Trick to getting the cabin air filter out?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
Trick to getting the cabin air filter out?
So I just got done giving myself an A1 service, and was going to change my CAF in the process. I'll be damned if I cannot get the plastic under the glovebox off.
I took out the 3 torx screws, pulled the carpet flap forward and removed the acoustic foam piece (giving myself a nasty scrape on the knuckle in the process - sharp edges behind it!). I can get the cover down and rocked forward, but it is hanging on the trim that is on the right edge of the footwell - and I can't seem to get it off, or get the trim piece removed.
So what am I missing here?
I took out the 3 torx screws, pulled the carpet flap forward and removed the acoustic foam piece (giving myself a nasty scrape on the knuckle in the process - sharp edges behind it!). I can get the cover down and rocked forward, but it is hanging on the trim that is on the right edge of the footwell - and I can't seem to get it off, or get the trim piece removed.
So what am I missing here?
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 299
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From: England
W205 C200 AMG Line Premium
It certainly is not easy, the main plastic panel that you are trying to remove has a protusion about 3 inches long sticking out from the centre finishing with a hook at the end. This catches in a square hole above it, it's fiddly but you have to reach up behind and wriggle it out. When you get to the filter be ready to catch the two metal spring clips because they fly off when they are unclipped.
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Joined: Jan 2010
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From: North Carolina - Research Triangle
2025 C300W4 AMG, 2023 GLC300 / previous 17 GLC300, 15 BMW 228i, 13 C300, 12 C350 Coupe
Then you get the pleasure of putting the clips back on. I did this once, only got one clip back on. Very fiddly, will never do this again. Will have an independent shop do it. They charge much less than the dealer. I was quoted $50 in Maryland and the filter is about $25 on Amazon, so another $25 is a no brainer.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 42
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From: Deltona, FL
2010 C300
It is a ***** to get the new filter back in that's for sure. Had to almost stand on my head to get both hands up to put enough pressure on the slide so it would engage over the 4 tabs. But it's done now.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 70
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From: Tulsa, OK
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport W204
Sorry to revive this thread, but is it super important to get the center hook back into the square hole mentioned above? I just got finished with it and I kinda just screwed the plastic piece back on. I honestly couldn't see the hole it was supposed to go into, and I too had to lay upside down in the seat to get the filter to go in right.
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'13 GLK350 4matic,'10 C207,'15 GLA250,'07 Honda Odyssey, '18 GLE 43, '24 EQS 580
If you don't lock it in place the car will fall apart, joke. No it is fine. The only thing that might happen is the back portion of the cover will hang down and might stress the plastic on the screws other than that nothing else.
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Joined: Nov 2015
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2013 C250 Sport
Seems with most cars these days it's easier to change the engine air filter than it is the cabin filter.
I've done a bit of work in other cars on the electronics, modules, wiring, filters, etc. and I find it easiest sometimes to sit upside down in the seat.
I've done a bit of work in other cars on the electronics, modules, wiring, filters, etc. and I find it easiest sometimes to sit upside down in the seat.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa, OK
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport W204
Yeah I noticed the back of the cover moves pretty easily when I put some pressure on it with my hand. I might go back and hook it correctly tomorrow. Thanks for the reply!
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 70
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From: Tulsa, OK
2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport W204
No kidding. Stuff like this makes me miss my Honda. I would just open the glove box and slide the air filter out, replace it, and close the glove box back up. 20 second job.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Germantown, MD/Rehoboth Beach, DE
2024 GLS450
I ended up doing just this - reclining the seat all of the way and laying on it backwards.
I'm 6'2 and 240 with a big head and broad shoulders. It was a tight fit, and I wanted to burn the car by the time I was done
I'm 6'2 and 240 with a big head and broad shoulders. It was a tight fit, and I wanted to burn the car by the time I was done
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Wont say it is the most comfortable position but it makes the job pretty quick and much easier.
