My wife has a 2010 Escape Hybrid and we need to do the 15K service. I don't really want to spend $60 for the dealer to change a $10 filter. Any one know where this filter is located? There is a vent on the back side panel and I'm sure its in there but want to make sure before I start pulling panels off.

Thanks!

 

It is behind one of the side panels, and is not worth paying to have someone do unless you like giving away money. There is an access panel that pops out. At least that is what I read, as I do not own one.
tom

 

It is located on the driver side in the rear cargo area. Take the little access cover off (about 3"x5"), remove the retaining plate and pull the filter out. Takes about two minutes the first time you do it. Even less the next time.

I buy my filters and other maintenance parts online and save a ton over the local dealership.

 

The only thing on the drivers side cargo is a small vent, but it looks like its part of the entire panel and wont come out. There is an access panel on the passenger side but has a jack and fuel cut off, no filter.

 

I should have put in my reply that that is how the 05 to 07 models are. I haven't kept up with the changes in the newer models.

 

Maybe they 'added value' by not making a 2nd set of part numbers for hybrids and non. The whole panel will likely come off with a little gentle prodding. Snap type connectors hold all the door panels in place with only one or two screws. The hatch has 3 screws on the bottom, but all the rest are push-in snaps.
tom

 

Krawler62, are you sure that a 2010 hybrid actually has an air filter for battery cooling?

I looked in the Traction Battery, interior trim, and also climate control sections of the 2010 two-book manual set, which includes the hybrid. No mention of an air filter for the battery. In the Traction Battery section it shows a duct from the left side panel over to the battery case for cooling, and how to remove it and the battery. Not a word about a filter.

I think (and I may be wrong about this), that the earlier Escape Hybrids had an intake vent for battery cooling below the left rearmost side window, so having an air filter there for dirty outside air would make sense. But it seems the newer hybrids use cabin air for traction battery cooling.

Could the "Replace Battery Filter" be leftover from an earlier year? Do you have something that came from Ford (not dealer-generated) with the car that says it's there and needs changing?

EDIT: 2010 - I looked up the 2010 Hybrid Owners Manual on motorcraft.com. No mention of a filter, nor a "15,000 mile" maintenance. Is that your dealer's game?

2007 - I then looked up a 2007 Hybrid Owners Manual on motorcraft.com. Found the filter, where it is and how to change it on page 298. And the filter part number on page 299. Couldn't copy it to here, as it's a pdf. Also saw in the 2007 to check the Battery A/C Filter at 10,000 miles, replace if necessary, and at 20,000 miles, to replace it. That is on page 312

So it sure looks like 2010 has a different cooling method. If your dealer is telling you you need to have a battery filter changed at 15,000 miles on a 2010 Hybrid... well, I'll leave that to you

 

yes thats how they want to play, and its what i figured that there is no filter. The dealer gave me a list of maintenance items at 15k to do. I haven't gone back in but when I do I will certainly question them.

Thank you for checking into this!

 

For one starting with the '09MY, the AC compressor is electric instead of ICE powered. I don't remember the exact details but they also changed the HV battery packs cooling method(s). IIRC, they had a seperate duct work prior to '09 for the battery pack and passenger compartment but now they don't.

 

I tried to give my dealer the benefit of the doubt, but they just can't help themselves. Just took my 2010 Hybrid Fusion for its 20k visit and my boy at the dealer asked if I wanted to change the "Hybrid Battery Filter". I was rushed as usual, so I just nodded. Cute little notation on pg. 2 of my invoice states that my vehicle is not equipped with said filter. On the following line it says they installed oil additive for an additional $18 since I had OK'd the extra fee for a nonexistent filter. It's not enough for them that I bring it in every 5k instead of 10k which is the recommended interval per the warranty. I used to know a honest Ford service writer. Anybody know of one in the Dallas area? Do not say Town East or Prestige as these are just your normal dealers, which basically do what they can to get those numbers up. Its a pressure thing, but still..........

 

Tell 'em you did NOT ok an additive, and as a matter of fact, FoMoCo does not recommend additives. If they disagree, ask to see the container, and the 'approved by FoMoCo'...
Unless it is a Motorcraft product.

In most states, that is work performed that was not authorized and thus is not billable.

Ask for the $18 back. What do you have to lose?
tom

 

Hey Tom, you are right about the unauthorized work AND the using of additives. The way I see it, what the factory says is gospel. That service writer dam sure didn't have anything to do with designing or building the car. I know more about this car than he does. But if you second guess him and whine about the additive and $18, then they think you're **** (which I am, through genetics). I'd rather bitch to a guy in Detroit who might give a sh--. They short me half a quart on every oil change anyway. I'm serial. Guess he should use more "additive".

 

I have a 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. The inside driver's side rear panel in my vehicle has a 5" X 6" vent that is labeled "Do Not Block". This vent is an integral part of the panel. It appears to be an intake vent, and there is no way to "pop" it off the panel, so I'm guessing that Ford decided to ventilate the high voltage battery with cabin air, which presumably has already been filtered by the cabin air filter.

 

Here is a video on changing it.. there does seem to be confusion on which way the filter goes... up or down.. see your manual..

 

Just went through the same shenanigans with a 2010 Escape Hybrid Limited.
2010-2012 hybrid models do not have a battery filter. Looking up the parts diagrams on Ford sites shows no filter and the rear panel is different from the 08-09 FEH.
Use your VIN and note the build date on the door sticker. If your truck is built after September '09 it is going to be filterless.

Did go through the trouble of removing the cargo mat and left side inner panel that says 'do not block'. There was some dust and crud inside the vent that needed attention. More interesting was that there is a sensor in the ducting to the battery pack. It resembles the sensor in the ducting for the automatic climate control, cleaned that with appropriate cleaner. Noted a slight uptick on the info center, up ~.4 MPG. Nothing to sneeze at on an AWD unit.