The cabin air filter keeps the air inside your car smelling its best and prevents debris from flying around the space. You do need to change it out on a regular basis since the filter element fills up with dirt over time. To do that, you need the right filter.
What’s the best cabin air filter for the 2020 Toyota Camry?
If you want an OEM cabin filter, you can get one for around $35 from the Toyota Parts Center Online. K&N also makes cabin air filters if you want an aftermarket option that only costs a little bit more.
Should you get an aftermarket or OEM cabin air filter? Are these filters easy to change? How often do you need to replace them? You can learn the answers to all these questions by taking a quick trip through this helpful guide.
When You Should Change Your 2020 Camry Cabin Air Filter
To keep your cabin air filter in tiptop shape, Toyota recommends changing it every 12 months or 10,000 miles. K&N recommends the same service interval for their filters, though you’ll need to clean it, not replace it.
You should commit to servicing this part even more often if you live in an area with a lot of dust or allergens. If you don’t usually drive 10,000 miles in a year, just change or clean it annually instead.
Your auto tech can check the condition of this filter at every oil change to spot problems as they develop. If the filter looks damaged or dirty, they may recommend changing it early. With its relatively low cost, it’s usually worth replacing to keep the air in your cabin smelling and feeling its best.
If you feel comfortable doing minor service work on your car, you can easily change this filter yourself. You just need to:
- Open the glovebox and remove the filter cover
- Pull gently to remove the filter case
- Lift out the old filter and replace it with a new one
Make sure that you align the new filter with the arrows pointing up to get the right fit. Once that’s done, put the case and cover back, and then close the glovebox to finish up the job.
Aftermarket vs. OEM: Which is Better for Your Camry
When you buy OEM cabin air filters from Toyota, you know they will always fit just right and withstand the test of time. At $36 apiece, they won’t save you much money, but the precise fit alone is often well worth the cost.
Unless you upgrade to the $50 charcoal cabin air filter, you only get a basic filter designed to remove dust and debris. Charcoal goes beyond that by removing pollutants as well and it’s better at removing allergens.
OEM air filters are disposable, so you have to buy a new one each and every time. Aftermarket filters, like from K&N, are washable, allowing you to reuse them time and time again. They are designed to last just as long as your vehicle does, potentially saving you money over time.
Aftermarket cabin air filters are also electrostatically charged to remove more contaminants from the air as it passes through the filter and into your cabin space. They can keep pollen, mildew, and even germs from entering your breathing space, for example. Not even the charcoal ones can do all that.
Reusable filters are a bit more involved to service. You usually need to clean them thoroughly, and then let them dry fully before applying the refresher. Since this takes a bit longer than the replaceable variety, expect to pay a bit more at the shop or take a little extra time when changing them at home.
When choosing between OEM and aftermarket cabin air filters, it really comes down to your preference. Either way, just make sure to get high-quality parts that will not degrade prematurely or fail to perform as intended.
Photos: Toyota
