S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

DYI oil change, air filters and cabin air filter change.

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Old Oct 9, 2010 | 05:15 PM
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DYI oil change, air filters and cabin air filter change.

Can someone post some instructions DYI for doing oil change and air filters change? It will be greatly appreciate.
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Old Oct 9, 2010 | 07:32 PM
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Air filters are easy. Unclip the engine cover from the rear and pull up on it. It will require a little force to unplug the retainers. Slide it back towards the windshield to unhook the air tubes. On a bench flip it over and use a torx bit (can't remember size 20 maybe 25) to undo each filter cover. R&R filter and clean all the crap that is in there. When you are done reinstall in reverse. when you have it in place a solid open handed hit in each corner should lock it down then re-clip the rear. Should take 10 minutes all in.

Cabin filters- Under passenger side dash remove black panel (same torx bit if I'm not mistaken). The airbox is under there behind the glovebox. I recommend moving the seat all the way back and down as you kinda need to get up under there to see. Also, put plastic or a garbage bag down on the floor as when you pull the filter crap will fall out. there are two black sliding clips that hold the cover on. They slide side to side, unclip them and the cover should pull down. Look up in there- the filters will be at a 20* angle to each other. Pull them down, clean the crap and replace. follow steps to replace everything. Make notice when you replace the trim piece- there is a clip or two that need to be slid in place to hold it up in addition to the torx bit.

Oil change- Don't know. I buy the oil filter from MB and get a pack of Mobil one from Costco and $25 later (labor) my local guy does the rest. Frankly why you would want to jack up the car, drain the oil, pull and replace the filter and dispose of the oil for 25 bucks is beyond me. Not trying to be a pain, just that the $25 (or whatever labor will cost you) is the cheapest labor you can buy when compared to what it will take to do the job (and a messy job it is!).
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Old Oct 9, 2010 | 10:57 PM
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On the OIL change.... I have a little electric pump with a adapter I made on the lathe with O rings. I slip it in the dipstick tube and suck the oil out..Filter should be loosened first so the oil in the filter drops into the crankcase. Be sure to use the correct Fleece filter and fill it with Mobil 1 0W 40. 15 min job..
I usually suck out the power steering fluid and replace it at same time as I use the same pump..
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 09:58 AM
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oil changes are easy (especially if you use the extractor).

Then again, if you can get it done at the dealer for around $100, I'd just let them do it.
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by platt-deutsch
On the OIL change.... I have a little electric pump with a adapter I made on the lathe with O rings. I slip it in the dipstick tube and suck the oil out..Filter should be loosened first so the oil in the filter drops into the crankcase. Be sure to use the correct Fleece filter and fill it with Mobil 1 0W 40. 15 min job..
I usually suck out the power steering fluid and replace it at same time as I use the same pump..
The oil filter housing is hidden under the engine cover, unlike the W220 it is located in the front on the outside of the engine cover.
Can you tell me where is the oil filter housing is located under the cover for W221.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Oliverk
oil changes are easy (especially if you use the extractor).

Then again, if you can get it done at the dealer for around $100, I'd just let them do it.
Agreed, it takes me 10 minutes to change my oil (extractor method), but if you can find someone that can change it for 100.00 do it. Filter and oil is like 90.00 already.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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I agreed, except I have some filters and oil left over from my previous S500. I just want to use them up. I am using an oil vaccum extractor. But the S550 oil filter is under the engine cover and I am not familiar with the removing W221 engine cover. I am in fear of breaking something. Any instruction will be greatly appreciated.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 03:50 PM
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Pull straight up from front edge of cover till it snap off.

After, guide tabs over notch from the left and right side edge of cover.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 04:08 PM
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What about the clip toward the back of the engine cover?
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 04:40 PM
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all you should need to do is pop off the front part of the plastic. Just pull up the front gently and then either slide it or lift it off:

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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 06:28 PM
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I wish my local Costco sells Mobil 1 0W-40. And Wal Mart don't have them in the 5 qt jar.
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 06:30 PM
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No need to remove rear cover when changing oil filter.

Only necessary to remove rear when changing air filter.
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Old May 1, 2011 | 10:21 PM
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greetings everyone. Just purchased a 2008 C300. Would like to change my own oil and filter like always. Is this "oil extractor" I am reading about an available tool at parts houses. Also, any helpful tips on the filter change. I noticed it is not a simple spin on like I'm used to.
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Old May 15, 2011 | 07:07 PM
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If you are draining the oil, I found out the hard way that the copper washer can’t be reused. The parts guy at the dealer didn’t tell me when I bought the filter and I was leaking oil at the drain plug for a week before I noticed it.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 03:24 PM
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if you are in a big pinch, you can always flip the copper washer the other way around. That will typically last you one more change, but it might drip a bit.
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Old May 17, 2011 | 05:00 PM
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I asked my SA if I could flip the washer and he didn't recommend it because of what you said...it could leak. He said he had to charge for an oil service to stop the leak.

For a new washer at 50 cents, a charge for time, and reusing my fresh Redline from last month, using an indy made it a no brainer.
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Old Jan 24, 2015 | 12:44 AM
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just did the air & cabin filter change. Oil change is next. Thank you to this thread, very informative.
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Old Jan 26, 2015 | 08:30 AM
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This guy shows how to an oil change with a tospider with the same exact engine cover. I think he has one on air filters too.

Last edited by Nickthegreek; Jan 26, 2015 at 04:04 PM.
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Old Jan 26, 2015 | 08:35 AM
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Here's air filter

Last edited by Nickthegreek; Jan 26, 2015 at 04:05 PM.
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Old Jan 27, 2015 | 12:16 AM
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Completed the oil change & complete brake job - new pads, sensors, & turned all 4 rotors!!!Thanks for all the info from this site.
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Old Jan 27, 2015 | 12:46 PM
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After doing my first oil change, I ordered one of these quick drain plugs and it is the best 26$ i have spent on my w221. I also have it in my dodge charger for 6 years now.

http://www.qwikvalve.com/search.php?mode=search&page=1
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Old Jun 14, 2015 | 08:56 PM
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Quick drain plug.

Can you tell me what size is the quick drain plug that you instead in your car.
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Old Mar 17, 2016 | 10:26 AM
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That video didn't show me how to take the oil filter off...
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Old Mar 17, 2016 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by mercedesbenzs55
That video didn't show me how to take the oil filter off...
You have to remove the o rings, and then the filter slides off. YOU TUBE has a few videos on this. Actually - You Tube has all the videos on ait filter and oil.
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Old Mar 26, 2016 | 09:21 PM
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Originally Posted by egalt
You have to remove the o rings, and then the filter slides off. YOU TUBE has a few videos on this. Actually - You Tube has all the videos on ait filter and oil.
This :

http://youtu.be/1hbPiHFB3Ys

At some point it becomes a bit boring ..
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