🔧 Outlander - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

Your cabin air filter cleans the air going through your A/C and heater. When it gets dirty, airflow drops and you may notice musty smells or more dust inside the cabin.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.3-0.6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn ignition OFF and remove the key before working under the dash.
• ⚠️ Don’t force plastic tabs; they crack easily in cold weather.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty)
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
• Flashlight

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Cabin air filter - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Move the passenger seat back to give yourself working room.
• Have a trash bag ready for debris.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Empty and open the glove box

• Remove everything from the glove box so nothing falls out.
• Open the glove box fully.
• Use a flashlight to look along the right side of the glove box for a small “damper” arm (a little plastic shock absorber that slows the glove box).

Step 2: Disconnect the glove box damper

• Use a trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) to gently pry the damper arm off its pin (or unclip it, depending on style).
• Pry gently—small clips break easily.

Step 3: Drop the glove box down

• Push in on both sides of the glove box (near the top edges) to release the built-in stops.
• Let the glove box swing downward toward the floor.

Step 4: Remove the cabin filter access cover

• Behind the glove box, find the rectangular cabin filter cover.
• Release the tabs by hand; if it’s tight, use the trim removal tool (plastic) (specialty) to help.
• If your cover uses screws, remove them with a Phillips #2 screwdriver.

Step 5: Remove the old cabin air filter

• Slide the filter straight out.
• Keep it level so dirt and leaves don’t spill into the housing.

Step 6: Install the new cabin air filter

• Check the airflow arrow on the filter frame.
• Install it in the same direction as the old one came out (usually “AIR FLOW” arrow points downward on many Mitsubishi housings).
• Slide it in smoothly—do not bend or crush it.

Step 7: Reinstall the cover and glove box

• Reinstall the cabin filter cover by snapping the tabs back in place (or reinstall screws with a Phillips #2 screwdriver).
• Lift the glove box back up and snap the side stops back past the dash opening.
• Reconnect the damper arm by pressing it back onto its pin.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and run the blower on high for 30 seconds.
• Confirm you have strong airflow from the vents and no rattles behind the glove box.
• If there’s a bad smell, run A/C with fresh air (not recirculate) for a few minutes.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $15-$40 (parts only)

You Save: $40-$140 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3-0.6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.