GLE Class (W166) Produced 2015-2019

Cabin Air Filter Questions!

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Old Jul 16, 2016 | 08:23 PM
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2007 ML350 4Matic
Cabin Air Filter Questions!

Looking to buy a Cabin Air Filter for my 16' GLE350.... How and where would I replace it?

I also have a bad smell coming from the ac when ever I turn it on!
Thanks!
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Old Jul 17, 2016 | 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by JonathanGLE
Looking to buy a Cabin Air Filter for my 16' GLE350.... How and where would I replace it?

I also have a bad smell coming from the ac when ever I turn it on!
Thanks!
I have the same issue! Smells funky when the AC turns on.
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Old Jul 18, 2016 | 09:57 AM
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I'm thinking it should be the Air filter but I've also heard it sometimes is the condenser
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Old Jul 19, 2016 | 11:07 AM
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Smells like feet doesn't it? I was told to make sure my ac is set to auto. That helped a lot.
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Old Jul 21, 2016 | 01:23 PM
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Yea it does! Just got an Oil Change at the dealership on Saturday July 16th and it said that they replaced the Cabin Air filter but it still smells slightly!
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Old Jul 22, 2016 | 09:26 AM
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Seems to be a common problem with Mercedes. None of my other make of cars experienced this.
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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 01:01 PM
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Did you resolve where the smell came from?
having the same prob
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Old Jul 27, 2017 | 07:17 PM
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I have the same issue. 1 year old with about 10k miles so far. I try drying out the moisture by blasting heat for 5 min everyday for the last few days. so far it did help a little. Seem like a common issue. I heard best way to prevent it is to run a few minute of air after tuning off AC.
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 10:03 AM
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bad smell is probably caused by bacteria. Mercedes has a spray that you spray in the air intakes while you blast the fan. if you guys turn off the AC, that could be the reason for the issue... you should never turn off the AC because it's not good for the compressor besides the AC system regulates the humidity in your car and not just the temperature
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 10:25 PM
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it's "normal"/standard for MB. I had the techs completely clean my hvac system, smell went away but the following spring/summer it's back. I've heard you can spray that lysol stuff into some intake, I just don't know where that is (it's in the engine compartment from what I remember, not inside the car).
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Strafzettel
bad smell is probably caused by bacteria. Mercedes has a spray that you spray in the air intakes while you blast the fan. if you guys turn off the AC, that could be the reason for the issue... you should never turn off the AC because it's not good for the compressor besides the AC system regulates the humidity in your car and not just the temperature
For this AC thing, do you have any technical info? I'm curious to see the science behind it as I leave mine on now just to keep the smell at bay
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Old Jul 28, 2017 | 11:05 PM
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There is a bulletin on this for the 166 trucks, there's new software for the A/C module that changes the drying function for the evaporator to come on sooner, which helps. You usually have to run a disinfectant through the evaporator to actually kill the smell, then new dust and cabin filters, then the update and coding changes.

Good news is, it's all covered under warranty, even the filters, as part of the smell fix. Assuming you're still under factory warranty that is.

https://mbworld.org/forums/new-m-cla...lower-air.html
^^ More info and linked the LI there.
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Old Jul 30, 2017 | 03:46 AM
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Hello all
the funny smell appears on my gle when the car stops by the auto stop function. The engine is stopped but mainly everything else is working, obviously something on the AC systems stops and the smell appears. After the auto stop starts the engine, it takes a few seconds to disappear that smell. Amazing Mercedes-Benz!
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Old Jul 30, 2017 | 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Delagle
Hello all
the funny smell appears on my gle when the car stops by the auto stop function. The engine is stopped but mainly everything else is working, obviously something on the AC systems stops and the smell appears. After the auto stop starts the engine, it takes a few seconds to disappear that smell. Amazing Mercedes-Benz!
Possibly your outside filter. I believe the car switches from recirc to fresh air when its in eco stop, so you notice a difference. Try cycling them back and forth and see if you notice the same change. Either way, if you can duplicate it consistently, take it to the dealer, or at least mention it at your next service.
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Old Jul 30, 2017 | 12:34 PM
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Originally Posted by nvsocr7
For this AC thing, do you have any technical info? I'm curious to see the science behind it as I leave mine on now just to keep the smell at bay
I went through a 3 year mechanic training at Mercedes in Germany in the early 90's. I remember them getting mad at customers when they said that they would turn off the AC when it's not needed. That's how I know not to turn it off, I think the manual says that too but who reads that, right ;-)

The bacteria thing is my theory because I once had an air purifier in the house which smelled like sh*#t. I googled it and people said that they do that when there is bacteria in the filter.
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Old Jul 30, 2017 | 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by ItalianJoe1
Possibly your outside filter. I believe the car switches from recirc to fresh air when its in eco stop, so you notice a difference. Try cycling them back and forth and see if you notice the same change. Either way, if you can duplicate it consistently, take it to the dealer, or at least mention it at your next service.
Thanks! I will do that. What I have also noticed it's what it's been mentioned in other messages: I am one of those who turned off the AC (in winter) and sometimes the weird smell also comes out.
as I said, I will contact the dealer and see what solution brings.
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Old Jul 31, 2017 | 10:49 AM
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had the same issue, brought the car in for 1yr service and the MB techs fixed the problem by replacing some filter (i believe cabin air filter). if it's this common, MB dealers should be able to remedy the situation quickly!
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Old Aug 2, 2017 | 12:55 AM
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If you want "backup" after dealer service - the Nextzett treatment can is double the size Wurth can MB uses - like under $15 - stick hose down each dash side air vent as far as it will go - spray and pull hose out while spraying - - center air vents - down as far as it will go - spray for 5secsd then do pull back stiff spraying - let dry:

Amazon Amazon

I have seen "most" dirty-gym-shoe smells occur when customers turn their air con to ultra-low/max-low and leave it there - which causes frost to build up on evaporator - which is turn causes aircon to be less efficient (meaning you keep on ultra-low because is doesn't feel cold enough) and that frost accumulation melts when car is stopped/turned off - leading to "bacteria/mold" wet environment in the evap box - which will drain water - but doesn't let soaked/melted/frost ultra/damp box dry out to kill that ****..
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Old Aug 2, 2017 | 02:11 AM
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I changed the cabin air filter on my GLK350 and the smell went away. I don't think the previous owner ever changed it prior.
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Old Jun 22, 2025 | 09:59 AM
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Were you able to solve the odor issue? I have the same problem, at startup cabin smells horrible for a few seconds then everything goes away.
i sprayed foam into the coils after removing blower motor but it did not help, I guess the liquid did not get to problem areas. Also, drain underneath seems covered with heat shields and other plastics. Any help would be much appreciated.
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Old Jun 25, 2025 | 05:10 PM
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If you change the cabin air filters, be aware that there are 3 filters in the W166. Make sure you change them all.
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Old Jun 26, 2025 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by JonathanGLE
Looking to buy a Cabin Air Filter for my 16' GLE350.... How and where would I replace it?

I also have a bad smell coming from the ac when ever I turn it on!
Thanks!
1


Last edited by softfree; Jun 26, 2025 at 11:45 AM.
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Old Jun 26, 2025 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by softfree
1
The easiest and least costly way to buy the filters is through Amazon. YouTube has several “how to” videos that help you through the process (leads than 1/2 hour to change out all 3 cabin air filters).
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