For many people it is more a question of “what is it?” or “do I really have one?” then “do I really need to need to replace it?” For the last decade many of the vehicles on the road have a cabin air filter. It is there to help clean the incoming air into the cabin area. It is usually a pleated filter much like the engine air filter, but its job is to keep dust, pollen, and other fine particles out of the air we breathe inside the vehicle.

Since there is such a large amount of debris in the air these days it is important to check and replace this filter on a regular basis. Even more critical if there are individuals with allergies, asthma, or other health issues involved. Mitsubishi recommends replacing the filter every 15,000 miles or 12 months in normal conditions. It depends on the conditions in your area. Dusty or smoggy areas move the recommendation to inspecting your filter to every 3,750 miles or 3 months. Check your owner’s manual for your vehicle’s schedule.

Genuine Mitsubishi cabin air filters are available in standard and premium designs for many models. The standard filter is laboratory tested to filter up to 95% of dust particles and pollen in the air. The premium cabin air filter offers additional filtering by using an activated charcoal layer that absorbs odors, like a sponge, and also removes harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide, fuels and ozone into pores that are 10,000 times finer than a human hair.

The cabin air filter can be located in the engine compartment, under the front seat, below the dash or in many models behind the glove compartment. It is usually not a difficult procedure to replace it, but can be tricky sometimes to locate it and correctly remove the clips and panels to get to it.

Do you really need it? – If you want to have cleaner air to breathe a new genuine Mitsubishi cabin air filter is the way to go. A dirty or clogged filter will not stop your car from running, but it will prevent proper air flow through your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Prevent the additional strain on the blower motor, improve the circulation, and breathe easier by replacing the filter on a regular schedule. Oh and you were wondering where to get a great deal on a genuine Mitsubishi cabin air filter. That part is easy – the online catalog at MitsubishiPartsPeople.com.