Replace the Cabin Air Filter

The cabin (pollen) filter cleans the air coming through your Toyota Yaris XP130’s vents. When airflow drops or the car smells musty, it is clogged — and on the Yaris you can change it from behind the glove box in about ten minutes with no tools.

Where the filter is

The cabin air filter sits in the heater box behind the glove box, reached by dropping the glove box right down. It is a flat paper (or carbon) element in a plastic cover.

What you’ll need

• A new cabin filter to suit the Yaris XP130. Bring the old one or quote your VIN to get the right element — a plain particulate filter or an activated-carbon version both fit.
• No tools are needed; a torch helps you see the cover.

Replace the cabin air filter

1. Switch the ignition off (LOCK, or off on keyless cars).
2. Open the glove box and slide off the damper arm on the side.
3. Push in each side of the glove box to release the upper claws.
4. Pull the glove box out and release the lower claws so it drops clear.
5. Unlock the filter cover, slide it in the direction of the arrow, and pull it out of its claws.
6. Slide out the old filter and fit the new one with the “UP” marks pointing up, in the airflow direction shown.
7. Refit the cover, then clip the glove box back onto its lower and upper claws and reconnect the damper.

How often to change it

• Follow the service schedule — roughly every 15,000 km or once a year for most owners.
• Change it sooner if you drive in dusty areas or heavy, slow traffic, or if the windows start misting up more than usual.
• A clogged filter is the usual cause of weak airflow even with the fan on full.

Frequently asked questions

Can I run the car without a cabin filter?
No — Toyota warns that using the air conditioning with no filter fitted lets debris into the system and can damage it. Always refit a filter.

Which way round does the filter go?
The “UP” (or airflow arrow) marks printed on the frame must point up and in the direction of airflow. Fitting it upside down reduces efficiency and can let it sag out of its guides.

Carbon or standard filter — which should I buy?
Either fits. An activated-carbon filter also cuts odours and exhaust smells from traffic; a standard particulate filter is cheaper and fine for pollen and dust.

The glove box feels like it will break when I push it in — is that right?
The sides flex inward on purpose to clear the claws. Follow the drop-down steps exactly; forcing it any other way can crack the hinge.

For heating or air-con faults that log a code, see autodtcs.com.