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Toyota Highlander Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the A/C cabin air filter element in a 3rd generation 2014 to 2018 Toyota Highlander SUV.

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2017 Highlander Glove Box
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Open Glove Box - Empty Out
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Right Side - Damper Arm
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 plus maybe also the 2019 and 2020 model years) Toyota Highlander SUV in cleaning or changing the A/C system's cabin air filter element in the HVAC blower motor housing.

Owners of other Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles such as the 4Runner, Avalon, 86, C-HR, Camry, Corolla, iM, Land Cruiser, Mirai, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Yaris, FR-S, xB,  xD, tC, xA, CT 200h, ES 250, ES 300, ES 330, ES 350, IS 250, IS 350, RX 300, GS 250, NX 300 and RX 350.

A few compatible replacement cabin air filters with their part numbers include the following: EPAuto CP285, Installer Champ BE-285, Fram CF10285, Bosch 6055C, K&N VF2000, Toyota 87139-07020, TYC 800025P, ATP RA-31, Wix 24511, Premium Guard PC5667 and Ecogard XC25851.

No tools are needed to access and replace the cabin air filter.



 
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Pull Off Damper Arm
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Damper Arm Released
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Push In Sides of Glove Box
The first two steps are to open the glove box and empty out the contents.

Move to the right outer side wall of the glove box and locate the damper arm.

Gently pull the damper arm off its mounting peg.

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Release Side Stoppers
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Side Stops Released
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Right Side Plastic Stop
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 floor mat.

The plastic hinges on the bottom edge of the glove box might separate. They can easily be re-attached later.

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HVAC Blower Motor Housing
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Flip Open Outer Cover
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Outer Cover Released
Once the glove box is out of the way, you'll be able to see the HVAC blower motor housing and the outer filter access cover.

Gently flip down the outer access cover.

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Push In Right Release Tab
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Left Side Release Tab
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Filter Cover Removed
The inner filter access cover is secured by two retaining clips.

Gently push in the release tabs on the left and right side of the filter access cover before pulling it straight off.

Set the filter access cover aside in a safe place.

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Old Filter Exposed
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Slide Out Old Filter
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Old Filter Removed
Slide the old filter straight out of the slot in the HVAC blower motor housing.



 

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Inspect Both Sides
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Clean With Vacuum
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Empty Filter Slot
Inspect both sides of the old cabin air filter.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, pollen, leaves, insects, twigs, soot, hair and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element.

I recommend buying the EPAuto CP285 cabin air filter element since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If the old filter is relatively clean, you can just tap out the large debris and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner.

If your vacuum cleaner has a crevice attachment, clean out any leaves or debris in the filter slot.

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"UP" Direction Arrow
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Slide In New Air Filter
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Filter Cover "UP" Arrow
Orientate the new air filter with the "UP" arrow pointing up towards the windshield.

If your new filter has an "Air Flow" arrow, it should be pointing down towards the floor mat.

Slide the new filter straight into the slot.

Orientate the filter access cover with the "UP" arrow pointing up.

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Push On Filter Cover
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Two Retaining Clips Secured
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Close Access Cover
Gently push the filter cover back into place to secure the two retaining clips.

Then raise the outer filter cover and push on it to secure it into place.

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Push On Outer Cover
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Outer Cover Secured
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Re-Attach Glove Box Hinges
If the glove box hinges separated, raise the glove box and re-attach the hinges.
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Right Side Plastic Stop
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Push In Side Walls
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Push On Damper Arm
Firmly push in the two side walls of the glove box until the side stops can be re-inserted behind the dashboard.
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Damper Arm Secured
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Replace Contents - Close
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Cabin Air Filter Replaced
Move to the outer right side wall of the glove box.

Push the damper arm back into place over its mounting peg.

Replace the contents of the glove box and close it.

Be sure to record the cabin air filter change in your vehicle's service records.

Please check out all of my 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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