I reached the 40K mile mark and started to do the 20K service this week. So far I completed the filter changes and windshield wiper blade replacement. I still need to rotate the tires, inspect brake rotor and pad wear, and reset the service mileage counter. It's only been 9 months since the first 20K complimentary service, so I decided to wait until next Summer to have the brake fluid flushed.

These are the parts I ordered online to complete the service:

Part Number / Price/ Part Name
297-835-01-00 / $64.18 / Cabin Air Filter (Underhood "pre-filter")
223-835-24-00 / $87.77 / Air Filter (Under glove box cabin filters)
296-820-15-00 / $76.80 / Wiper Blade (Front wiper blades - set)
167-820-49-03 / $20.74 / Wiper Blade (Rear wiper blade)

Total: $249.49

I could not find any online videos showing how to change the cabin filter. I started by removing the large plastic cover over the HEPA filter thinking that the filter might be beneath the plastic panel that also covers the 12v battery. Once I removed the large panel I confirmed that the smaller cabin filters could not be accessed from under the hood like it is in some other MB SUVs.

I then removed the panel below the glove box which is held in place with two screws near the glove box door hinge and two tabs along the front edge of this panel. There is a cut out in the panel to accommodate the passenger side below dash air bag which does not get disturbed when accessing the cabin filter housing. I removed the two cable connectors from the panel in order to completely remove the panel while changing the filters. It's relatively easy to pop the cover on the filter housing open, but I was unable to completely remove the cover. It's a little tedious to remove the two filters while the cover is hinged open about 45 degrees. The filters are positioned with two small holes facing upward and the "blue" side of the filters facing each other. There was no apparent difference in the condition of the new and old filters.

Changing the large pre-filter next to the HEPA filter is fairly easy. Simply release the three tabs holding the cover closed and remove the filters. I found it was easier to remove both filters at the same time, replace the pre-filter, and then re-insert both filters while holding them together. You will have to pull the top edge of the filter housing forward in order to release the filters from the housing. The maintenance interval for the HEPA filter is 50K miles. I plan to change it later this year. It's easy to see the difference between the new and used pre-filters. See attached photo.

The front wiper blades include Ikea style instructions on the carton. I changed the driver side blade with the wipers in the service position. I found it was easier to change the passenger side blade with the wipers in the at rest position along the bottom edge of the windshield. I used a plastic trim removal tool to pop the rear wiper blade out of the wiper arm.


Under glovebox panel.


One of two tabs at front edge of under glovebox cover.


Accessing cabin filter below glovebox.



Holes in top edge of under glovebox cabin filter.


Comparing new and used (after 20K miles) under hood pre-filter.



Rear wiper blade "snap-in" pivot point.

 

As part of the DIY 20K service I rotated the tires and inspected the rotors and pads. The tread depth on three of the 265/50R-20 Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 XL tires measures 9.25/32" after the 3rd rotation at 17000 miles. The fourth tire measures just over 10/32" and is the only one that has not been mounted on the rear passenger position. The original tread depth on these tires was 11/32". The rotors and pads show no measurable wear since the last tire rotation 7000 miles ago. It looks like I will get at least 50K miles out of the 20" tires even though they are not an EV design.

The only thing that has me mildly concerned after a visual inspection of the car is the coolant level in the two expansion tanks under the hood. The fluid is below the middle of the tank. I have not seen any low coolant level warnings, so I will probably wait until I get the PA safety inspection in a few months before I ask the dealer to check it out just before the warranty expires.

I regret not checking the thickness of the rotors and brake pads when the EQS was new. I also wish I had snapped a photo of the coolant expansion tanks as a point of reference when I took delivery of the car.

 

Once 20K miles are driven since the last maintenance reset, you will be reminded that the maintenance is due every time you start the car. The maintenance reset procedure can be accessed from the Workshop Menu. I followed the steps outlined in this video to open the Workshop menu.


Select ASSYST PLUS -> FULL SERVICE -> CONFIRM SERVICE in order to start a new 20K mile countdown.


Confirm Service option in Workshop Menu.

 

mine 20k series almost here, probably just do it myself if only need to change those 4 thing Cabin Air Filter, Air Filter, + wiper blades and verify tires. ​​​​​​
thank you for those instructions, very helpful.

 

If this is the first 20K mile service for your car, I recommend having it done at the dealer. It's complimentary, and you may get some module software updates. I was getting various warning messages prior to the the first 20K service. After the updates were applied I did not receive a single battery related warning message.

Edit: Another reason to have the first 20K mile service done at the dealer is that it includes a brake fluid flush. I did not do that on my second 20K service since it's only been 9 months since the first service.

 

I received this email message from my dealer today, just a few days after I completed the DIY 20K mile service.

"Your 2023 EQS, PA00xxxx, is due for service. Commit to excellence with Genuine Mercedes‑Benz Parts and expert technicians. Mercedes‑Benz Integrated Service Package is good for the first 4 years or 40k miles.

Service B includes*:

• Brake fluid exchange
• Reset maintenance counter
• Cabin dust/combination filter replacement
• Brake component inspection
• Tire inflation check and correction
• All fluid level checks and corrections are dependent on factory-recommended service intervals for your vehicle's year and model

To schedule a Service B appointment, please contact Mercedes‑Benz of Doylestown at 215‑340‑9500 or book an appointment online today.

Sincerely,
Mercedes‑Benz of Doylestown

This message was generated by predictive diagnosis through your vehicle."

I was surprised the list of included service items did not include the wiper blades like it did for the first complimentary 20K mile service.

 

For those of us without the HEPA upgrade, access to the under-hood filter is a bit more complicated. Lazaru5's hood-strut mod is basically required to do this safely
Part numbers can be either 166-830-02-18 or 166-830-00-18 (Probably some others as well).
The filter is located under the hood near the passenger side:

First you have to unlock the cowl by turning these retainers 90-degrees; there's two on each side:

Then, you can gently lift the cowl and see the airbox:

 

To remove the airbox, you have to push-in the tabs on the bottom-left and bottom-right while gently tilting the front-edge of the airbox upwards. (It's easer to appreciate them already separated.):

Tabs

Tab holes
With the Air box removed, just flip it upside-down and change the filter:

New filter in place.
Reassembly is the opposite of disassembly.

 

The in-cabin filter change is just as Lazaru5's instructions describe, but I'll add 1 detail:
For the access panel under the glove box, there is a slot next to the screw closest to the door. Inserting a larger flat-head screwdriver to disengage the retaining clip there makes removal a lot easier.

Pink circle

Tab to be released

 

Recently completed my 2nd 20k service. Skipped brake fluid flush and wiper blade replacement. Cost a little over $300 at the dealership even with a complimentary loaner. There is no need to waste money on this, it's an electric car. Call around, get the best rate, then tell them what you actually need. Else they'll price it like a gas car and sell you every unnecessary thing.

 

What might those unnecessary items be?

 

Caveat that I am not a mechanic, but I have access to google; My understanding is that brake fluid is hygroscopic (accumulates moisture from the air), and must be flushed/replaced periodically to prevent long-term damage to the system. On the other hand, the accumulation of moisture is more time-dependent, rather than based on miles.

So, I've decided to limit the brake fluid flushes to every 2 years, regardless of miles. My first flush cost ~$200 at the local dealer, which I am happy to let them do (that stuff is incredibly toxic!). Everything else (filters, and wiper blades) I can do myself. For wiper blades, I'm waiting until after winter is over (the ice & snow are what usually wrecks blades here) to install the Bosch aftermarket ones (Bosch AeroTwin A890S).

 

@Thrombectomy Just had my first A2 service at 30,000km. The SA said that the service might include a brake fluid change but they did no do that. Next service is B6 in another 30,000km. I am not concerned.

 

First service is complimentary in the US. So better to accept all options, then skip them on subsequent services when you have to pay out of pocket.

 

While calling around some dealerships tried to sell me gas car stuff like oil changes, spark plugs etc, while others include wheel alignments, increasing costs to well over $1000 for a B service. When shopping around ask exactly what is included for their quoted price.

 

I find it exasperating that MB can't publish a globally consistent service schedule for the EQ cars...with consistent tasks and consistent nomenclature. Even their website (in Sweden, at least) isn't consistent with what I see in the car, what I see in MMe and what the SA tells me. Everyone should err on the side of caution when it comes to servicing by the required thresholds (if one can determine them). I've seen more than a few posts online where MB uses slight overage on thresholds to wiggle out of warranty responsibilities.

 

Is there a specific reason or recommendation why you decided to replace only the under-hood pre-filter instead of replacing both the pre-filter and the main filter (Part #297-835-02-00)?

 

If I recall correctly the HEPA filter replacement interval is 50K miles. The MSRP is $294. If I had kept the SUV I would have probably changed both filters at 60K miles.

 

Thank you for the quick response. I’m currently doing my 80k service. I had the dealer flush the brake fluid, and I’m taking care of everything else myself. I’ll go ahead and replace both filters.

 

If you plan to continue doing your own maintenance you should add the hood struts to increase safety working under the hood.

 

Do you ever miss your EQS 450 SUV? I'm just so pleased with our MY26 model.

 

I miss the comfortable ride in my 2023 EQS SUV. But I don't miss the congestion at public charging stations. My 2025 E53 Hybrid is not a perfect car, but it's fun to drive. If there is another MB in my future it will be an ICE model. The Hybrids have too many warts.

 

You can get aftermarket filters on Amazon for a fraction of MB cost. Are they as good? Don't know for sure, but my interior air quality reading seems to think so. I think each filter is about $35 at Amazon.

 

Can you provide a link to the ~$35 aftermarket filter equivalent to the MB HEPA filter 297-835-02-00? I could not find one on Amazon.

 

And this has apparently happened to me.
I took the car to the MB dealer here for service. Left it for the day with a service order to perform A2 service.
Picked it up at the end of the day and was told by the dealer that A2 service was not performed as the computer (and the car) said it was not due for a couple more months.
The next day, I received a call from the workshop that A2 service needed to be performed after all. And the confusion was something to do with communication module in the car and communicating with the back end (not sure if this is the MB's back end or the dealer's or workshop computer).
I brought the car back in the following week.
A few days ago, I made an inquiry to MB Sweden about the guarantee on the HV battery, just to confirm my understanding of the language there -- even though I'm having no trouble with my HV battery.
I received a response from MB Sweden that shocked me. They said the remainder of my HV battery warranty (i.e. about 8 years) was invalidated due to a gap in the service schedule.
Wow! This certainly wasn't expected!! The gap exists only because the dealer did not perform the A2 service when I left the car for service, as that was one day before the 2 year threshold.
I have asked MB to look into this further, as the "gap" is through no fault of my own.
I am only writing about this here to underscore for others the importance of making sure you don't miss ANY thresholds -- mileage or calendar.