Make your own the frame is there I found a cut to size home kit that had a charcoal part and it has worked out fine. One filter costs less than the Toyota and you can make about 6 out of one easily!

 

I also make my own. I go to Home Depot and for $6 get a home filter and cut to size. Save the rest to be used again. This is much cheaper than buying them from Toyota or from any auto parts store.

 

in my LE, dealer have used both. I remember one time it looks like the picture from the bottom while other time, it looks like the one on top.

I guess it doesn't matter.

However, as other suggested, I go DIY. Got the 3M filter from Home Depot and I replace it more often, and much cheaper.

DIY, it makes you feel smarter than the rest who pay $20+ for the part @ dealer

 

is there a part number or link to what i should buy from home depot

 

all you need to do is to go to the air/vent section and look for air filter for your HAC.
just cut it to size and replace it.

There is no specific part number if you go DIY. any 3M filter will work
Many users have done that in this forum I believe.

 

this type is wshat I used

http://www.homedepot.com/Building-M...nZ66xgp/R-100351661/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

 

is there a part number or link to what i should buy from home depot

I got something like this...
http://www.homedepot.com/Building-Materials-Heating-Venting-Cooling-Air-Filters/h_d1/N-5yc1vZaq3nZ66xgp/R-100010472/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

and cut down to size to fit in the frame. Remove the old filter paper from the plastic frame and insert the new cut piece.

When you cut from the large filter, watch out for the metal "mesh wire". You'll need to cut through that as well.

 

...
it says I should use this one for a ce/le

But what I already have looks more like this:

Which is listed as for the XLE only

Are they interchangeable?

in my LE, dealer have used both. I remember one time it looks like the picture from the bottom while other time, it looks like the one on top.

I guess it doesn't matter.

I have previously had the dealer change these; during a routine maintenance service, there is no additional labour charge for them to do it. I finally did it myself this time, as I have given up on routine dealer service (for reasons unrelated to the cabin air filter).

One time that I had the dealer do it, I had them keep the old one for me (not that I don't trust them...) and it was like the second photo. This time I bought the OEM part, and again it was like the second photo; I don't think the parts guy even asked which trim level it was (mine is an LE).

I'm sure that it doesn't matter as long as it fits in the plastic frame and fits well enough around the edges that the air goes through the filter, rather than bypassing around it through some gap.

 

I just popped mine out. Both filters will work. I have the bottom picture one in my van now. On looking at the tray it is also set up for the top picture one (BTW it is upside down) ;D It will not fit in the tray properly if installed that way as there are little tabs that hold it in place.

 

You can search "FRAM CF10132 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter" on amazon. It is currently listed as $13.04. You can also get it at walmart stores for $14.

 

Confirmed @ December 10, 2024 ~ this search brings forth good results for cabin air filters AND kits with cabin and a/c filters & installation helper tools for about $22.00 USD

 

Hey Folks,

The other day I came across this link to a blog where they post photos and instructions as to how to make your own cabin filter for a Toyota Yaris.

I'm sure the details on the Sienna will be a bit different, but the photos of the filter "customization" are still pretty interesting, and I think may be of use to us folks over here in Sienna-land.

...art

 

That's very cool. That guy looks like he does some very interesting stuff...if the other items on the side are his work. Almost looks like stuff you see in the new TV show [Warehouse 13].

Anyway....what he does is leaning more towards a very "pro" DIY job. Most of the rest of us simply cut the filters to fit (I also used a little bit of duct tape) and put it into the plastic tray. Do some math to figure out the best size "donator" filter to buy so you can make the most Sienna filters without wasting too much. Be sure to note/mark the direction of airflow for the filter AND for the plastic tray. The only somewhat tricky parts are removing and re-installing the right-side hinge/piston on the lower glovebox....and not cutting your fingers/hands if you get a filter that has metal reinforcing mesh. It's definitely NOT rocket-science and once you've spent a few minutes looking at it all you will find that it's not much harder than changing most household tablelamp lightbulbs.

You just KNOW Toyota will eventually come up with some proprietary fastener that requires a proprietary tool to access the filter tray compartment........ ~sigh~ : 8)

 

One last aside: you can get aftermarket filters for $5-7 each online from ebay or other stores. They often list the XLE filter separately from the CE/LE. The main difference is that the XLE has activated charcoal in the filter material. This is supposed to reduce aromas along with the filtering properties. you decide if that is worth it for you.

http://cgi.ebay.ca/2004-2005-2006-2...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item5d26049f6c&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_715wt_956

 

One last aside: you can get aftermarket filters for $5-7 each online from ebay or other stores.

Cool .... but $24 shipping for those of us in Canada, vs $3.91 shipping for the US (I checked with qty 2)

Anyone seen something like this in Canada?

...art

 

Not online (yet) and not for that price. Crappy Tire sells Micron-air the ~15-20 range. iirc the part# is TY00145P for the Sienna.
Gotta say... I like the DIY approach because its likely 99% as effective and a quarter the price. Haven't done it myself... but will.
I am sure you could find carbon activated filters as well if you want a higher degree of air quality.... I do not believe any home airfilter would be more restrictive than the auto filter and therefore not likely to cause extra wear on blowers etc to push the air through it.

 

One last aside: you can get aftermarket filters for $5-7 each online from ebay or other stores.

Cool .... but $24 shipping for those of us in Canada, vs $3.91 shipping for the US (I checked with qty 2)

Anyone seen something like this in Canada?

...art

Might be worth it to get a PO Box at the UPS store here on the US side and have it delivered there for you to pick up if you're close enough.

 

You just KNOW Toyota will eventually come up with some proprietary fastener that requires a proprietary tool to access the filter tray compartment........ ~sigh~ : 8)

Based on my old Civic experience, if it were Honda there would be two fasteners, each requiring a different tool (wrench or screwdriver) to turn them, for no apparent reason... and one side of the glovebox would break after a few years.

 

Cool .... but $24 shipping for those of us in Canada, vs $3.91 shipping for the US (I checked with qty 2)

Anyone seen something like this in Canada?

No, but if any of the online suppliers ship by standard US Postal Service (mail), instead of a special USPS services or a freight/courier company, it would likely be much more reasonable... I can wait a few days for delivery of this sort of item.

 

I'm pretty sure I bought them here:

http://www.logical-source.com/searc...sults.asp?make=TOYOTA&year=2005&model=SIENNA&ItemsPerPage=10&StartItemNumber=11

$3.90 for the CE model and $6.67 for the xle.

Shipping to Canada for 4 of them was $14.18 and they arrived USPS in my mailbox without any brokerage or GST charges.

Cool .... but $24 shipping for those of us in Canada, vs $3.91 shipping for the US (I checked with qty 2)

Anyone seen something like this in Canada?

No, but if any of the online suppliers ship by standard US Postal Service (mail), instead of a special USPS services or a freight/courier company, it would likely be much more reasonable... I can wait a few days for delivery of this sort of item.

 

Just ordered the cabin air filter through Amazon.com (it was a third party supplier). Cost about 15 bucks with shipping. Local Schucks auto parts store wanted about 22 bucks for it.

A year or so ago, my local Toyota dealer (Lithia Toyota in Medford, Oregon) changed out the cabin air filter without asking me and charged me fifty bucks: twenty for the filter plus thirty for the labor.

I am not skilled with auto repair, but it took me no more than five minutes total. The filter came with instructions for popping out the glove box and changing the filter.

Easy job, auto dealer ripoff!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure I bought them here:

http://www.logical-source.com/searc...sults.asp?make=TOYOTA&year=2005&model=SIENNA&ItemsPerPage=10&StartItemNumber=11

$3.90 for the CE model and $6.67 for the xle.

Shipping to Canada for 4 of them was $14.18 and they arrived USPS in my mailbox without any brokerage or GST charges.

Cool .... but $24 shipping for those of us in Canada, vs $3.91 shipping for the US (I checked with qty 2)

Anyone seen something like this in Canada?

No, but if any of the online suppliers ship by standard US Postal Service (mail), instead of a special USPS services or a freight/courier company, it would likely be much more reasonable... I can wait a few days for delivery of this sort of item.

$4.00 for the filter, that's pretty cheap

 

...
A year or so ago, my local Toyota dealer (Lithia Toyota in Medford, Oregon) changed out the cabin air filter without asking me and charged me fifty bucks: twenty for the filter plus thirty for the labor.
...
Easy job, auto dealer ripoff!!!!

That's incredible. The dealers around here include the labour of checking the filter - and changing it if necessary - in the flat-rate "Maintenance Service", which is an oil change plus the various other 16,000 km (10,000 mile) inspection services.

If I had not signed anything asking for the filter change, I would likely refuse to pay it for the labour. I might even take a shot at not paying for the filter, offering that they could remove it if they wanted to keep it... that would provide an illustration of just how quick it is to change!

 

I'm with [brian].....in most states, it is illegal to perform "additional" automotive repairs/services without express authorization....or rather, it is illegal to charge the customer for them without prior consent/approval. You will normally get a written estimate for the cost of services to be performed up front which will require your signature signifying your approval. Later, as the services are being performed and additional issues are identified the estimate may need to be modified/adjusted to include other or different services, but these also usually require your pre-approval and consent before they are performed. This usually comes in the form of a phone call advising you of the new situation and change in the estimated costs and an inquiry as to whether or not you will authorize them. Good recordkeeping by the repair shop will usually note who placed the call to you, the time, the revised cost estimate or amount of increase, and a notation with your "verbal" approval over the phone...it is even better if they get you to sign a revised cost estimate in-person.....especially if it is a substantial cost increase. Anything done without such an approval from you generally means you get a "freebie". I would be extremely wary of "trusting" a repair shop that made it a practice to do such things on a regular basis and then tried to charge you for it after the fact.

YMMV.
Good Luck!! 8)

 

I just purchased two of the Fram cabin filters for my XLE from Amazon for $13 each. It's supposed to have baking soda to help absorb odors. It's free shipping for any order over $25, so I bought two to bring the total to $26.

My local dealer (Daly City Toyota) wanted $45 for it, and my local Kragen Auto Parts was $26. These prices are before tax. Absolutely nuts. I didn't go the DIY way, just because I'm lazy.

 

...
A year or so ago, my local Toyota dealer (Lithia Toyota in Medford, Oregon) changed out the cabin air filter without asking me and charged me fifty bucks: twenty for the filter plus thirty for the labor.
...
Easy job, auto dealer ripoff!!!!

That's incredible. The dealers around here include the labour of checking the filter - and changing it if necessary - in the flat-rate "Maintenance Service", which is an oil change plus the various other 16,000 km (10,000 mile) inspection services.

If I had not signed anything asking for the filter change, I would likely refuse to pay it for the labour. I might even take a shot at not paying for the filter, offering that they could remove it if they wanted to keep it... that would provide an illustration of just how quick it is to change!

Things on the west side of Canada must be more on the up and up. Living in Ontario and asking my wife to get an oil change... the dealership pulled out the cabin air filter "showed" my wife how dirty it was and proceeded to replace it. I was a while ago now but it was OVER $50 to have this done... Needless to say, I explained to my wife that the filter probably did need changing, just not for $50+ at the stealership. I can buy the paper part of the filter for $15 at crappy tire. After reading a few posts on Sienna Chat this is still a ridiculous price! I couldn't ask for a refund, my wife did give permission to change the filter. So, I $40 oil change ended up being over $100. I was not impressed. They would not have tried this with me. I was charged labour and they would have had to put the old filter back if my wife had declined. What a joke.