Ford F150 Engine Filter: Maintenance and Upgrades

Your air filter is the first line of defense against debris that could gum up important engine components and severely restrict performance. Your stock air filter will be housed in a box connecting to your air intake system. Most F150 models allow you to open the air filter compartment by hand, although some may require you to loosen some clamps or screws.

Generally, you want to clean your air filter every 5,000 miles, though we recommend cleaning your air filter every time you do a major tune up or get an oil change. Keeping your air filter clean will ensure your engine runs smoothly. I know when my engine seems like it’s operating a little funny, the first thing I do is check my oil and my air filter.

Your stock air filter will be composed of paper or cotton-like gauze substance. You can see when your air filter has become dirty or clogged by the amount of dirt trapped in its sidings. To clean a dry air filter simply take it out of your car and vacuum off any dirt or particulates trapped in the air filter. Wipe it with a dry cloth and place it back in its housing compartment. 

A stock, dry air filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles; replacing them even sooner will save you money on gas mileage. Dry air filters are cheap and replacing them will result in a noticeable performance boost.

Whether you're upgrading to a cold air intake system or simply swapping out a dry air filter for an oiled air filter, a performance aftermarket air filter will provide longer lasting filter life and cleaner airflow to your engine. 

The benefits of upgrading your air filter include:

• Improved gas mileage
• Greater engine power
• Reduced emissions
• Increased engine life 

Our performance based air filter upgrades can also boost your F150’s torque and horsepower. Whether you're choosing a finer mesh cotton or a long-lasting oiled air filter, an air filter upgrade remains one of the cheapest upgrades that could significantly improve the life of your engine. 

Oiled air filters are featured in many cold air intake upgrades. Dry air filters are more restrictive, allowing for less airflow in total to your engine. On the other hand, oiled air filters are made of high-flow cotton that lasts a lifetime, if cleaned regularly. Oiled air filters have many advantages over conventional dry air filters, including less restrictive air flow, better gas mileage, and greater engine combustion. 

• Remove your air filter and soak it in solution
• Rinse out the solution and wash contaminants off the filter
• Let the air filter dry and check for any obstructions
• Oil the air filter and place it back in the air intake system

Fuel filters are responsible for removing debris and particulates from your fuel lines. A gummed-up fuel line could cause startup issues and a noticeable loss of power when accelerating. Maintaining your fuel filter will save you money on gas in the long run and extend the life of your fuel injection system.

Signs you should replace your fuel filter include:

• Poor startup, including frequent stalling
• Loss of gas mileage
• Loss of power when accelerating
• A suspected bad batch of gas

Forgoing replacing your F150 fuel filter could lose you money in gas and cost you in potential repairs to your fuel injection system. Worst of all, a bad or ineffective fuel filter system could eventually result in a complete fuel system breakdown if it gets too mucked up. 

Your fuel filter is located beneath the driver’s side door and attached to fuel line between the fuel tank and fuel pump. We recommend seeking professional assistance when replacing your F150’s fuel filter so you don’t leak any fuel or damage your fuel lines.

Oil filters are designed to protect your engine and oil lines from contaminants to increase the life of your engine. Your oil filter is located adjacent to the oil fill cap. While an oil filter is an inexpensive part, maintaining your oil filter is crucial. It’s recommended you change your oil filter every time you get an oil change, or every 3,000 miles. You can also choose from washable and reusable oil filters that will provide long-lasting performance for your engine. Be sure to lubricate the oil filter’s o-ring gasket before reinserting it into the oil plug. 

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Cabin air filters are designed to filter out dust, allergens, and pollen, providing cleaner air for your cabin. A clogged cabin air filter could also lead to poor A/C performance.

Often, the cabin air filter goes unnoticed because it has no connection to crucial engine components. You should check your cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. The cabin air filter is located behind the glove box in the passenger air compartment.

Consult your owner’s manual before checking your cabin air filter, but changing a cabin air filter only requires lifting the limiting stop arm and releasing the glovebox to gain access. Older F150 models will not have a cabin air filter, so it’s important to consult your owner’s manual to find out.

Change it when it becomes noticeably clogged with dust and dirt. A cleaner cabin air filter will provide cleaner air for you and your passengers, which will be helpful on cold winter nights when the windows are turned up.

Methanol injection systems raise the power of your EcoBoost engine and regulate temperature inside your engine to increase its longevity. Methanol/water injection systems are commonly found in forced induction systems and are commonly found in many turboboost upgrades. Choose quality filters that will ensure the continued performance of your forced induction system and reduce turbo lag.