Cabin Air Filter (again) Alternative Ford parts

After the last thread on the subject , I took mine out to give it a quick dusting and ended up tearing it. Didn't take long to discover the filter for our Gen IVs is not available aftermarket and all the parts stores, according to their listings, think the Gen III filter is correct which it is not. So I did a little detective work and came up with an alternative which, with a few scissor snips, fits perfect.


Yes, it's a Ford part from a 2012 Taurus and was only 6 bucks from Autozone. Rockauto.com has these for just over three bucks if you want to save even more.


The width is as perfect as it can get



The length is only a pleat or two too long



The height is about 3/8" shorter but, I have an idea for using that to our advantage



A few snips of the scissors and it is the correct length and fits the cage perfectly. I removed the end stiffener and used a hot glue gun to reattach it after the cut but it's not really necessary.



Now to fill in the rest of the space. An HVAC (cut to size) filter picked up at Home Depot for 10 bucks. This filter will make 6 disposable pre-filters and extend the life of the cabin filter and has a carbon layer also.



Cut to size, the pre-filter fills in the space from the shorter cabin filter




Done! After installed, I can't tell any appreciable difference in airflow but I will test it with my anemometer in a day or so and report the results.

 

Hopefully for the last time.

 

It's almost the exact size but the pleats run in the opposite direction so the filter won't drop over the divider in the cage.

 

Brand? Part number? Which vehicle? Your signature says you own an 11 and 13.

 

Both of yours yes, but we're in the Gen IV forum talking about a Gen IV and the only available "correct" filter for the Gen IV is OEM which is overpriced.

 

Spent the afternoon comparing the difference in flow between the two filters and OEM is definitely the least restrictive. I averaged the flow between vents and also fan speeds. Below is the percentage of flow for each filter compared to 100% flow of no filter installed.

OEM - 93%
STP - 86%
STP w/prefilter - 73%

 

That"s the one for the gen 3, about the right size but the pleats are running in the wrong direction to fit the gen 4

I'm going to order different brands from Rockauto to compare the flow restriction with OEM. Hard to say when an aftermarket filter will become available but I may keep using the OEM until one does.