fuel filter need replacing?

'97 escort wagon 113,860 miles, 5 speed manual. for the past week, when I am accelerating my car feels like it is sputtering or coughing(is the best way I can describe it). It happens going up hills, or basically anytime I give it gas. Sometimes I'm worried it's going to stall. could it be the fuel filter? we have never replaced it because the manual says there's no need for routine replacement? My thought is it's a cheap replace and doesn't take long so why not? better to do inexpensive maint. than costly repairs right? my hubby says it looks like a pain in the a*@.

The filter could cause the problem ... and it is a knuckle-buster of a job because it's on the firewall close to the intake manifold. There's almost no way to predict when a fuel filter needs to changed because so much depends on what, if any, "stuff" is included in the gasoline you buy.

You could also have spark cables failing, an ignition pack failing, or just need to change plugs ... any/all could give the same symptoms ... without giving a code.

we changed plugs back in December, but I will mention the cables and ignition pack to hubby. I bought a fuel filter today and he's going to go ahead and change that. thanks!