OK Guys, Does the 2004 Ford Escape come with a filter or not before I waste time trying to look for it? Been driving it for nearly 6 years and a mechanic just told me I should replace it at a cost of $35 plus $56 labor to change it. I'm a lady, but I'm no fool. That's why I'm asking. Please help me. Also, does a 2004 have a transmission filter? Some say yes and others no. I need to go take auto mechanics.

 

Your 04 should be the same as my 03. If you look at the base of the windshield w/hood up, you'll see a 2 peice plastic cover that runs down to the fire wall. across the top is a row of fastners with lil' round caps. Across the bottom are lil' plastic screws in expandable rivets that go through the cover & hold it to the firewall lip.

The filter is under the passenger side cover.

The top fastners are phillips headed metal screws with plastic "caps" to protect the top of the screw.

Now here's the thing, I can't remember if the top row can be left in place & the cover bent back to gain access to the cabin filter.

Any way if you feel up to it, tackle it & pull the filter out & take to whatever autoparts place & see if the one they bring to the counter matches. And while there, check out & see if they have a Haynes/Chiltons manual. It'll help only 50% of the time, but its better than nothing & doesn't cost a lot.

As far as the tranny filter, yes its there, but it can't be changed with the trans in the vehicle, it has to be lowered/removed to get the pan off. However, there is a well repected FTE member who is a former Ford Tranny Engineer who insists that tranny filters don't need to be changed in the course of normal service.

 

Thank you so much for the information. I wll give that a try. Also, i guess i know which mechanic to take my car to now, the one who told me my filter did not have to changed when i changed my transmission fluid. Thanks so much guys. I am a lucky lady.