If you or your family suffer from allergies, or if you've noticed a musty smell or weak airflow coming from your Ford Explorer's vents, your cabin air filter is likely the culprit. This filter acts as your vehicle's lungs, trapping pollen, dust, bacteria, and debris before it enters the passenger compartment.
Replacing it is one of the easiest, fastest, and most impactful DIY repairs you can do. We'll walk you through the simple process on a 2017 Ford Explorer (a procedure that applies to many similar model years).
Why Cabin Air Filter Replacement is Critical
The visual evidence says it all: when we pulled the old filter, it was packed with hair, dirt, and dust. This is what you and your family are breathing every time you turn on the fan.
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Health: A clean filter drastically reduces allergens and bacteria inside the cabin.
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Airflow: A clogged filter restricts air movement, causing your AC and heat to work harder and feel weaker.
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Smell: It prevents that stale, musty smell that often develops from trapped moisture and debris.
Step-by-Step Cabin Air Filter Replacement
The cabin air filter on the Ford Explorer is conveniently located behind the glove box. No specialized tools are needed!
1. Access the Glove Box
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Empty the Glove Box: Remove all contents from your glove box.
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Disconnect the Dampener Cord: Look to the right side of the glove box. You'll see a small dampener cord attached to a stud. Gently pull or unhook this cord to allow the glove box to drop fully.
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Drop the Glove Box: Take the inside of the glove box and push it down. This will release the internal tabs and allow the glove box to swing down out of your way.
2. Remove and Replace the Filter
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Locate the Housing: With the glove box down, you will see the filter housing unit. It has two simple snap clips (or tabs) on the bottom.
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Open the Cover: Move the two snaps to release the cover. Note that the cover usually has a piece of foam insulation attached.
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Remove the Old Filter: Slide the old, dirty filter straight out. Observe the difference between the filthy intake side and the (slightly cleaner) filtered side.
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Install the New Filter: Before sliding the new filter in, check the airflow arrow on the side of the filter. On the Ford Explorer, the airflow should be facing down.
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Snap Shut: Reinsert the housing cover until you hear a solid click, confirming it is securely sealed.
3. Reassembly
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Reattach the Glove Box: Push the glove box back into position, ensuring the internal tabs seat correctly.
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Re-connect the Cord: Reattach the dampener cord to the stud on the right side.
Essential Maintenance Cross-Reference
This simple filter change is part of a larger maintenance routine. If you are doing basic service, consider checking other key areas that impact your vehicle's performance and air quality:
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Engine Air Filter: Complement your cabin air filter change with engine maintenance. See our guide on how to service your K&N Engine Air Filter.
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Diagnostic Tools: After any repair or maintenance, especially on modern vehicles, having an affordable diagnostic tool on hand is essential for clearing old codes or checking for new ones.
We highly recommend having an affordable diagnostic tool on hand for all your repair and maintenance needs.
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Watch the full video demonstration: How to Replace 2017 Ford Explorer Cabin Air Filter (Quick DIY Guide)