PSA: Don't forget your cabin air filter

[ack154]

This is from my wife's Forester - whoops - but the point is the same. I think I forgot about it for a bit and this is after about 40k miles. WAY too long. I try to stick to about 20k between filter changes myself. And that 20k is what Ford recommends for the Mach-E (I'll probably be there in a few months at this rate). Lesson learned though, I now have a separate checkbox on my maintenance spreadsheet for both of our cars - just not sure why I didn't already have one.

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[Murse-In-Airy]

Often overlooked. But very important. And so cheap and easy to replace it’s almost criminal not to address it. (Easy to say for the guy who’s center screen is currently laying on his passenger seat).

 

[ack154]

Yup, super easy in pretty much every car I've had. One watchout I've seen in a couple threads here though is that the tabs on the side of the filter cover can apparently break. So something to be careful of. Otherwise the filters are pretty cheap - even the "good" OEM filter is < $20 at RockAuto (part number FPP89).

 

[tuminatr]

Or buy a activated carbon & baking soda filter for $14 off Amazon

JOJOMARK Cabin Air Filter JM542 Fits for 2021 2022 2023 Mustang Mach-E, 2020-2023 Bronco Sport, 2020-22 Ford Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Fit for JX6Z19N619BA (1 PCS) https://a.co/d/3W3b5Tf

 

[rolltide]

Or buy a activated carbon & baking soda filter for $14 off Amazon

JOJOMARK Cabin Air Filter JM542 Fits for 2021 2022 2023 Mustang Mach-E, 2020-2023 Bronco Sport, 2020-22 Ford Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Fit for JX6Z19N619BA (1 PCS) https://a.co/d/3W3b5Tf

That's what I got and it works great. It was tricky to install so be careful with the tabs.

 

[phil]

But very important.

Why is it very important? What bad stuff happens if you're late changing the filter?

 

[Tampamike]

Why is it very important? What bad stuff happens if you're late changing the filter?

It gets dirty?

 

[MBCook]

You WANT one with activated carbon. It absorbs smells and is absolutely worth it.

I was trapped in line for fast food for like 25 minutes today. As soon as I rolled down my window it was obvious the car in front of me wasn’t tuned well, I smelled some gas.

The whole time I was sitting with my windows closed? Nothing.

Car exhaust, skunks, roadkill, cigarettes at intersections, fresh asphalt… all gone or mostly eliminated if very strong.

Do it. It costs nothing. Such a nice little QoL benefit.

Edit to add: here’s mine. I saw someone here recommend it 2 years ago or so: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08Y8J86BH

 

[tuminatr]

You WANT one with activated carbon. It absorbs smells and is absolutely worth it.

I was trapped in line for fast food for like 25 minutes today. As soon as I rolled down my window it was obvious the car in front of me wasn’t tuned well, I smelled some gas.

The whole time I was sitting with my windows closed? Nothing.

Car exhaust, skunks, roadkill, cigarettes at intersections, fresh asphalt… all gone or mostly eliminated if very strong.

Do it. It costs nothing. Such a nice little QoL benefit.

Completely agree, I buy a new one every year. The one I posted has been my go to it works great.

 

[Murse-In-Airy]

Why is it very important? What bad stuff happens if you're late changing the filter?

I’ve seen some air filters get neglected to the point that they prevent almost all airflow. Granted that takes years of neglect. Or mouse nests built on top of the filters that would go undiscovered if you don’t check/change it, leading to the air being “filtered” through a smelly mouse nest. ?

 

[Teslaeata]

This is from my wife's Forester - whoops - but the point is the same. I think I forgot about it for a bit and this is after about 40k miles. WAY too long. I try to stick to about 20k between filter changes myself. And that 20k is what Ford recommends for the Mach-E (I'll probably be there in a few months at this rate). Lesson learned though, I now have a separate checkbox on my maintenance spreadsheet for both of our cars - just not sure why I didn't already have one.

Service intervals on the UK Mach-e is 2 yrs unlimited so for me means around 60,000 miles

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

Or buy a activated carbon & baking soda filter for $14 off Amazon

JOJOMARK Cabin Air Filter JM542 Fits for 2021 2022 2023 Mustang Mach-E, 2020-2023 Bronco Sport, 2020-22 Ford Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Fit for JX6Z19N619BA (1 PCS) https://a.co/d/3W3b5Tf

Ordered! Thx

 

[AtomicInternet]

Or buy a activated carbon & baking soda filter for $14 off Amazon

JOJOMARK Cabin Air Filter JM542 Fits for 2021 2022 2023 Mustang Mach-E, 2020-2023 Bronco Sport, 2020-22 Ford Escape, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, Corsair, Fit for JX6Z19N619BA (1 PCS) https://a.co/d/3W3b5Tf

Thanks for this! I'm glad they finally share this with so many other vehicles. My Focus RS shares it with the Escape and C-max so at some point I'll have to start hoarding them before they stop making them.

 

[ack154]

I’ve seen some air filters get neglected to the point that they prevent almost all airflow. Granted that takes years of neglect. Or mouse nests built on top of the filters that would go undiscovered if you don’t check/change it, leading to the air being “filtered” through a smelly mouse nest. ?

I actually told my wife I was surprised she hadn't mentioned any odd smells. Could very easily get a musty/mildewy smell out of something like that. And I'm sure you'll find plenty of stories of AC or heat "not working" to find out it's just a blocked filter that's never been changed.

However, it definitely feels like one of those things that service departments LOVE to overcharge on and unnecessarily replace. But it's so easy to do almost no one should be getting it done at the dealership.

Oh... and if you suspect there might be a nest or a lot of ... debris inside, on top of the filter, use caution taking it out. Sometimes you can slip in a sheet of paper (or some light paperboard - like a cereal box) underneath the filter as you pull it out. This can prevent any of that stuff falling past the filter as you pull it out.

 

[BudC]

I replaced mine, but the little plastic latch thingy broke off ?

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