Note - 4.3 Cabin Filter is shown seperately
Difficulty - Easy
Time - 5 minutes.
Tools - None
Frequency -
Normal Conditions: 18000 miles or 2 years
Dusty conditions: As needed
UK Part No and price TBA by Lindop Brothers Toyota in subsequent post.
Introduction
To improve the environment inside the car, a clean air filter is fitted to the heater intake. This is intended to remove dust and particles that would otherwise enter the car. The filter fitted to the RAV is a particulate filter which has been electrostatically charged to capture the finest particles that are also positive or negatively charged and attracted to the filter. New filters are snow white but soon become blackened by the volume of tiny particles trapped within them. The result as well as a fresher interior is cleaner interior and air vents etc. A filter that is becoming clogged will also starve the interior of fresh air and windows will quickly steam up so it is very important to replace the filter as at the correct interval or more frequently under dusty conditions. Replacement filters with an activated carbon core may become available which also remove odours that may occur for instance in heavy traffic.
The filter will soon become clogged with flies and leaves etc. The blackening is due to dust and pollen (even smaller than the pores in the filter) that have been attracted to the filter fibres. It is very easy to access this filter so I recommend that you remove and clean the filter at least every 12 months and if it looks clogged, replace it.
Procedure
Working from inside the passenger side, empty the glove box and squeeze the two stops to allow the glove box to swing down;
You can now see the white plastic cover of the filter housing;
Squeeze the plastic retainer.......;
.........and withdraw the filter housing;
Take a moment to study how the filter is located into the housing. Now push the filter element out of the and re-install the new one. Make sure the filter is correctly located under the retaining lugs;
Now slide the housing back until it clicks;
Lift the glove box up and push the stops back past the aperture into position and re-load the glove box.
Thanks to Wollaston for the use of his 4.2
