Toyota
Corolla Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to change the A/C system's cabin air
filter element in a 12th generation 2020, 2021 & 2022 Toyota Corolla.
2020 Corolla Glove Box |
Open & Empty Out |
Damper Arm Missing |
This automotive maintenance
tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the twelfth generation
2019 (hatchback), 2020, 2021, 2022 (and probably also the 2023, 2024 & 2025)
Toyota Corolla sedan in cleaning or changing the A/C system's cabin air
filter element in the HVAC blower motor housing. Owners of other Toyota and Lexus vehicles such as the Camry, C-HR, Venza, Avalon, 86, Sienna, Tacoma, RAV4, Highlander, 4Runner, Sequoia, IS 350, RX 350, UX 200, GS 350, IS 300 and ES 350 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. A few compatible replacement cabin air filters with their part number are as follows: EPAuto CP157, Spearhead BE-157, Purolator C31434, TYC 800217P and Beck/Arnley 042-2229. No tools are required to access and replace the cabin air filter. The first few steps are to sit in the front passenger seat, open the glove box and empty out the contents. Move to the outer right side of the glove box (close to the passenger door) and locate the black plastic damper arm. Note - On this 2020 Corolla, the glove box damper arm was missing. So just imagine that it is there in my pictures. |
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Pull Off Damper Arm |
Push In Side Walls |
Release Side Stops |
Gently pull the
bottom of the damper arm off the two prongs on the mounting peg. Firmly push in the two side walls of the glove box until the plastic side stops can be released from behind the dashboard. |
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Lower Glove Box |
Plastic Hinges Detached |
HVAC Blower Motor |
Carefully lower the
glove box down to the floor mat.
Don't worry if the plastic hinges come apart. They can easily be re-assembled later on. Once the glove box out of the way, you'll be able to see the HVAC blower motor housing and the rectangular shaped filter access cover. |
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Right Side Release Tabs |
Pinch Together Two Tabs |
Swing Open Right Side |
Locate the two
small release tabs on the right side of the filter cover. Pinch or squeeze together the two tabs on the right side of the filter cover. Swing open the right side of the filter cover. |
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Pull Out Tabs Left Side |
Plastic Air Filter Tray |
Slide Out Filter Tray |
Pull out the two
tabs on the left side of the cover from their slots on the left side of the
HVAC blower motor housing. Set the filter access panel aside in a safe place. Slide the black plastic filter tray straight out of the slot in the HVAC blower motor housing. |
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Old Filter Removed |
Inspect Both Sides |
Remove Filter From Tray |
Inspect both sides
of the old filter.
If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, pollen, soot, insects, hair, leaves, twigs and other debris, it should be replaced with a new element. I recommend buying the EPAuto CP157 cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon from other Toyota owners. If the old filter is relatively clean, pull it out of the tray and remove any fine dust with a vacuum cleaner. |
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Clean With Vacuum |
"UP" Arrow, Part Number |
Install New Filter In Tray |
If you bought the
OEM Toyota brand filter, orientate the new air filter with the "UP" arrow
pointing up towards you and away from the plastic grates in the bottom of
the filter tray. Note - Most aftermarket brand cabin air filters will have an "AIR FLOW" arrow that should be pointing down into the blower motor and towards the floor mat of the vehicle. Make sure the new filter is fully seated in the tray and in the correct orientation. |
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Filter Secured In Tray |
Clean Out Filter Slot |
Filter Tray "UP" Arrow |
Check the filter
slot for any large debris such as leaves, twigs, dragonflies or other
insects. If your vacuum cleaner has a crevice attachment, clean out any large debris in the slot. Orientate the filter tray with the plastic grates facing down, the "UP" arrow pointing up and the white filter pleasts facing up. Slide the filter tray straight into the slot. |
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Slide In New Filter |
Filter Tray Secured |
New Filter Installed |
Make sure the filter tray is fully seated in the slot. | ||
Filter Cover "UP" Arrow |
Insert Tabs Into Slots Left |
Close Right Side - Push |
Orientate the "UP"
arrow on the filter cover in the correct direction. First, re-insert the two tabs on the left side of the filter cover into their corresponding slots. Swing the filter cover closed towards the right side of the filter slot. Push on the filter cover to secure the retaining clip. You should hear or feel the retaining clip "click" securely into place. |
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Retaining Clip Secured |
Line Up Plastic Hinges |
Re-Attach Hinges |
Double check that
the filter access cover is secured into place. Raise the bottom edge of the glove box towards the dashboard. Line up the plastic hinges with their mounting bars. Push the hinges over the bars to re-assemble the hinges. |
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Re-Insert Side Stops |
Pop On Damper Arm |
Close Glove Box - Done! |
Firmly push in the
two side walls of the glove box until the plastic side stops can be
re-inserted behind the dashboard. Push the bottom of the damper arm on to the mounting peg attached to the outer right side wall of the glove box. Replace the contents of the glove box and close it to complete the job. Be sure to write down the filter change in your car's service records. Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system! Please check out all of my
2020 Toyota Corolla DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides. |
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