On the 13th-gen F-150 this is one of the easiest jobs on the truck and it is identical across 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost, 5.0L V8 and 3.3L V6 - the HVAC box does not change with the engine. Everything happens in the passenger footwell: drop the glove box liner, pop off a plastic cover on the HVAC case, and slide the filter out sideways. Plan on 20 minutes the first time and 10 minutes after that.
The two things people get wrong: installing the filter backwards (follow the airflow arrow exactly as the old one sat) and forcing the long filter in straight instead of curling it slightly, which bends the frame and leaves a gap that lets unfiltered air past. Also be gentle with the glove box screws - they go into plastic and strip easily.
| Item | Type | |
|---|---|---|
| Work light or headlamp LED The filter door is deep in the footwell shadow behind the glove box. | Recommended | shop |
| Phillips screwdriver #2, magnetic tip Removes the glove box liner screws on trims that use Phillips-head fasteners. | Required | shop |
| Socket wrench and socket 7 mm 6-point, 1/4 in drive with short extension Most glove box and lower dash panel screws are 7 mm hex-head. | Required | shop |
| Plastic trim removal tool Nylon pry set Releases the glove box damper arm and pops the filter access cover without scratching or cracking the dash plastic. | Required | shop |
| Needle-nose pliers 6 in Helps unclip the glove box damper cable or strap in tight space. | Recommended | shop |
| Shop vacuum With crevice nozzle Cleans leaves and debris out of the empty filter cavity before installing the new filter. | Recommended | shop |
| Cabin air filter Motorcraft FP-70 (or equivalent, e.g. Fram CF11966 / Wix 24513) The replacement filter; carbon-activated versions fit the same slot. | Parts | shop |
| HVAC evaporator cleaner Aerosol, foaming Optional; kills musty odor in the evaporator case while the filter is out. | Consumables | shop |
| Nitrile gloves The old filter is usually full of dust, pollen and mouse debris. | Safety | shop |
| Dust mask N95 Avoid breathing the dust that falls off the old filter. | Safety | shop |
No tool differences between the 3.3L V6, 5.0L V8, 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost - the HVAC housing and filter are the same. The only variation is trim level: some glove box liners use 7 mm hex-head screws, others use #2 Phillips, and higher trims may have a damper cable instead of a simple check strap.
| Glove box liner screws | Snug by hand, about 15-20 in-lb; do not overtighten plastic threads |
| Filter access cover | Snap-fit, no torque |
The glove-box screws on this generation are commonly 7 mm hex-head (some trims use Phillips), and Motorcraft FP-70 is the standard filter for 2015-2020 F-150; verify your specific trim's fastener type by eye and confirm filter part number against your VIN at the parts counter.
It is in the HVAC housing behind the passenger-side glove box. You have to drop or remove the glove box liner to reach the rectangular plastic access cover on the evaporator case.
Nearly all do, but some base and fleet trucks left the factory with the slot empty even though the housing and access door are there. If yours is empty, a Motorcraft FP-70 drops right in - no cutting required, unlike the 2009-2014 trucks.
Motorcraft FP-70 is the OE filter for 2015-2020 F-150. Common equivalents are Fram CF11966, Wix 24513 and K&N VF2049; carbon-activated versions fit the same slot.
The airflow arrow points in the direction air travels through the housing, normally downward as you look at the installed filter. Always note the orientation of the old filter before you pull it out and match it.