F-150 - Cabin Air Filter Replacement 🚚

Great choice—this is a quick, beginner-friendly job on your Lariat. Plan on 10–15 minutes.

What you’ll need 🧰

• 🛠️ Cabin air filter (Ford spec: HC3Z-19N619-A; common aftermarket: CF12150 or CUK12150 for carbon media)
• 🛠️ 7mm socket with ratchet (glove box screws)
• 🛠️ Trim tool (a plastic pry tool that pops clips without scratching)
• 🧼 Shop towel to catch dust/debris

Tip: Carbon filters reduce odors; standard paper flows a bit more air.

Safety first ⚠️

• 🧯 Park, set the parking brake, and turn ignition off.
• 🧤 Empty the glove box so nothing falls out.

Location 📍

The cabin filter is behind the glove box on your F-150 (2015–2020 body). No under-hood access needed.

Step-by-step ✅

• 📦 Open and lower the glove box
  • Open the glove box. On the right side, unclip the small damper cord (a string that slows the glove box drop) by sliding it off the pin.
  • Squeeze the sides of the glove box inward to clear the two side stops, and let the box swing down.
• 🔧 Remove the lower glove box divider panel
  • Look at the back panel you’ve exposed. Remove the two 7mm screws at the bottom edge.
  • Use a trim tool to gently pop the panel loose. Set it aside.
• 🗂️ Open the cabin filter door
  • You’ll see a narrow rectangular cover with side tabs. Press the left tab inward and swing the cover out. Some trucks have two squeeze tabs—press both.
• 🌬️ Remove the old filter
  • Pull the filter straight out. Note the airflow arrow printed on the filter (points down on your F-150).
  • Wipe out leaves/dust with a towel—don’t push debris into the blower.
• 🧩 Install the new filter
  • Slide the new filter in with the airflow arrow facing down. It’s a snug fit—keep it square as it goes in.
  • Reinstall the filter door until it clicks.
• 🪛 Reassemble the glove box
  • Reinstall the divider panel and the two 7mm screws (snug, hand-tight—no torque spec needed here).
  • Squeeze the glove box sides to seat the stops, then reattach the damper cord on the right pin.
• ✅ Final check
  • Start the truck. Run the blower through all speeds and modes. Listen for rubs—if you hear any, the filter may be mis-seated; reopen and reseat.

Maintenance notes 📝

• 🗓️ Replace every 15,000–20,000 miles, or 12 months in dusty/pollen-heavy areas.
• 🧠 If airflow is weak or you get a musty smell, replace sooner.

Want the right parts fast? 🛒

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! You’ll see the correct cabin filter options and tools below—add what you need to your cart from the Parts section.