This is a photo of my used (just over 16,000 miles of use) and the new replacement filter.


One can inspect, remove and re-install this filter without tools and it only takes a minute. I obtained this filter from RockAuto.com last year when I made a box load of filter purchases. The Motorcraft version is pricey and one can make a good case that the K + N filter in this location would be the least expensive way to go.

 

I'm right at 34,000 miles on my '08 and I'm on the second Wix 24477 following the stock filter. All of them have looked about as dirty as the one pictured above. Maybe it's the bright white of the clean filter but after about 10,000 miles they look so dirty I just don't feel comfortable anymore and swap them out. I don't think I would feel comfortable going 20,000 miles on a filter in my area.