I started a thread in the Mileage forum about our new to us Prius, and someone mentioned that we should look into a pre-filter for it since we often have dogs in the car. I tore into the battery intake yesterday, just to check it out. I removed the tube from the squirrel cage fan and had a good look at everything I could see. Clean as a whistle. But I could see where dog hair could get sucked in there, so a pre-filter sounds great. Does anyone know about these pre-filters? Are they a roll your own kind of thing, or does someone sell these?
I've seen several posts that mention "pre-filters" (or screens) but none that specify exactly what these are. It sounds like an add-on for the traction battery air intake. Where do I buy them? Dealer, online? Where are they installed? Do I really need them? Thanks for some details, Bob
I put a mesh filter behind the air intake grid (in the back seat cushion in our case). It's a coarse weave, you can see right through it. It's a vacuum cleaner motor filter, I happened to have some surplus, just cut it to size and pushed it in, friction-fit.
Your Toyota dealer's Parts Department can order a snap on "filter" that goes over the back-seat battery air intake. At $30 plus it's something of a rip I think, and it doesn't appear that it would filter very effectively. Never-the-less, I have one on my 2010 hatchback.
that's interesting, i had no idea there was an oem. someone mentioned cutting up a/c filters in the past. they are similar to the cabin filter material. i think i would prefer a course foam.
Here's a couple of pics of what I'm using. I've never heard the fan, though maybe I'm not attentive enough. I've checked it a couple of times, has minimum stuff, a bit of dust and a few airborne seeds.
Where is this battery intake? I was out yesterday looking through the back seat storage area and could find nothing.
In my 2014 Prius v I found it under the back seat on the right side. I had to open the door and lay down on the floor looking under the seat. Hope that helps. (It's not in the back storage area) Good luck, Bob
Agreed. I use a rigid fine mesh plastic screen from a dehumidifier. I cut it to fit over the vent under the right rear seat and taped it in place.
