Got this from Motor Age:

"Long Life Filtration System (LLFS) air filters will last 150k miles, designed to eliminate filter maintenance. Developed by Ford’s Visteon parts division, the filter media is 97% porous foam that contains one-quarter consumer-recycled plastics. It’s also effective at trapping dust, salt and moisture, making these corrosive contaminants less likely to cause engine damage. And since it doesn’t need regular service, it can be build right into a fender or body panel, freeing up space in the crowded engine compartment. Look for Ford and Visteon to put them into production vehicles starting with the 2003 model"

 

Sounds pretty stupid to me. Filters are designed to trap metallic particles - if you don't change out the filter, then how good can it really be over time?

 

Im wondering the same thing as Xorg. Over time if its a good filter I would expect it to get clogged. And I would expect a better filter to get clogged faster. So now being built into body panels if it did ever need to be replaced I would have to change a fender??? Yeah right.