Towards the battery on the driver's side there's a large plastic box that has 2 metal latches like on an old fashioned suitcase. Open those up and you can see you've split the seam to the air filter housing. Next, towards the bottom where you can't see there are a couple black plastic latches molded into the plastic housing that hold the two halves of the air box together. Pry those up and pull the two halves apart. This should give you just enough room to slide the air filter up and out. Be sure to put the new one in the same direction (metal screen pointed outboard toward driver's front wheel). If you need more wiggle room you can loosen the hose clamp in between the air box and the engine.
I was looking at the 2006 Ford Escape Owner Guide and it doesn't show anything about it having a cabin air filter from the factory
The part of the air filter where the filter spreads apart is the intake side it goes towards the air hose leading to the carburater
when it is dirty
Does not have a filter for you to change.
It is right next to the air filter
When you change the oil and oil filter.
I went to replace cabin filter in a 2003 ford escape (bought escape new) there was no filter in the place filter was suppose to be. Actually damage the seal on windshield because of dry rot when getting to the place filter was suppose to be. I will not attempt this again because of the poor design to replace filter.
does not have a cabin filter
The MAF sensor is just behind the air filter on your air intake
In order to change the cabin air filter, you just take out the old filter that is under your dash and put in the new one. The filter helps to filter outside air.
Open up the air box on the air intake. (The big black box.) Remove old filter, insert new. There are 2 clips that hold it in place. It is much eaisier if you remove the hose connected , it gives you more room.
When it gets dirty.