Just replaced the three air filters I bought from Amazon.com:
FP51 is the rear AC/cabin filter (hybrid only)
FA1772 is the engine air filter
FP66 is the regular cabin air filter
Total cost for all three from Amazon was $51, and less than an hour to install. In fact, the two most important (rear AC and engine air filter) didn't even require hand tools, and both were done in under 5 minutes! Seriously, do not EVER pay the dealer or anyone else to do this work for you, it is even simpler than driving the car!
The rear AC filter (hybrid only) should be checked every 10k miles and replaced every 20k. It's fairly small and slides in on the left side of the rear cargo space. Just pop off the cover panel, squeeze the two tabs holding it in, and remove the old filter.
The engine air filter is also easy, it's in the air box on the right half of the engine compartment. The two metal clasps holding the lid on are on the left side of the air box. You don't have to remove any of the other cables, ducting or wires.
The filter that was not easy to replace is the regular cabin air filter. Apparently it is optional, as my Escape did not have one, and it does not look like much thought was given to changing it. In fact the whole thing just seems like a big afterthought from the guys at Ford. Here's some instructions I found online which helped, if you want to dig into this project:
Open hood and remove the seven "phillips screws" and screwholders that attach the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield. Unscrew while pushing up from bottom of screw. Pry up the left side of the cowl plate, exposing a cover on held by two tabs in front. Lift cover and see if there is air filter present. Filter is odd shaped so only goes in one way. Press in to fit snugly. Put cover back down and secure tabs. Reinstall seven screw holders and screws.
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