
     
    #12 Tombukt2, May 17, 2025 at 11:15 AM
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