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Here's a basic list of what's required to do an oil change in an E53 Hybrid. I will add some photos to this thread later today. Apologies in advance to anyone insulted by the inclusion of obvious details. W214 E53 Hybrid DIY oil change (NOT 100% applicable to E350 or E450)
Required parts and tools:
a) 8 quarts of 0W-40 oil meeting 229.51 and/or 229.52 specification (Cost: $100)
b) Engine oil filter: 254-184-06-00 (Cost: $16)
c) Oil drain plug: 002-990-20-17 (Cost: $13)
d) 45 Torx bit to remove cross brace over engine
e) 13mm and 17mm sockets to remove center panel under engine
f) 1-1/16” or 27mm socket to remove oil filter
g) Oil drain pan
h) Ramps with 8” to 10” high platform and an incline of 15 degrees or less
i) Drain plug adapter (available on Amazon)
j) Funnel to facilitate transferring oil from drain pan to empty plastic oil containers
k) Creeper or mat to work under engine compartment
l) Torque wrench to install filter cap.
Oil change step-by-step process:
0) Run an errand in the car in non-EL mode to warm up the engine to operating temperature.
1) Check oil level in Service view of cockpit screen.
2) Drive the car up onto ramps.
3) Remove four M10x1.5 bolts (17mm hex head) at front edge of panel under engine.
4) Remove four M8x1.25 bolts (13mm hex head) near rear edge of panel.
5) Support front edge of panel and remove M10x1.5 bolt near rear center of panel, then slide panel slightly rearward to remove it.
6) Open hood.
7) Remove AMG cross brace above engine.
8) Disconnect air duct from air inlet near front of engine on right side of car.
9) Remove engine cover held in place with five ball sockets. No tools required.
10) Remove air intake duct secured with two push pins at front edge and integral plastic latches at rear edge of duct.
11) Loosen oil drain plug until oil starts to drain into oil pan. It’s not necessary to completely remove the plug at this time.
12) Remove oil filter cover with 27mm socket.
13) Pull oil filter away from filter cap and discard.
14) Replace O-ring on filter cap with the new O-ring supplied with filter.
15) Insert new filter aligning protruding post with hole in bottom of filter housing.
16) Install filter cap with a small torque wrench to 25 Nm.
17) Remove drain plug and install new drain plug with adapter until it clicks into place.
18) Optionally, measure volume of oil drained. Specified capacity is 7.3 liters (7 quarts and 23 ounces).
19) Refill engine with about 7.5 quarts.
20) Install air intake duct.
21) Snap engine cover into place.
22) Connect air duct on right side of engine compartment.
23) Install AMG cross brace.
24) Gently drive down ramps.
25) Check engine oil level in Workshop screen.
26) Top up oil if necessary and check level in Service view of cockpit screen.
27) Reset the service meter in the Workshop menu.
Oil drain plug is near the rear edge of the "oil pan". Very little oil, if any, remains in the engine after the drain plug is removed even when the front axle is on ramps. I decided to use the adapter to minimize any damage to the drain plug in case a source for replacement drain plug O-rings is identified. I measured 8 quarts of drained oil using the markings on empty 5-quart Mobil 1 oil containers. Factory specified capacity is 7.3 liters or 7 quarts and 23 ounces.
Location of E53 oil drain plug.
Adapter for removing/installing plastic drain plug.
Bottom side of engine cover showing thee ball sockets and two ball posts that secure cover to top of engine. The rubber air duct directing cooling air over the turbocharger is a little difficult to remove and install on the inlet on the front right side of the engine compartment.
Air intake duct is held in place with two plastic push pins at front edge and two integral "latches" at the rear edge. Release the outer latch first and then swing the front end of the duct towards the engine to release the inner latch.
Push pin at front edge of air intake duct.
Two integral clips at rear edge of air intake duct.
The oil filter cap can be removed using a 1-1/16" or 27mm socket. Quite a bit of force is required to remove the used filter from the cap. I used a paint can lid removal tool to help remove the O-ring from the cap. Insert a new filter into the housing aligning the post with the small hole in the housing. Install a new O-ring on the cap and torque it down to 25 Nm with a small torque wrench.
Removing oil filter cap.
Remove used O-ring from oil filter cap.
Hole in bottom of oil filter housing.
Insert this end of filter aligning post with hole in filter. Then in stall cap.
When resetting the service meter you are prompted for the oil grade used. Mobil 1 ESP X4 0W-40 meets 229.51 and 229.52 specifications, but I chose 229.52. This is the most authoritative reference I have seen for the E53 oil grade.
Edit: I checked the current online manual for the E53 and it still indicates the incorrect oil grade (229.71/229.72) and capacity (6.0 liters) as of 21-Jun-2025. MB needs to clean house in the department responsible for owner's manuals.
The oil level was at the maximum mark in the Service display of the cockpit screen before I did the oil change. Oil capacity is supposedly 7.3 liters (7 quarts and 23 ounces). I drained a total of 8 quarts of oil from the engine. I refilled the engine with about 7 quarts 19 ounces and took the car for about a 2-mile run. I checked the oil level in the Workshop screen and was prompted to add 0.3 liters of oil to bring it up to the maximum level. I added about 9 ounces of oil (4 ounces remaining in 8th quart container) and the Service display now reads filled to maximum level. Strictly speaking the oil should be weighed in order to accurately measure the oil quantity. It's entirely possible that 7.71 quarts (7.3 liters) of oil at engine temperature could appear to be 8 quarts of oil.
Service display when Workshop screen prompted me to add 0.3 liters.
A few months ago @L1Wolf reported oil filter part number discrepancies for his W214 E450 as follows:
Oil Filter: 254-184-07-00 - Original In Car 254-184-06-00 - Provided by MB dealership parts counter 254-184-05-00 - Stamped on the actual part from MB dealership. Box has the "06" PN
I experienced the same with the oil filters in my E53.
254-184-07-00 original filter in car.
254-184-06-00 part number on replacement filter carton.
I did not realize that Mobil 1 ESP X4 0W-40 was available through Walmart. Unfortunately, it does not seem to be available for pick up at Walmart stores and by the time you add shipping and tax you are up to about $100 for 8 quarts. At the MB dealer the price is probably closer to $20/quart.
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