Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

Purchased initially as a inexpensive replacement for a 2 year old OEM filter - 87139-YZZ1 (Toyota Prius 2011). It was I think in August or September of 2013, and prior to purchase, I was constantly fighting with that smell comping from air conditioner. So, this new FRAM CF10285 Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter stopped the smell. Kind of, since it came back just a few weeks later, and I do not drive every day (just a few trips a week to the beach, summertime). And please note, there is no scent of any kind added to FRAM filter, so "Fresh Breeze" must mean just clean odorless air. Obviously, not with FRAM. Oh, and I was so exited first few days after I replaced the filter that I ordered two more just to have then ready for next year. The fall came and went its way, so we've said "Hello" to cold NY winter, at least 2013/2014. That's when the real problem began. The real problem is (like many other reviewers here noticed, I wish I've read all the reviews before ordering new untested product) that FRAM filter is not 100% copy of OEM filter. It uses different material, the weight is different (it is a bit heavier), it is slightly thicker and there are half of the ribs than there are on OEM Toyota 87139-YZZ1 filter. One may think that it is a good thing but it is exactly opposite. FRAM filter is not letting the air passing thru the filter go same way as it goes via OEM filter. As a result, I had to raise the fan speed 1-2 notches up just to keep the temperature inside at the same level as a year ago with OEM filter (during the summer when I first installed FRAM I haven't paid enough attention to airflow since my air conditioning was set on AUTO). The biggest problem came with temperatures below 0 °C (32 °F). The hot air that the fan was blowing to windshield and front driver/passenger windows and suppose to keep them fog-free was so week (even on almost highest speed) that it was impossible to drive. Even if I try to, shortly after I drive few hundreds of meters, the top 2/3 of windshield will freeze to the point is no visibility even with fan blowing the air at full speed! I never had such a problem with OEM filter. Initially I thought that there is a broblem with my car, like water leaking somewhere and then being blowed along with hot air to the windows where it will freeze on the inner side of windshield. It was literally like a an invisible steam which was condensing on the inner side of windows and freezing us in thin white colored ice coating. If the car wasn't moving, after 10-15 minutes most of the ice from the bottom will disappear. Then I thought that something is wrong with the filter and replaced it with one of these spare FRAM filters I purchased. Guess what: the problem didn't go away. Today morning, during the next winter storm "cleaning" NYC, after an hour if painful driving experience with very limited visibility (now I know that I can attribute this "benefit" to FRAM filter), It was time to do some search in Internet. To my surprise, first search came with results that confirmed my observations: FRAM filter is limiting airflow thus affecting the balanced airflow that is used to keep windshield warm enough and not allow water to condense and freeze. After finding this, I just did the right thing and went to closest Toyota dealer and purchased a OEM filter (something like $38-39, but on fleabay it is less than $30). Once I replaced the FRAM junk filter with OEM, all things immediately went to normal. I can even feel the difference in airflow going inside the cabin! I went two levels down on speed selector, the car cabin is heating much faster, and the windows are again ice/fog free! I am pretty sure that during the hot summer days the car will be cooled down much faster as well with OEM filter. I strongly suggest you to look at OEM (or at least quality OEM replacement filter that is guaranteed to be exact or higher than OEM spec) filter and stay away from this low quality Chinese sub-product. Genuine Toyota filter is Made in U.S.A. !!! P.S. I took a photo with both OEM and FRAM filters next to each other, see the difference yourself.