Paul's Travel Pictures

Ford Focus Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the HVAC system's cabin air filter element in a 3rd generation (MK III) 2011-2014 Ford Focus.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-001
2012 Focus Kick Panel
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-002
Look Below Glove Box
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-003
Squeeze & Remove Fastener
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation MK III (2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Ford Focus sedan or hatchback in cleaning or replacing the A/C system's cabin air filter element.

Owners of other similar Ford vehicles built upon the "Global C" (C1) compact car platform such as the C-Max, Escape, Kuga and Transit Connect may also find these DIY instructions to be useful.

A few compatible replacement cabin air filter elements include the following with their part numbers: Ecogard XC36174, Motorcraft FP70, Wix 24419, TYC 800183P, NPN # 118418-01181745,  ACDelco CF2291 and Cleenaire CAF6196.

A Torx T-15 star bit screwdriver may be needed to access the OEM air filter.

A wet/dry shop vacuum may also be useful for cleaning the existing element if it isn't very dirty and you plan on re-using it.



 
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-004
Cap Removed - Yellow Rivet
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-005
Remove Under Dash Panel
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-006
Interior Fuse Panel Location
The first two steps are to sit in the front passenger seat of the vehicle and then locate the dark grey carpeted panel below the glove box in the foot well.

The foot well panel is held in place by two round black plastic friction fasteners that are attached to yellow pop rivets.

Edit - A thoughtful person sent an email to inform me that there should have been a Torx T-15 star head screw at the bottom of the filter cover. That screw must have been missing on this 2012 Focus.

If your filter cover has a screw on the bottom, loosen it in the counterclockwise direction with a Torx T15 screwdriver.

Squeeze the sides of the black plastic fasteners and slide them straight off the yellow pop rivets.

Remove the dark grey foot well cover and set it aside in a safe place. Behind the panel, you'll see the passenger compartment interior fuse panel.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-007
Squeeze Together Tabs
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-008
Pull Off Filter Cover
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-009
Filter Access Panel Removed
At the front left area of the foot well, just in front of the center console, you'll see the rectangular black plastic filter access cover.

Squeeze together the two large black plastic tabs near the bottom of the cover to release the clips and pull the access panel away from the blower motor housing. Set the filter cover aside in a safe place.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-010
Edge of Old Cabin Filter
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-011
Begin Sliding Out Filter
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-012
Once the filter cover has been removed, you'll see the white or light grey edge of the old filter.

Gently slide the old filter straight out of the slot in the blower motor housing.



 

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-013
Bend Flexible Filter Out
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-014
Filter Slot - Blower Housing
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-015
OEM Filter After 30K Miles

You may need to bend the filter to get it around the various tubes, wires, hoses and other plastic panels that are in the way.

Don't be afraid to bend the filter since it is flexible and won't be easily damaged. Just be sure to carefully route the filter around the obstructions and don't cause any rips or tears if you plan on re-using it.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out any large debris and remove the fine dust with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner.

If the old element is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, hair, insects, leaves, pollen and twigs, it should be replaced with a brand new unit. If you have severe allergies, consider purchasing an activated carbon filter.

I recommend buying the Ecogard XC36174 cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-016
Clean Filter With Vacuum
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-017
Gently Insert New Filter
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-018
Slide Filter In Past Fuses
Gently insert the new air filter in to the slot with the "Air Flow" indicator arrow facing towards the rear of the vehicle.

You will need to compress the pleats or bend the filter to get it around the fuse panel and under the bottom of the dash board. Do not use excessive force to avoid tearing or puncturing the filter.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-019
New Filter Installed In Slot
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-020
Filter Cover & 2 Clips
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-021
Insert Top Part In First
Make sure that the new filter is fully seated inside the slot with the "Air Flow" arrow facing towards the back of the vehicle.

Insert the top edge of the rectangular black plastic filter cover in place first.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-022
Press Tabs & Push In
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-023 Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-024
Push Lower End In Place
Pinch together the two tabs at the end of the springy black plastic arms and push the lower part of the cover in place.

If your cabin air filter access panel was equipped with a screw at the bottom of the cover, tighten it in the clockwise direction with the Torx T15 star bit screwdriver. (The screw was missing on this 2012 Focus sedan.)

Double check that the filter cover is securely in place before moving on to the next steps.

Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-025
Filter Cover Replaced
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-026 Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-027
Line Up Foot Well Cover
Line up the foot well panel and insert the two yellow pop rivets attached to the bottom of the dashboard through the corresponding holes.
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-028
Push Black Fasteners On
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-029
Slide Black Cap On Yellow Peg
Ford-Focus-HVAC-Cabin-Air-Filter-Replacement-Guide-030
Cabin Air Filter Replaced
Push the two black plastic friction fasteners straight on to the yellow pop rivets to secure the foot well cover in place.

Enjoy the fresh clean air from your A/C system!

For more, check out my other Ford Focus Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info