I figured this may be useful for the frugally minded folks on here such as myself. Didn't want to pay $150-$200 for an oil change from MB, so I did some research and performed the task myself. (disclaimer: do at your own risk, not responsible for injury, death, or blown up engines 
). I found out that if you change the oil yourself, the oil, oil filter, and copper washer will run about $60-$80...PLUS, I like to have things done RIGHT.
car: s430
alloted time: 1 hour or less
supplies: 8.5 quarts of 5w/40 mobil one or equiv; MB oil filter; MB copper washer for oil plug; LARGE drain pan ( you should have one that holds at least 9+++ quarts); rags & latex gloves.
tools: MB oil filter wrench, 10mm socket; 13mm socket.
Skills: Basic automotive maintenance skills. If you have NEVER changed oil in any car before, seek assistance from experienced auto person.
Warm up the engine by driving for about 10 minutes or more. Professionals recommend the engine oil is HOT so it flows better when removing it and also drains out more impurities. Then, drive up on service ramps (or jack up), shut engine, apply parking brake and chock wheels. Make sure car is stable b/c you are going under the car so you do not want it coming down on you -very bad. Then, open hood. If you don't know how to open a MB hood, you should probably not be doing any servicing.
I read about how MB uses a suction pump from the oil dipstick to pump out old engine oil. I do not have a pump, nor feel IMO that it is the best way to do things so I located the drain plug under the car. But FIRST, you must remove (4) bolts holding the plastic shield to allow access to drain plug. I used a 10mm socket, see here:
![Image]()
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010265.jpg
After the plastic shield is removed and put out of the way, you can see the oil pan and oil drain plug as show here:
![Image]()
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010266.jpg
Place your large oil pan container under the drain plug, use your 13mm socket to remove the oil plug. It's on there tight, or should be. Remove plug, be careful because oil it HOT and it could burn you and make a mess. When you have the oil plug removed, clean up and examine plug for damage. Replace the copper washer on the oil plug and place on your workbench for future install. I found that draining the old oil took over 20 minutes to drain most/all of it out.
Now the fun part...where's the oil filter? Most Japanese and American cars have them on the engine block somewhere, not MB. Here's a pic of the oil filter location:
![Image]()
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010264.jpg
it's that round thing about the size of an oil filter. Use your MB oil filter wrench or equiv to remove filter cover. Once the oil filter cap/cover is off, the oil filter (paper type) comes out with it like this:
![Image]()
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010267.jpg
Obviously that's the pic of the NEW filter, the old one will be soaked in oil. Replace the filter EXACTLY how it is shown in the instructions with the new filter. HINT: you have to push with a little force, the filter into place. IMPORTANT: replace all the rubber O-RING gaskets as well. Follow instructions.
Re-installed new oil filter assembly into place and torque to specs. By now the old oil should be done draining out of the oil pan. Replace oil plug and torque to specs. Do NOT overtighten. Replace plastic cover and lightenly tighten the (4) 10mm bolts. Open the oil fill cap just in back of the oil filter area and carefully pour approximately 8.5 quarts of recommended MB oil. CAUTION: do not overfill or you risk engine damage. I poured 8 quarts in and then checked oil level, then added as necessary. Replace oil fill cap, check oil one more time. Remove all objects under car and around engine bay. Start engine and IDLE only for 1-2 minutes, check for leaks AND watch for oil light (bad). If that happens shut engine off and seek assistance.
Now's a good time to remove car to a level location (like off the ramps) and shut off engine. Allow engine to sit for a few minutes and check oil level again. Add if necessary, but do not overfill. Also check for oil leaks.
You are done!
). I found out that if you change the oil yourself, the oil, oil filter, and copper washer will run about $60-$80...PLUS, I like to have things done RIGHT. car: s430
alloted time: 1 hour or less
supplies: 8.5 quarts of 5w/40 mobil one or equiv; MB oil filter; MB copper washer for oil plug; LARGE drain pan ( you should have one that holds at least 9+++ quarts); rags & latex gloves.
tools: MB oil filter wrench, 10mm socket; 13mm socket.
Skills: Basic automotive maintenance skills. If you have NEVER changed oil in any car before, seek assistance from experienced auto person.
Warm up the engine by driving for about 10 minutes or more. Professionals recommend the engine oil is HOT so it flows better when removing it and also drains out more impurities. Then, drive up on service ramps (or jack up), shut engine, apply parking brake and chock wheels. Make sure car is stable b/c you are going under the car so you do not want it coming down on you -very bad. Then, open hood. If you don't know how to open a MB hood, you should probably not be doing any servicing.
I read about how MB uses a suction pump from the oil dipstick to pump out old engine oil. I do not have a pump, nor feel IMO that it is the best way to do things so I located the drain plug under the car. But FIRST, you must remove (4) bolts holding the plastic shield to allow access to drain plug. I used a 10mm socket, see here:
After the plastic shield is removed and put out of the way, you can see the oil pan and oil drain plug as show here:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010266.jpg
Place your large oil pan container under the drain plug, use your 13mm socket to remove the oil plug. It's on there tight, or should be. Remove plug, be careful because oil it HOT and it could burn you and make a mess. When you have the oil plug removed, clean up and examine plug for damage. Replace the copper washer on the oil plug and place on your workbench for future install. I found that draining the old oil took over 20 minutes to drain most/all of it out.
Now the fun part...where's the oil filter? Most Japanese and American cars have them on the engine block somewhere, not MB. Here's a pic of the oil filter location:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010264.jpg
it's that round thing about the size of an oil filter. Use your MB oil filter wrench or equiv to remove filter cover. Once the oil filter cap/cover is off, the oil filter (paper type) comes out with it like this:
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z315/95gatl/Misc/P1010267.jpg
Obviously that's the pic of the NEW filter, the old one will be soaked in oil. Replace the filter EXACTLY how it is shown in the instructions with the new filter. HINT: you have to push with a little force, the filter into place. IMPORTANT: replace all the rubber O-RING gaskets as well. Follow instructions.
Re-installed new oil filter assembly into place and torque to specs. By now the old oil should be done draining out of the oil pan. Replace oil plug and torque to specs. Do NOT overtighten. Replace plastic cover and lightenly tighten the (4) 10mm bolts. Open the oil fill cap just in back of the oil filter area and carefully pour approximately 8.5 quarts of recommended MB oil. CAUTION: do not overfill or you risk engine damage. I poured 8 quarts in and then checked oil level, then added as necessary. Replace oil fill cap, check oil one more time. Remove all objects under car and around engine bay. Start engine and IDLE only for 1-2 minutes, check for leaks AND watch for oil light (bad). If that happens shut engine off and seek assistance.
Now's a good time to remove car to a level location (like off the ramps) and shut off engine. Allow engine to sit for a few minutes and check oil level again. Add if necessary, but do not overfill. Also check for oil leaks.
You are done!
