How to Change the Oil on a Mercedes-Benz: DIY Oil and Filter Change Instructions

Last updated: October 29, 2026

In this guide (4 sections)

1. Procedure
2. How much does it cost to change the Mercedes-Benz engine oil yourself?
3. Can I use regular oil on Mercedes-Benz cars?
4. Should I Use a Quick Oil-Change Shop for My Mercedes-Benz?

This how-to article gives you step-by-step instructions for changing the oil and filter on your gasoline Mercedes-Benz. If you have a diesel, see our Mercedes-Benz diesel oil change guide. With some professional oil changes costing more than $200, many Mercedes-Benz owners choose to change the oil themselves. We recommend you use the same oil and filter used by the dealer. Links to purchase the correct oil and filter at a fraction of dealer prices are provided below. On many Mercedes-Benz models, the oil and filter are straightforward to replace with basic tools.

Make:	Mercedes-Benz
Model:	C, E, CLK, CLS, SLK, ML, S and SL Class
Years:	2003 to 2015
Difficulty:	Easy
DIY Cost:	$45 to $50
Shop Cost:	$150 to $230
Time:	30 minutes
Frequency:	10,000 miles

Use an oil carrying the Mercedes-Benz approval specified for your engine. Confirm the approval and viscosity in the owner’s manual or current service information. The best price we have found on the Mobil1 0W40 oil is on Amazon, where you can buy a 5-quart bottle. Most of the V6 and V8 engines in these models, such as the C240, E320, CLK350, CLS550, E500, E55 AMG and ML500, hold about 8 to 9 quarts, so you need two bottles. Oil capacity varies by engine. Confirm the required capacity in the owner’s manual or service information before filling.

This may be the biggest investment if you don’t have the following. Even if you were to purchase all these tools, you would still spend less on the first oil change than you would at the shop. Here is what you may need. Confirm tool sizes for your engine before starting.

• 74 mm Oil Filter Wrench for Mercedes-Benz for 3/8-inch Ratchet
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 13 mm wrench or socket
• Oil Drain Pan that holds 8+ quarts
• Jack stands with a 2-ton minimum rating
• Vehicle Ramps (Optional)

Watch: Mercedes-Benz M278 V8 Engine Oil Change Guide

Procedure

1. Pull the hood release

Locate the hood-release handle inside the vehicle on the driver’s side.

2. Open the hood

Pull the handle until the hood releases.

3. Raise the car

Raise the vehicle only at the approved lifting points. Support it securely with properly rated jack stands or drive it onto rated ramps on a firm, level surface. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Chock the wheels and apply the parking brake. If you are using ramps, confirm that the ramps are rated for the vehicle and wide enough for the tires. Center the tires on the ramps before going underneath.

4. Remove the splash shield

Remove the splash shield, which is the black plastic underneath the engine. Fastener type and quantity vary by chassis.

5. Drain Oil

Warm oil drains more completely, but hot oil and exhaust components can cause burns. Allow the engine to cool to a safe working temperature and wear gloves and eye protection. Remove the oil drain plug. To remove the plug, use the 13mm wrench or socket and turn the bolt counterclockwise. If it is too difficult to remove the drain plug, ensure you are not tightening it. Let the oil drain for at least 10 minutes. Transfer the used oil into a sealed container and take it to an approved recycling location. Do not pour used oil onto the ground or into a drain.

6. Remove part of the engine cover

Remove the front part of the engine cover. The plastic cover can be removed by pulling it up and away.

7. Remove the oil filter

Place the oil filter removal tool on the oil filter and remove it. Pull out the old filter element and remove the old rubber O-rings from the cap.

8. Install a new oil filter

Install each new O-ring in the same groove used by the original seal. Do not place an O-ring on the cap threads or in an unused groove. Lightly coat the new O-rings with clean engine oil. Confirm that the old seals have been removed and that the new filter is fully seated. Make sure to change the rubber O-rings every time you change the filter. If you have a torque wrench, tighten the filter to 25 Nm.

9. Install the oil drain plug

If you have a torque wrench, tighten the oil drain plug to 30 Nm (22 ft-lbs). Replace the drain plug sealing washer every time.

10. Add oil

Add slightly less than the vehicle’s specified capacity, then check the level using the model-specific procedure and top up gradually. You don’t want to overfill. These engines keep a lot of oil inside the oil galleries, hydraulic lifters, and other parts. Let the car sit on level ground for 15 minutes, then check the oil level and see the oil level to see if you need to add more. If you overfill with oil, some models will show a warning on your dash saying, “Reduce Oil Level.” If that warning appears when the level is correct, suspect the oil level sensor. Start the engine and verify that the oil-pressure warning goes out promptly. Shut the engine off, inspect the filter housing and drain plug for leaks, then check the level using the vehicle-specific procedure.

11. Reset Service Reminder

Carefully lower the vehicle. Reinstall the engine cover and the splash shield that you removed earlier. Let the car sit for a while and check the oil level to ensure it is within the maximum and minimum range. As the last step, reset the service reminder. Procedures vary by model, and our guide on how to reset a Mercedes service reminder after an oil change covers the instrument cluster method. If your car will not reset from the cluster, the UCAN-II Pro can reset the service indicator with its service functions. While the hood is open, it is also a good time to check the engine air filter.

How much does it cost to change the Mercedes-Benz engine oil yourself?

If you change the oil yourself, you can get the job done for less than $60, assuming you have a few basic tools. Most V6 engines (for example, the E320) and V8 engines (for example, the CLK500) need about 8 to 9 quarts. When you change the oil, start with about 7 quarts and then add as needed to bring the oil to the correct level.

Regular oil changes are critical to engine life. We want you to save money, but there is no room to cut corners regarding oil changes. Think twice before using a low-cost oil-change service. Why? If you use the required oil and filter the manufacturer recommends, you will spend around $60 for parts alone. With the quick and cheap oil changes offered by repair shops, you are not getting the same oil or filter your Mercedes-Benz dealer uses. The problem we see all the time is that the installed filter is not designed for extended mileage. Most of those filters are not designed for 10,000-mile oil change intervals.

If you get $19.99 special oil changes, you should change your oil every 3,000 miles. We believe that for that price, you are not getting a quality oil filter or oil that can lubricate your engine for 10,000 miles.

Can I use regular oil on Mercedes-Benz cars?

Not if regular means any conventional oil off the shelf. Use an oil that carries the Mercedes-Benz approval required for your engine. Do not substitute conventional oil based only on viscosity or a shorter change interval. Regular oil will break down and cannot protect the engine for 10,000 miles. Keep track of the mileage, and don’t wait for the car to remind you of the oil intervals. You will need to change the oil more frequently, because running regular oil for 10,000 miles can damage the engine.

Should I Use a Quick Oil-Change Shop for My Mercedes-Benz?

We don’t recommend quick oil change places because most will not have an oil that has been approved and will last 10,000 miles. Even more important, the oil filter needs to be able to last for 10,000 miles. Most cartridge filters are not designed to last 10,000 miles. You need to use the correct OE-quality filter by part number instead.

With the recommended OE or OE-quality filter and an approved oil for your exact engine and VIN, the typical interval is 10,000 miles or whatever your service indicator calls for, whichever comes first.