Toyota RAV4
Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the A/C system's
cabin air filter element in a 4th generation 2013 to 2016 Toyota RAV4.
2013 RAV4 Glove Box |
Open Glove Box - Empty Out |
Glove Box Damper Arm |
This
automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist
owners of the fourth generation (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and maybe
also the refreshed 2017 model year) Toyota RAV4 SUV in cleaning or
changing the A/C system's cabin air filter element located in the
HVAC blower motor housing. Owners of other Toyota, Lexus or Scion vehicles such as the Yaris, Matrix, Prius, Camry, Corolla, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, FJ Cruiser, Venza, Highlander, Avalon, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, IS 250, ES 350, GS 350, tC, xB, xD, iQ and FR-S may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: Fram CF10285, Purolator C35667, K&N VF2000, ATP RA-31, Luber-Finer CAF1816C, Denso 453-1019, ACDelco CF173, TYC 800025P, Beck Arnley 042-2082, Mahle Original LAK 490, Toyota 87139-50100 or 87139-07020 and Wix # 24483. |
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Pull Off Damper Arm |
Damper Arm Mounting Peg |
Firmly Pull In Side Walls |
The first few steps
are to sit in the front passenger seat, open the glove box and empty out the
contents. Then move to the outer right side of the glove box and locate the damper arm. Gently pull the damper arm off its mounting peg which has two plastic prongs on the end. |
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Left Side Plastic Stop |
Lower Glove Box |
Separate Plastic Hinges |
Firmly push in the
two side walls of the glove box until the plastic side stops can be removed
from behind the dashboard. Carefully lower the glove box down to the passenger floor mat. The plastic hinges on the bottom edge of the glove box should separate from the dashboard. The hinges can easily be re-attached later. |
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Filter Access Panel |
Push In Tab - Release Clip |
Open Filter Cover |
The rectangular
black plastic filter access cover is located on the HVAC blower motor
housing. Push in the tab on the right side of the filter access panel to release the retaining clip. Swing open the right side of the filter cover. Pull out the tab on the left side from its slot. |
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Pull Off Filter Cover |
Slide Out Old Air Filter |
Old Filter Removed |
Set the filter
cover aside in a safe place. Slide the old filter straight out of the slot. |
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Empty Filter Slot |
Inspect Both Sides |
Clean With Vacuum |
Inspect both sides
of the old filter. If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, leaves, insects, hair, pollen, twigs and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend going with the Fram CF10285 cabin air filter since it has the best reviews on Amazon. I also like how it has baking soda and carbon in it to keep the A/C system from smelling musty or moldy. |
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Orientate "Up" Arrow |
Slide In New Air Filter |
Line Up Plastic Filter Cover |
If the new filter
has an "Air Flow" arrow, it should be pointing down towards the floor mat. The OEM filter has a "Up" arrow which should be orientated with it pointing up towards the windshield. Slide in the new air filter with the arrow pointing in the correct direction. |
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Tab On Left In Slot |
Push In Retaining Clip - Right |
Filter Cover Replaced |
Re-insert the tab
on the left side of the filter cover in to its slot. Swing the filter cover closed and push on the right side to secure the retaining clip. Double check that the filter cover is secure before moving on to the next steps. |
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Re-Attach Plastic Hinges |
Raise Glove Box |
Push In Side Walls |
Lift the glove box
towards the dashboard and re-attach the plastic hinges. Firmly push in the two side walls of the glove box until the plastic side stops can be re-inserted behind the dashboard. |
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Re-Insert Side Stoppers |
Push On Damper Arm |
Close Glove Box - Done! |
Move to outer right
side of the glove box and push the damper arm back on to its mounting peg. Replace the contents of the glove box and close it to complete the job. Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system! For more,
check out my other
2013-2016 Toyota RAV4 DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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