Paul's Travel Pictures

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.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-001
2013 RAV4 Glove Box
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-002
Open Glove Box - Empty Out
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-003
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.



 
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-004
Pull Off Damper Arm
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-005
Damper Arm Mounting Peg
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-006
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-007
Left Side Plastic Stop
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-008
Lower Glove Box
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-009
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-010
Filter Access Panel
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-011
Push In Tab - Release Clip
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-012
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.



 

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-013
Pull Off Filter Cover
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-014
Slide Out Old Air Filter
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-015
Old Filter Removed
Set the filter cover aside in a safe place.

Slide the old filter straight out of the slot.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-016
Empty Filter Slot
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-017
Inspect Both Sides
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-018
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-019
Orientate "Up" Arrow
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-020
Slide In New Air Filter
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-021
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-022
Tab On Left In Slot
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-023
Push In Retaining Clip - Right
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-024
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-025
Re-Attach Plastic Hinges
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-026
Raise Glove Box
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-027
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.

2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-028
Re-Insert Side Stoppers
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-029
Push On Damper Arm
2013-2016-Toyota-RAV4-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-030
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.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info