[psychoart]

Has anyone got their cabin air filter replaced yet?

I've read the owner's manual, and it recommends replacing it every 20,000 miles. My dealer has certainly not replaced it with the 2 year free complimentary service. Anyone knows how to replaced it?

The manual only says, "It is located inside the instrument panel and to the left of the glove box (page 140)." Nothing specific on how to replace it but to go to yo' dealer for a $13 part. :crying

Part: Motorcraft FP-70 Cabin Air Filter.

 

[Abraham]

That is oddly vague and doesn't make much sense to remove the instrument panel to get to it. Usually it's located behind the glove compartment. Maybe try a garage near you?
Sorry I can't help.

 

[espressomac]

Could it be it's a similar procedure to the Ford Escape?

https://youtu.be/hBjIF7Ct1zc

 

[DeMarco]

Could it be it's a similar procedure to the Ford Escape?

https://youtu.be/hBjIF7Ct1zc

I'm willing to bet that's the case since with all the cost cutting efforts, they're bound to cut in an area we can't see unless we dig, like for something as simple as a cabin filter.

 

[psychoart]

Well, I finally had a chance to replace the cabin air filter and the air filter. I got about 28,000 miles, and yes my el cheapo Lincoln dealer has not replaced none of them! The good thing is that they are easy enough to replace by oneself = no special "German" service cost required.:grin

For the cabin air filter, the process is similar to the Ford Escape. However, our MKC has no love as our escape. Instead of the nice pull tabs posted on the video, we get just plastic tabs that can break and may need to be replaced every time you try to take the cover off. There are nicer plastic tabs with two pieces for easier maintenance/access. We just get a simple plastic push tab going 1 way in!

 

[LeeB]

Well, I finally had a chance to replace the cabin air filter and the air filter. I got about 28,000 miles, and yes my el cheapo Lincoln dealer has not replaced none of them!

Shouldn't this be included as part of the 2-year/24k complimentary maintenance?

 

[Chuck]

Just had the dealer replace the engine air filter and the cabin air filter at 30,000 miles.I initially thought I would replace both myself but after trying to locate the cabin air filter I gave up.Don't know how the service tech did the cabin but when the car was returned the passenger seat back was all the way down. Guessing he was upside down in the seat. Also the filters are not part of the free maintance package. Had to pay approx. $50. for parts and labor.

 

[todd92]

The free maintenance is for 2 years/24,000 miles.

 

[countryguy]

I checked what is covered in the prepaid maintenance and it doesn't appear that the cabin air filter is included.

 

[LeeB]

Almost 2 years and 20K on the MKC, so I replaced the cabin air filter today (Motorcraft FP-70).

As noted by Psychoart, the MKC cover lacks the nice release fasteners used on the Escape and instead uses simple Christmas-tree type clips. I broke 2 of the 3 clips in the removal process. I think the intention is to remove the fasteners with the cover; doing so might salvage them. I replaced all 3 with removable push-pull fasteners from NAPA, which should considerably ease the process next time.

Only about half of the filter access opening is visible, so maneuvering the replacement filter into the housing is a combination of feel and luck. Mine went into position without much difficulty.

The old filter was grisly--lots of embedded dirt and even some mold. 20K seems too long an interval. Next time, I'll replace the filter at about 7.5K miles.

 

[kmccart]

Where is the access? Under the hood? Under the dash?

 

[2015 MSM]

access is under the glove box to the left, parallel to the firewall. You will likely need to remove the trim panel under the glove box 2 push pin type plasticky screws,then use a torx driver(forgot the number) and unscrew one screw at the base, then there are 2 tabs that get squeezes and then pull the access cover. It is easy to pull the filter, to replace, suggest snaking it in and turn( softly bend) it in and push, pleat by pleat, just did mine last week...about 10-20 minutes depending on effort and frustration..I'd say on a 1-10 scale that it was a solid 5. Similar to the Ford Escape video on YouTube.

 

[LeeB]

3 plastic fasteners secure the trim panel, 2 at the top, 1 at the bottom toward the firewall. The torx screw is #20 .

 

[kkreit01]

Back when I had a '10 MKZ, the cabin filter was included in the free dealer maintenance. I wasn't even taking it to the dealer I purchased it from.

 

[kkreit01]

I changed mine the other day -- at 18,000+ of urban driving. It was pretty black, but didn't have "chunks" of stuff in it. The dealer wanted $70 to change it, and mentioned "removing the glove box". For one, I still think it should be covered -- that's what "free maintenance" means. Any, I laughed and said I would change it myself. I ordered a Cleenaire CAF6196 filter -- which a lot of Focus owners seemed to use. It's fuzed with carbon/charcoal, and can be positioned either way (no directional arrow for airflow). The old filter came out fine. I had a heck of a time putting the new one in. There's not much wiggle room -- with the fusebox in the way. Also, the new filter was much more rigid than the old one. After a few twists, turns, sweat, and scratches, I was finally able to get it in. $12.97 well spent.

 

[Fillimerica]

Just did my cabin air filter @ 31K on my 2016 MKC. The instructions here were helpful but I should add a few details:
1. Took me a solid hour of being a contortionist. Big problem was lack of light in the tight spaces you have to work in.
2. The plastic panel that covers the underside of the foot well has 3 1-way x-mas tree type plugs. They were a ***** to remove without damaging or gouging the plastic panel. I bought new ones but note! The plug near the firewall is a different size than the front two plugs, and I had to leave that one out on the re-install.
3. The carpet in my MKC made getting to the #20 Torx screw nearly impossible. Same goes for trying to remove the cover. The carpet was in the way of the bottom tab and there was no way to move the carpet out of the way.
4. I crammed the new filter into the slot, but with limited visibility who knows if it got back into shape after being abused.

I can understand why some sites say to remove the glove box, and the electronic module. That is really the only way to get adequate access. Next time I'm going to try that method (in another 30K hopefully!)

 

[Fillimerica]

Here is a picture of what I am talking about:
The arrow points to the screw, and the red lines show the carpet level. There is actually a gully and the screw and tab are in the gully.
You really can't bend the carpet down either, because it is on some sort of rigid formed plastic backing that makes the shape for the corner.

 

[bobandsherry]

Just crazy that auto manufacturer's don't make these easily accessible. I don't understand why they don't, seems if it's designed in they can put it someone that you could get to.

 

[Ksleb123]

Just crazy that auto manufacturer's don't make these easily accessible. I don't understand why they don't, seems if it's designed in they can put it someone that you could get to.

Umm, it’s a “racket”...manufactures and dealers don’t want “do it youselfers” to have access. They want you to get frustrated and give up and to have to pay for the “expert” labor at a dealer or expensive garage.