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Ford Mustang Cabin Air Filter Replacement Guide
How to clean or change the HVAC system's cabin air filter element in a revised 5th generation 2010 to 2014 Ford Mustang.

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Left Side of Engine Bay
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Plastic Fastener In Cowl
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Plastic Screw In Center
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the updated fifth generation (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014) Ford Mustang in cleaning or changing the HVAC system's cabin air filter element.

Owners of the earlier 5th generation Mustangs from 2005 to 2009 and other Ford vehicles with the cabin filter located under the passenger side cowl such as the 1996 to 2004 Taurus and the 2008 to 2012 Escape may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

A few compatible replacement filters with their part numbers are as follows: TYC 800022P, Motorcraft FP53, Mann MC 1066, Wix 24687, OEM CAF124P, Purolator C25572, Hastings AFC1312, Denso 453-2056, Ecogard XC25572, Premium Guard PC5572, Bosch P3756WS and K&N VF2020.

The only tool needed to replace the filter is a Phillips head screwdriver.

A wet/dry shop vacuum can be useful for cleaning the housing and the existing filter.



 
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Remove Black Plastic Screw
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Remove Larger Outer Piece
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Remove 2nd Plastic Screw
The first two steps are to pop open the hood and then move to the front passenger side of the black plastic cowl in front of the windshield.

Locate the two black plastic fasteners on the passenger side of the cowl near the 12V car battery.

Loosen the black plastic screw in the center of each fastener by turning them counter clockwise with the Phillips head screwdriver.

Remove the small plastic screw first and then pull out the larger outer piece of the fastener.

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Pull Out 2nd Fastener
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Lift Up Passenger Side Cowl
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Cabin Filter Exposed
Set the two fasteners and two screws aside in a safe place.

Gently lift up the passenger side of the cowl to reveal the cabin filter tray.

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Pull Filter Tray Forward
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Slide Out Filter Tray
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Filter Tray Removed
Pull the filter tray slightly forward to disengage it from the housing.

Slide the filter tray straight up and out of the housing.



 

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Pop Out Old Cabin Filter
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Vacuum Out Filter Housing
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Tray & Old Filter
Inspect both sides of the old filter.

If the old filter is relatively clean, just tap out the large debris and clean it with a vacuum before re-installing it.

If the old filter is dark grey or black and clogged with dirt, dust, leaves, twigs, insects and other debris, it should be replaced with a brand new element.

I recommend buying the Ford OEM Motorcraft FP53 cabin air filter since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.

If you'd rather have a re-usable filter, go with the K&N VF2020 which will need to be washed and re-oiled every 50,000 miles.

To replace the filter, pop the old one out of the tray.

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Clean Old Filter With Vacuum
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"Assemble This Direction"
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Re-Insert Filter Tray
Insert the new filter in to the tray with the "Assemble This Direction" or "Air Flow" indicator arrow facing down in to the tray.

The air flow indicator arrow should also point towards the rear of the vehicle when re-installed in front of the blower motor housing.

Carefully lower the air filter tray down in to the cowl and push it backwards in to the housing.

The side of the filter tray with the grey foam should be facing the rear of the vehicle and the rectangular handle should be at the top.

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Push Tray In To Housing
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Replace Plastic Cowl
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Insert Larger Outer Piece
Make sure that the filter tray is securely in place inside the housing.

Lower the plastic cowl down in to place.

Insert the larger outer pieces of the two fasteners in to place first.

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Pop In Black Plastic Screw
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Replace 2nd Fastener
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Cabin Filter Replaced
Push in the small black plastic screws in to the center of each cowl fastener to secure them in place.

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

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