DIY C230K sedan oil change W203
Here is my contribution to the forum. This is not a big deal or hard to do. But I thought I share it with everyone.
My 2003 C230 sedan was the last year of free maintenance from MB. This is the first time I have to pay someone or do it myself. After researching and reading this forum, I decided to do it myself.
Parts needed:
6 quarts of Mobil 1 0W40 $6.19 + tax each from Autozone
MB filter from dealer $17.50 + tax
27mm socket $6.99 + tax from Autozone
Mityvac oil extractor from Amazon.com $50.99 no tax
Tools I have
1/2" male to 3/8" female drive adapter
3/8" drive universal joint
4" extension
3/8" drive ratchet


Mityvac P/N: 07400

It comes with 3 different size tubes. I use the medium one.

Here is the dip stick hole to extract oil from.

Here is the oil filter. 27mm only comes in 1/2" drive.
I have a converter from 1/2" male to 3/8" female so I can use my 3/8" extension and 3/8" drive ratchet.
The 27mm socket I have is too tall. In order to take out the oil filter housing, I had to loosen it first.
Unscrew the housing by hand.
I am going to cut the 27mm socket shorter so I can use it to loosen all the way.

Dirty filter.

Just pull out the old oil filter then insert the new one. Don't forget to replace 3 O-Rings.


New oil filter in. Hand tighten first then use the 27mm socket to tighten a little more.
Don't over tighten. The oil filter housing is made of plastic.


This Mityvac is designed for 7.3 liter (about 7 quarts). My car is 5.8 quarts.
At first I was not sure when it's done extracting all the oil. But later I heard slashing sound then I gave it a few more pumps to make sure I got all the oil out.
I repeat this a few times.
I pour 5.5 quarts of Mobil 1. Waited about 5 minutes then use my dash to check oil level.
It shows level OK.
I started the engine. Shut off.
Waited 5 minutes.
Make sure no leak.
Check oil level again.
OK, done.
Pour dirty oil back to Mobil 1 jars then take them to Autozone for recycle.
Total time: 45 minutes (30 minutes next time)
Total cost: about $55 for oil and oil filter
Mityvac and 27mm socket can be used in the future.
Will I do it again? Sure, it's so easy.
--------------
2007.11.07
By the way, MB recommends every 1 year or 10,000 miles for service. I had 9,000 miles on it. The oil was dirty and black. I would change it every 5,000 miles in the future.
Last edited by Taiwanese; Nov 7, 2007 at 02:07 PM.
M271 FTW!
The satisfaction of having successfully completed the task is worth far more. Great job!

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Thank you.
I always do my own oil change when I was younger.
When I was doing my research, I had to gather information from different places. For example, easier if you use oil extractor, location of oil filter housing etc.
W203 covers so many years and different engines. I could not find one specific thread about this M271 1.8 liter supercharged engine. So the least I can do is to share it. Even if you don't do it, it's fun to see. I believe in a picture is worth a thousand words.
Side note:
At first I got this Shurflo drill pump Mfr # 3010-000 from Boatersworld.com

It arrived DOA. Via live chat, BoatersWorld told me no need to sent it back just toss it. I ordered C.E. Smith Oil Changer Mfr # Z70000. I only had to pay the difference and no shipping.

The tube on the C.E. Smith Oil Changer was too large to stick into C230's oil stick hole. I had to return it.
BoatersWorld has good service. I will use them in the future.
I later found this Mityvac from Amazon.com. It worked great.
C230 sedan
oil filter MB# A 271 180 00 09
Mobil 1 oil: 0W40 6 quarts
Mityvac oil extractor
If you don't have any tools, then you need to buy the following:
27mm socket (or you can buy this tool from MB, I think it's $26)
1/2" drive universal joint
1/2" drive ratchet
1/2" extension 4" long
If you have some tools in 3/8" drive, then you just need:
27mm socket (only in 1/2" drive)
1/2" male to 3/8" female
use your own:
3/8" universal joint
3/8" ratchet
3/8" extension 4" long
Dealer is doing the same way. If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.
By the way, MB recommends every 1 year or 10,000 miles for service. I had 9,000 miles on it. The oil was dirty and black. I would change it every 5,000 miles in the future.
Last edited by Taiwanese; Nov 7, 2007 at 02:07 PM.



Oil that is dirty and black is not necessarily worn out. It is only when there is not enough of the "additive package" left in the crankcase that the oil should be changed. The only way to know is to send your used oil for analysis. It only costs about $20.
It will be easier to remove the oil if you first drive the car until it is fully warmed up, then suck the oil out.
A can of engine cleaner from Lubro-Moly can be used to clean your crankcase if you are concerned about sludge. This produt also makes it easier to get all the oil out as it makes it thin and runny.
http://www.performanceproducts4benz....ly+Motor+Clean
Now that I changed my own oil, how do I reset my dash message "Service B in 1800 miles"?
BTW: I could only find a 1 1/16" socket at the parts place. It worked though. Here's the difference: 27mm=1.06299"; 1 1/16"=1.0625" Maybe it was snug, maybe it was just because it was plastic. Gotta have the extension though.
Your answer:
In my 2003 C-Class Sports Coupe Operator's Manual "USA Edition A 2003" I found the instructions in the index under Service: Service indicator (226) Clearing (226,227)
Resetting is actually what you want, pp227.
Here's the short version:
In the event...service not carried out by MB Center...
>Switch ignition on (don't crank it though, like checking your oil)
>Press the ^ or down on the steering wheel until FSS appears
>Press the reset knob for about 4 seconds
[displays a reset question](let go of the button)
>To confirm hold the reset button again for about 4 seconds
[displays new reset interval]
In my 2003 C-Class Sports Coupe Operator's Manual "USA Edition A 2003" I found the instructions in the index under Service: Service indicator (226) Clearing (226,227)
Resetting is actually what you want, pp227.
Here's the short version:
In the event...service not carried out by MB Center...
>Switch ignition on (don't crank it though, like checking your oil)
>Press the ^ or down on the steering wheel until FSS appears
>Press the reset knob for about 4 seconds
[displays a reset question](let go of the button)
>To confirm hold the reset button again for about 4 seconds
[displays new reset interval]
Here is what I did:
Turn key to position 1 (first click after insert the key).
I change the dash to display "Service B in xxxx miles".
Push reset and hold it.
While holding it, the display goes back to total mileage of the car screen.
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=8587
http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_fee.asp
07201 Fluid Evacuator Plus
At the push of a button, this versatile unit changes from vacuum to pressure for evacuating or dispensing fluids. This functionality makes it ideal for draining tanks or reservoirs then pumping the used fluid back out for easy disposal. Multiple units work great, simply evacuate used fluids with one unit, and then quickly refill with new fluid from a second. For superior mobility, the 07201 utilizes a manual pump, so compressed air or electricity is not required. Accessories are included for draining engine oil or transmission fluid directly through the dipstick tubes.
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?P...OD&ProdID=8587
It really does not matter what you use as soon as it can extract oil out of the engine.
Note:
The tube that comes with my oil extractor is a little short. As you can see from the picture, I had the oil extractor close to the fender and put it on a box.
The tube is 7mm OD. I will buy a 10 feet tube for next oil change so I don't need a box underneath it.
http://www.mityvac.com/pages/products_fee.asp
07201 Fluid Evacuator Plus
At the push of a button, this versatile unit changes from vacuum to pressure for evacuating or dispensing fluids. This functionality makes it ideal for draining tanks or reservoirs then pumping the used fluid back out for easy disposal. Multiple units work great, simply evacuate used fluids with one unit, and then quickly refill with new fluid from a second. For superior mobility, the 07201 utilizes a manual pump, so compressed air or electricity is not required. Accessories are included for draining engine oil or transmission fluid directly through the dipstick tubes.
So you really don't need this feature unless you do several cars in a row.
Either one will be OK. Just buy from a place that you feel comfortable.
turn your key to position 1
change the screen to show the current milage
press reset 3 times, (fast)
"beep"
turn your key to position 2
..............................................
oops sorry.. I just ran to the car and check again..
you can only reset the service with this method on w211.. not w203

mike
Last edited by mike82y; Dec 3, 2007 at 04:36 PM.






I think I really overtightened my oil filter when I changed my oil this weekend. =(


