Very true! Seems they are making it more complicated for the owner to do any maintenance.

 

so is changing the cabin air filter something the dealer will generally do when changing the oil or other regular maintenance? or is the user expected to do this themselves always, or deal with a dirty one for the lifetime of the truck?

 

The dealer will never change this for free. They will charge both for the filter and for the effort. My 2013 doesn't have one, but my Fusion does. Dealer wanted something like $40 or $50. Filter was $12, took 10 minutes from start to finish.

 

So I went to the dealer today to get my air filter and asked to purchase the cabin filter also but he told me my 15 3.5 ecoboost doesn't have one? after reading this thread I know that I have one, but now where do I buy one?.

 

I love being able to change mine in under a minute.

You can pick them up at any local auto parts store, or order a dozen from RockAuto if you plan to keep the truck.

Part number: FP-79

This is 6 months/12k of use in a non smokers vehicle, but I recycle all the time.

 

15,000 miles interval again and 6 months the filter is filthy. Was as dirty as the engine air filter again. I can change it in about 2 minutes now after learning how last time I did it. 7mm 2 bolts, unhook glove box light gently this time after pulling the plastic cover forward.

 

Had mine changed at 12,500 and it wasn't too bad.

 

I don't get the cabin air filter. Doesn't anyone drive with windows open? How does that air get filtered? What is the purpose of the cabin air filter? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

I rarely drive with the windows open and definitely not at all during the winter.

 

Its a filter on the truck side of the blower motor. Any air coming from the dash/blower goes through it.

They are usually NASTY at 15 on all cars.