Dave-S Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 I wonder what engineering genius decided on this design? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6p82rB22y0 That design is wrong on so many levels it isn't even funny. Not only do they make it difficult to get to the filter there is a huge risk of breaking clips and parts as your doing it. And as the car gets older and those plastic parts and clips get brittle, the risk increases even more. So guess what I will be doing after my car is a year old...............removing the air filter and not replacing it at all. I have managed to survive quite a few decades without "filtered air" that I just don't see any point in having one if you have to go thru this gyration every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rp2388 Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 i would say it is intelligently designed by a company to get you to come back and do service with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 If checking the filter were a simple job, then it would also be easy to recommend to the customer to change it more frequently. Make it hard to check, and all they can do is recommend you change it at certain intervals and (I imagine) that isn't exactly cheap at the dealership when you consider both the parts and labor cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 This is obviously an offshoot of the European platforms (Fusion, Escape, Focus). Other Fords just have a simple door behind the glovebox. No way they made it that hard on purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 2, 2014 Author Share Posted October 2, 2014 Well someone obviously made it that difficult whether it was done overseas or over here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermans Posted October 2, 2014 Share Posted October 2, 2014 If checking the filter were a simple job, then it would also be easy to recommend to the customer to change it more frequently. Make it hard to check, and all they can do is recommend you change it at certain intervals and (I imagine) that isn't exactly cheap at the dealership when you consider both the parts and labor cost. Dealer = $90. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 3, 2014 Author Share Posted October 3, 2014 Motorcraft air filter at Rock Auto = $11.92 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Well someone obviously made it that difficult whether it was done overseas or over here. I just meant that I don't think they made it hard on purpose - it was just something they didn't have time to fix on the new platform. Let's see what happens on the new Edge - that one was engineered off the same platform but they should have time to fix that if they wanted to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted October 3, 2014 Share Posted October 3, 2014 Motorcraft air filter at Rock Auto = $11.92 That's where I got mine too -- I was concerned about how complicated/difficult it was gonna be so following the procedures in the youtube video I think it took me 18 minutes on my car. But then immediately after that I replaced the filter on my wife's car and the unknowns were gone, and this time it took about 8-10 minutes. Instead of detaching the glove box light and removing the glove box I just pulled the glove box out and rested it on my shins (wiring harness still connected) as I sat in the seat and still had room to access/replace the filter, with the only real PITA being laying down to get to those two screws underneath the dash that hold the glove box in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey151 Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 That's where I got mine too -- I was concerned about how complicated/difficult it was gonna be so following the procedures in the youtube video I think it took me 18 minutes on my car................. Thanks Jeff, doesn't seem all that bad................ Bet it wasn't any engineering choice, more like "here's the space you have left to put it". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionNewbie Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I was going to drop my car off at the dealer and get it done...but after seeing this I'm going to do it myself. Could one of you kindly put up the specific model/type of cabin air filter I need? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Could one of you kindly put up the specific model/type of cabin air filter I need? From rockauto.com: 2013 FORD FUSION 2.0L L4 Turbocharged : Heat & Air Conditioning : Cabin Air Filter MOTORCRAFT Part # FP71 {#DG9Z19N619A} $11.60 WIX Part # WP10084 $15.51 Edited October 17, 2014 by jeff_h Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 To the OP... DO NOT leave out the filter. A few dollar filter is cheaper than a several thousand dollar evaporator core replacement because its plugged. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionNewbie Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 From rockauto.com: 2013 FORD FUSION 2.0L L4 Turbocharged : Heat & Air Conditioning : Cabin Air Filter MOTORCRAFT Part # FP71 {#DG9Z19N619A} $11.60 WIX Part # WP10084 $15.51 Thanks jeff! Do I need both parts or just the MOTORCRAFT Part? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Thanks jeff! Do I need both parts or just the MOTORCRAFT Part? Either one of those should work, I use the Motorcraft but some prefer Wix for everything etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share Posted October 19, 2014 Jeff If you are going to be replacing your filter on a regular basis then order 3- 4 filters at a time to save the shipping charges. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff_h Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 If you are going to be replacing your filter on a regular basis then order 3- 4 filters at a time to save the shipping charges. Good idea, which is exactly why I've been doing that with lots of oil and air filters from rockauto for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionNewbie Posted October 26, 2014 Share Posted October 26, 2014 (edited) Finally got around to changing the air filter...took me 15 minutes and saved me a bunch of money! Super easy. Edited October 26, 2014 by FusionNewbie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 27, 2014 Author Share Posted October 27, 2014 I still don't classify the job as "easy" but it's also not hard. My Hyundai Sonata was easy. It required no tools and about five minutes worth of effort. My big concern going forward is breakage of parts as the car gets older. You cant' just be yanking a major trim piece like that front vent trim piece and expect it not to break or be damaged after doing it a few dozen times. This is still a really poor design in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FusionNewbie Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I still don't classify the job as "easy" but it's also not hard. My Hyundai Sonata was easy. It required no tools and about five minutes worth of effort. My big concern going forward is breakage of parts as the car gets older. You cant' just be yanking a major trim piece like that front vent trim piece and expect it not to break or be damaged after doing it a few dozen times. This is still a really poor design in my opinion. Definitely agree with you on the part breakage...one of the bendable elbows that keeps the cover over the filter was already broken and this was my FIRST time even going into that compartment. That being said, everything is additionally held in by screws so if those break it's not a huge deal. My biggest worry is the tabs keeping the glove compartment/AC cover attached to the front panel. However, those things are coming off whether I do it or whether the Ford tech who is rushing to get through a 15 car service line does it...I'd personally rather do it with care, and save money in the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave-S Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 (edited) Definitely agree with you on the part breakage...one of the bendable elbows that keeps the cover over the filter was already broken and this was my FIRST time even going into that compartment. That being said, everything is additionally held in by screws so if those break it's not a huge deal. My biggest worry is the tabs keeping the glove compartment/AC cover attached to the front panel. However, those things are coming off whether I do it or whether the Ford tech who is rushing to get through a 15 car service line does it...I'd personally rather do it with care, and save money in the process. Agreed................there is no way i would let a Ford Tech do the job especially if they break something, don't report it, and it is hidden from view. Edited October 28, 2014 by Dave-S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Showstopr30 Posted May 17, 2016 Share Posted May 17, 2016 Gunna revive an old thread, This your friendly reminder to change your cabin filter. My car has 45k miles and this is what the filter looked like when I pulled it out today. It's super easy if you watch the tutorials on youtube a time or two before. I found a, I believe it was, 9/16 socket to work the best for the screws. All in all it took me 20 minutes start to finish. Just take your time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hekix Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) Hi all , just did mine , the cabin filter pending where you live ( trees etc.) may need semi-annual changing to maintain good air flow it should be more accessible . Made my own filter out of HVAC polyester pre filter material layered to fill the filter compartment. The old filter was twice as blocked as @showstopr30 pictured. Edited November 1, 2016 by hekix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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