MB Medic Mercedes-Benz Repair Guides, Service, How To DIY
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In this guide (4 sections)
In this article, you will learn how to change the cabin air filter on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 and CLS-Class. The Purpose of the Air Filter is to clean the air from the outside and into the AC system. Replacing the filter is an easy job that you can perform yourself. Change the cabin air filter at least once a year. Replace the air filter more frequently if you drive in heavy traffic, live in a city with poor air quality, or drive frequently. Air filters trap both large and small particles and other pollutants, and premium filters often include a charcoal layer for added odor control. An old cabin air filter can cause the AC system to malfunction. Changing the air filter is a good practice to keep the driver and everyone inside the car healthier.
The cabin air filter of your Mercedes-Benz eliminates the following:
- Pollen
- Dust Particles
- Odors
Clean air is essential for everyone, especially those with asthma or allergies.
Tools and Parts Needed
Replacing the air filter is easy. At a minimum, you will need a new air filter and a few simple tools.
Instructions on how to change the air filter on Mercedes-Benz E-Class, CLS-Class
STEP 1
Locate the hood release under the dashboard on the driver’s side, next to the brake pedal. Open the hood by pulling on the hood release. 
STEP 2
Locate the cabin air filter on your Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
STEP 3
Once you locate the cabin air filter in the engine bay compartment, remove the 10 mm plastic nut on the front of the cabin air filter housing. Be careful not to break the plastic tab. 
STEP 4
Pull out the old air filter. If the air filter has not been replaced for an extended period, you may notice a lot of leaves and dust in the cabin air filter housing. Use a vacuum to clean the housing. 
STEP 5
Install the new filter. Press the filter firmly into the cabin air filter housing.
STEP 6
Check which way the new filter goes in before it is seated. Cabin filters are directional and carry an arrow on the frame showing airflow, and the housing is usually marked as well. A charcoal filter fitted backwards still passes air, so nothing seems wrong, but the layers end up in the wrong order and you lose most of what you paid extra for.
Then put it back together properly. Refit the cover, line the filter and the cover seal up in their channel so the edge is neither pinched nor standing proud, and start the 10 mm plastic nut by hand. Snug is as far as it goes, because the nut and the tab are plastic and they are what people break on this job. Air follows the easiest path, so a cover that is not sealed lets outside air bypass the filter completely and the new filter does nothing. Close the hood last and run the fan up through its speeds to confirm the airflow is back.
Where to buy cabin air filters for your Mercedes-Benz?
You can save money by buying the cabin air filter online. Check prices for Cabin Air Filter for Mercedes-Benz on Amazon.
If the smell comes back, the filter was not the problem
A new filter deals with dust, pollen and the grit that blows in through the cowl, and on a car that has gone years without one the difference is obvious. What it does not do is clean the evaporator behind the dashboard. A musty smell that appears when the fan first comes on, and that returns within a week or two of a fresh filter, is usually growth on the evaporator fins where condensation collects rather than anything to do with the filter. Fitting another filter will not change it.
Two habits help and neither costs anything: run the fan for the last minute or two of a drive with the air conditioning switched off, so the evaporator dries instead of sitting wet, and leave recirculation off in damp weather. If the smell is already established the evaporator itself has to be treated, which is a different job from this one and worth pricing before buying another filter in the hope that it helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a cabin air filter do?
- The cabin air filter keeps the air that comes into the cabin clean.
How often should I replace the cabin air filter on a Mercedes-Benz?
- Cabin Air filters should be replaced at least once a year or more frequently if you commute in an urban city or drive more than the national average.
What are the benefits of changing the cabin air filter?
- It prevents allergens and dust from coming inside the car. It keeps the air that the driver and passengers breathe clean. It helps you stay healthy. It helps those with asthma or allergies.
What are the signs that you need the air filter replaced?
If the air filter has not been replaced for an extended period, you may notice the following:
- Reduction in airflow through the AC system
- Noise from the blower fan if you turn the fan on too high
How does an old, dirty air filter look?
- When you inspect an air filter that has not been replaced for years, you will notice that the old filter has turned black and has collected leaves, twigs, insects, grime and soot. Look at this very dirty air filter. It should have been replaced a long time ago.
How much does replacing the cabin air filter on a Mercedes-Benz E-Class or CLS-Class cost?
The cabin air filter costs between $15 and $30 online. The job itself takes well under half an hour on these cars. If you have a Mercedes-Benz auto repair shop perform this service, expect to pay between $60 and $110.
Applicable Mercedes-Benz Models
2006 CLS500 219.375
2006 CLS55 AMG 219.376
2007-2010 CLS550 219.372
2007-2011 CLS63 AMG 211.077
2004-2009 E320 211.022
2003 E320 Base Sedan 211.065
2006-2009 E350 211.056
2003-2006 E500 211.070
2003-2006 E55 AMG 211.076
2007-2009 E550 211.072
2007-2009 E63 AMG 211.077
Before you buy parts, scan every control module, not just the engine. It shows the root fault behind the warning lights and tells you whether the problem is still active. See how to do a full health check.
Did it today, took 10 minutes and couldn’t have been easier! Thanks for posting these articles and demystifying all these service items!
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