Fram Extra Guard CA10242 Replacement Engine Air Filter for Select Ford, Lincoln, Mazda, and Mercury Models, Provides Up to 12 Months or 12,000 Miles Filter Protection

A straightforward upgrade I could actually feel

I’m all for simple, low-cost maintenance that makes a car run a little better. Swapping the engine air filter fits squarely in that category, so I tried the Fram Extra Guard CA10242 in a 2019 Ford Explorer with the 3.5L V6. The short version: this filter is a painless DIY job, it seals well, and it keeps the airbox impressively clean over time. It won’t turn your SUV into a rocket ship, but it will protect the engine and maintain smooth airflow for a reasonable price and interval.

Installation: five minutes, no drama

On the Explorer, the airbox is right up front and uses simple clips—no tools required. The CA10242 is a direct-fit panel filter; pop the cover, lift the old one out, wipe out any debris in the airbox, and slide the new filter in with the sealing lip facing up. The only thing to watch is seating the perimeter seal so it isn’t pinched. Once the cover is back on, you’re done.

Fitment mattered to me more than anything. Some aftermarket filters have slightly undersized gaskets that can leave a gap. This one seated flush all the way around, with even compression when I latched the cover. No wrestling, no folding pleats to force it to fit. It’s as easy as maintenance gets.

Build quality and materials

This is a traditional dry paper filter with a molded sealing gasket. The pleats are evenly spaced and held in place with consistent adhesive lines. The media itself is firm, not flimsy, which helps the pleats resist collapse under airflow. The seal is the standout: it’s soft enough to conform to minor airbox imperfections but not so spongy that it deforms over time. That seal quality is a big part of why the install is fuss-free and why dust stays out of the clean side of the intake.

Fram advertises “double the protection” versus standard filters. I can’t lab-test that claim, but after several thousand miles, the inside of the airbox and the throttle body side stayed notably cleaner than I expected for mixed highway and suburban driving. The filter media captured lots of fine dust while still looking structurally sound, and I didn’t notice a performance drop-off as it loaded with debris.

On-road impressions

Replacing an air filter won’t transform throttle response the way a tune might, but the engine did settle into a smoother idle immediately after the swap, and part-throttle drivability felt crisp. That’s exactly what I’m looking for with a fresh filter—restored airflow to baseline, not a change in character. Intake noise didn’t increase, and there were no warning lights or MAF sensor oddities.

Fuel economy can be hard to attribute to a single maintenance item, especially across seasons, but I saw no negative impact. If anything, the Explorer maintained its usual highway numbers, which is the goal: keep the engine breathing clean air without adding restriction.

Service life and cost of ownership

Fram rates the CA10242 for up to 12 months or 12,000 miles. That interval is realistic for most conditions and lines up with typical OEM guidance for mixed driving. In dusty climates, you’ll want to check it more often—every oil change is a good habit—and shorten the interval if the pleats are visibly loaded.

What I appreciate is how cost-effective this filter is to run annually. It’s inexpensive enough that replacing it on schedule feels like cheap insurance. There are longer-life and washable options out there, but they either require maintenance (cleaning and re-oiling) or cost significantly more for marginal gains in normal commuting. For a family SUV or fleet vehicle, this straightforward, disposable approach makes sense.

Compatibility and fitment notes

The CA10242 is designed for a wide range of Ford, Lincoln, and a few Mazda/Mercury applications across the late 2000s and 2010s—Edge, Explorer, Taurus, Flex, Police Interceptor variants, and more, depending on engine. That breadth is convenient, but it also means you should double-check compatibility for your exact year and engine size before ordering. The footprint and gasket profile are specific; using “close enough” part numbers can result in a poor seal.

A quick tip: match by year, model, and engine, and confirm against the airbox shape in your vehicle’s service manual or a reputable parts lookup. If a filter drops in with obvious slack, it’s the wrong one. You shouldn’t need to force, trim, or bend anything.

How it stacks up to alternatives

• Versus OEM: The CA10242 matches the OEM filter in fit and sealing, with comparable media density and pleat count. In practice, I didn’t notice any difference in idle quality or airflow noise versus a fresh factory filter, which is a compliment.

• Versus reusable performance filters: Washable, oiled filters can offer reusability, and in some cases, slightly less restriction at high airflow. They require careful cleaning and re-oiling; too much oil can foul MAF sensors, and too little oil reduces filtration. For an Explorer or police utility platform used for daily duty, the Fram’s convenience and predictable filtration win for me.

• Versus ultra-budget generics: The cheapest no-name panel filters often skimp on the perimeter seal and pleat support. That’s where dust bypass happens. The CA10242’s gasket and pleat structure are better than the bargain-bin options I’ve handled.

Maintenance tips for best results

• Clean the airbox: Before dropping in the new filter, vacuum out leaves, sand, and insects from the dirty side of the box. A clean environment maximizes filter life.

• Inspect the seal: Run a finger around the perimeter after seating. You’re feeling for even contact and no gaps or rolled gasket edges.

• Check at each oil change: Hold the filter up to a bright light; if very little light passes through and the pleats are heavily loaded, replace early. Don’t try to extend life by tapping it on the ground or blowing it out with compressed air—that can damage the media.

• Watch the service interval: If you tow, drive on unpaved roads, or operate in construction zones, assume a shorter interval than 12,000 miles.

Minor drawbacks

• It’s a one-year filter by design. If you want a multi-year solution, you’ll need a higher-end or reusable option.

• Packaging can occasionally arrive compressed in transit. If a corner of the gasket is deformed, let it sit out on a warm day to recover before installation; don’t install a misshapen seal.

• As with any broad-application part, ordering by guesswork can lead to fitment mistakes. Verify before you buy.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth knowing.

The bottom line

The Fram CA10242 does the simple things right: it fits, it seals, and it keeps fine dust out of the engine for a sensible price and interval. The installation is easy enough for a first-time DIYer, and the performance is indistinguishable from OEM in daily use—which is exactly what I want from a maintenance item like this.

Recommendation: I recommend the Fram Extra Guard CA10242 if your vehicle is on its application list and you want a no-fuss, cost-effective air filter you can replace annually. It’s an affordable way to preserve engine health and consistent airflow without overthinking it, and the quality of the seal and media inspire confidence in everyday driving.