2003 Corolla - Change Cabin Air Filter

R

robb6

New Member
#1
#1
I have 2003 Toyota Corolla LE. An old car but still runs great. The air wasn't too clean in the car. That made me thinking about ways to improve air quality in the car. With a bit of Googling, I realize how easy it is to replace the in-cabin air filter. So I went out and got Purolator C35491 BreatheEASY Cabin Air Filter.

To replace the air filter:

First, open up the glove compartment and unscrew the hinge on the right side



Press on both side of the glove box to "release" the tabs that are holding the glove box in place



After that, the glove box should come off easily. The air filter cover should now be exposed and easily accessible. Press on the clip at both end of the air filter cover



Change the air filter, and you are done!




Just thought I would give you a bit of motivation to take some action: This is the old air filter I pulled out of my car. Yes, OMFG!



After I replace the filter, I notice I don't sneeze in my car anymore. And I am not sure if it is related, but I no longer smell that weird order after I turn on the A/C. So people, change your in-cabin air filter!

Welcome suggestions and comments

You can see more pictures and additional details on my blog:
http://38cars.blogspot.com/2014/06/2003-corolla-le-change-in-cabin-air.html
 
V

VTAK8k

2014 S Plus
#8
#8
Wow, how does your cabin filter get to looking that way? Seriously, I waited like 3 years before changing mine and it was only slightly discolored. How would leaves and all that other garbage get in there?
 
R

robb6

New Member
#9
#9
VTAK8k said:
Wow, how does your cabin filter get to looking that way? Seriously, I waited like 3 years before changing mine and it was only slightly discolored. How would leaves and all that other garbage get in there?
Click to expand...
Because it was basically never changed since new. Stupid, I know.
 
Donabed Kopoian

Donabed Kopoian

6 Speed Master
#10
#10
I did mine every 15,000 (about 1.5 years) and I'd find a good amount of dirt along with leaves and dead bees constantly. Goes with the territory of living in a desert.
 
V

VTAK8k

2014 S Plus
#11
#11
Maybe because my car has always been garaged and I don't park it under trees is why I don't get that gunk in there.

Think about this, if your filter has all that stuff in there, it's likely the drain plugs throughout your car are getting plugged with debris as well. These are the tiny holes in the bottom of your doors and body panels that let water out. If they are plugged as bad as your filter, water will collect in there and speed up the corrosion process. This will result in rusting from the inside out. This is one reason I don't park under trees, or near them if they are dropping stuff.
 
V

VTAK8k

2014 S Plus
#14
#14
fishycomics said:
If you got a car , it was meant for driving not garaging and that said best of luck to that
Click to expand...

It's a Civic. I meant garaged at night. It is driven every single day, in a manner that may make people think it was stolen. I just like to keep it clean and in proper working order.
 
Donabed Kopoian

Donabed Kopoian

6 Speed Master
#15
#15
VTAK8k said:
Maybe because my car has always been garaged and I don't park it under trees is why I don't get that gunk in there.

Think about this, if your filter has all that stuff in there, it's likely the drain plugs throughout your car are getting plugged with debris as well. These are the tiny holes in the bottom of your doors and body panels that let water out. If they are plugged as bad as your filter, water will collect in there and speed up the corrosion process. This will result in rusting from the inside out. This is one reason I don't park under trees, or near them if they are dropping stuff.
Click to expand...
I check those whenever I clean my car. It is harder for leaves to get in there because there isn't an opening big enough to let leaves in (unlike the cowl); however, great point. A pin helps with cleaning them out when doing a detail.

Also, I wish my garage had the room to park my car in, but between a freezer, tools, a boat ... yeah, you get the idea.
 
R

robb6

New Member
#16
#16
VTAK8k said:
Maybe because my car has always been garaged and I don't park it under trees is why I don't get that gunk in there.

Think about this, if your filter has all that stuff in there, it's likely the drain plugs throughout your car are getting plugged with debris as well. These are the tiny holes in the bottom of your doors and body panels that let water out. If they are plugged as bad as your filter, water will collect in there and speed up the corrosion process. This will result in rusting from the inside out. This is one reason I don't park under trees, or near them if they are dropping stuff.
Click to expand...
Good point. Thank you for the heads up. I will check the drain plugs for sure...
 
R

robb6

New Member
#17
#17
VTAK8k said:
Maybe because my car has always been garaged and I don't park it under trees is why I don't get that gunk in there.

Think about this, if your filter has all that stuff in there, it's likely the drain plugs throughout your car are getting plugged with debris as well. These are the tiny holes in the bottom of your doors and body panels that let water out. If they are plugged as bad as your filter, water will collect in there and speed up the corrosion process. This will result in rusting from the inside out. This is one reason I don't park under trees, or near them if they are dropping stuff.
Click to expand...
Any particular drain plugs (spots) I should start checking? Which ones do you check?

Thanks
 
V

VTAK8k

2014 S Plus
#18
#18
I honestly don't check any of them on my car. I'm so anal about where I park it, I don't think I have anything to worry about. It never gets covered in leaves or other stuff that drops from trees. Any time I change filters on it, whether it's the cabin or engine filter, they are only discolored. I've never seen a leaf in mine, that's why I was so shocked by the pics you posted.
 
fishycomics

fishycomics

Super Moderator
#19
#19
If you got a Sunroof open it up, and inspect on the sides, careful of the grease. On th e sides of the doors there are vents as well. And in the trunk in the back by the tail lights below, there are rubber flaps. under the trunk, spare tire make sure the two caps are in place. As Pollin is hard to see. that will be a big build up!
 
R

robb6

New Member
#20
#20
VTAK8k said:
I honestly don't check any of them on my car. I'm so anal about where I park it, I don't think I have anything to worry about. It never gets covered in leaves or other stuff that drops from trees. Any time I change filters on it, whether it's the cabin or engine filter, they are only discolored. I've never seen a leaf in mine, that's why I was so shocked by the pics you posted.
Click to expand...
That's a good point. I don't really pay that much attention as where I park the car, usually just happy to find shade under tree during hot days.

Maybe I am gonna start being anal like you..:laughing:
 
R

robb6

New Member
#21
#21
fishycomics said:
If you got a Sunroof open it up, and inspect on the sides, careful of the grease. On th e sides of the doors there are vents as well. And in the trunk in the back by the tail lights below, there are rubber flaps. under the trunk, spare tire make sure the two caps are in place. As Pollin is hard to see. that will be a big build up!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely check the trunk this weekend!
 
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