Why are Motorcraft fuel filters recommended? Are the other brands POS? My custom tuner came with recommendations to change the fuel filter every 15,000 miles and only use Motorcraft. I’ve searched the forums and haven’t been able to find a decisive answer one-way or the other why only Motorcraft.

 

Simply because that is the easiest way to make sure you are getting a *quality* fuel filter, not because Motorcraft is the ONLY fuel filter that is acceptable.

We send that advice to *everyone* (along with a lot of other maintenance info to improve their ownership experience) we do a custom tune for - you wouldn't believe what some people will stick on their trucks, and then want to blame on the tuning!

 

I was just curious if there was a viable alternative to the Motorcraft fuel filter that was also a quality product. Motorcraft fuel filters are not available at part stores only dealerships and they mark them up 300% from what I have found locally but I did find an online store where I can get the FG-986B for $8.66; ordered up this morning. Probably be about a week before I receive them in the mail and in the mean time, I plan to just sit tight and wait because I just hit 15,000 miles today.

 

I believe Mike on the filter advice. I just had the 30k service on my truck and had the filter changed at the dealership. I have changed it in the past and started to tell them not to so I could change it myself and save money. I opted to let the dealership do all the checks and service that they do for the 30k and spend the money. When I got the truck back and checked the mpg on the first tank it was 15.7 and I normally get about 14.5. I had a filter on my truck that I got a Pep Boys, think it was a Purolater. The service consisted of an oil change,tire rotation, tranny fluid and filter change, fuel filter change and a lot of checks. Unless it was something else that gave me better mpg, I think it was the fuel filter. Go with a good one and not a cheapy.

 

Your local O'reilly's auto parts store sells motorcraft parts and filters

 

I found Motorcraft fuel filters (FG986B) at www.tabbysparts.com for $8.66 a pop and they ship FedEx for free. Every 15,000 miles definitely isn’t to soon to change the filter. I changed mine at 15,000 and cut the used one apart to take a look and it was filthy.