Cabin / Air Filter Combo

The non-charcoal infused ones are even cheaper. I always keep a set on hand and change them as needed. I also keep my HVAC system in manual mode with the fan on low; to prevent mold formation. I'll switch to auto mode on long road trips and cut-off the AC 10 minutes to shut down to give the system a chance to dry out.

Combo Set Engine ＆ Carbonized Cabin Filter For 19-24 LEXUS UX250h & 2025 UX300h | eBay

 

You are not due unless you have 30K miles or 36 months - you have neither. So why are they suggesting you need it changed?

 

Thanks. I definitely want the carbon filter despite knowing it would need to be a thick carbon filter in order to filter out most odors. I’m putting the AC on manually as well but need to find a way to remind myself to shut it off before arriving home. I’ve put the heat on twice as a quick fix. Anything to prevent mold.

 

I've found 30K to be a bit extreme for the cabin filter. You probably don't get much dust, dander, pollen, wildfire smoke and ash down there in San Bruno; but up here I usually need to change it around 20K. I do leave my fan on low all the time though.
I can usually get come crap to fall out of my engine air filter, when I tap it out on the sidewalk. I replace them in pairs, but I could probably get away without changing the engine air filter since I'm 75% EV, most of the time. Their cheap, so I change them.

YMMV.....

 

I bought an air filter from Afe, cleanable. Use again and again.
Buy once-cry once

 

I tend to

I tend to change my cabin filter every 12-18 months. They're not expensive, and I have bad allergies. So a new carbon filter every year or so helps with that.

Not really something I am worried about in the 03 anymore though. Since the AC gave out 2 months ago, the windows are down whenever I drive, and that means the cabin air filter is useless to me.

 

Cabin air filter(and engine air filter) shouldn't really be changed on a milage or time schedule but on an inspection schedule. If it's dirty, change it. If it isn't, leave it alone. Someone in a clean environment could get five or more years and 100k miles on a filter, while someone else might only six months and 5k. Totally depends on individual driving circumstances.

Exception:
Activated charcoal cabin air filters need to be changed annually since the charcoal has an effective lifespan. After a year, the charcoal becomes inert enough that the filter becomes an ordinary filter. It will still filter out all the typical particles, but it will no longer filter odors as effectively.


(I did change all my filters - including battery - at 2y/20k, but that was mostly because I was taking it to the CarCarNut for an inspection and wanted it as good as possible from my end. I also had the filters sitting around since shortly after I bought the car and wanted to cycle my stock. The engine and battery filters absolutely didn't need to be changed - they were still near perfect. So do as I say, not as I do. lol)

 

Updated part number for the engine air filter is 17801-F2060.

For you, I highly recommend the more expensive cabin air filter. The difference is it contains activated charcoal to filter out odors. You've mentioned in the past that you're very susceptible to odors, which is why I'm recommending it so strongly. Just note that you have to replace that one every year if you want to maintain it's odor-filtering capabilities. After a year, the charcoal has degraded enough that it's mostly a regular filter at that point.