Our 2019 C class Mercedes 220 d S205 has an OM 654 Diesel engine. Although the maintenance schedule (for non-dusty areas) calls for oil changes every 1y / 25,000 km (15.500 mi) (whichever comes first), I try changing the oil no later than 15,000 km.
Disclaimer: Here, I am describing my steps as an self-taught car mechanic. These explanations are not a Mercedes-approved guide. If you are unsure, go to your car repair shop.
What You Will Need
- 6 liters of Mercedes approved engine oil
- The 300 d needs 0.2 liters more oil. Possibly because of its Bi-turbocharger. The Sprinters need even more oil.
- The non-hybrid versions of this engine can use 229.52, 229.61 or 229.71. If unsure, ask your local dealer or look onto your last maintenance invoice. In my case the car was previously filled with 229.52 oil. So that is what I continue to use.
- An oil filter insert. Part number
A6541801100. - An oil drain plug. Part number
A00029902017. A plastic part.- The engine does not have an oil dipstick. So siphoning off the oil is not an option.
- A way to get under the car. Either a car lift, ramps or two jack stands for the front.
- Take this seriously! If the car comes down on you, you won’t be looking very happy any time soon. Get some help if you haven’t put a car onto jack stands before. Don’t kill yourself!
- Tools for removing the lower engine cover (Torx), the oil filter housing (big hex nut) and the drain plug (wide slotted screwdriver).
- A Light to see what you are doing.
- An oil drain pan and a container for the old oil. Some rags and card board to prevent oil spills on the ground.
- Measuring jug for filling the fresh oil.
Let’s Get Started
Drive the car to get up to temperature.
80° C coolant temperature.
Lift the car up.
To lift it up on jack stands, there is a dedicated lift point centrally between the front wheels. That is where you lift it with a jack and then lower it onto jack stands placed on the two dedicated points left and right. I found that it is enough to lift the front only. Make sure the jack stands are secure before getting under the vehicle.
Remove the air intake pipe from the air filter housing.
Unlatch the pipe left and right from the housing and bend it aside so you can access the oil filter housing underneath. Take care not to break the plastic latches (costs 200€ to replace the whole pipe). Unknowingly, we bought our car used with left latch already broken off, although it had been exclusively serviced by Mercedes-Benz dealerships…
Unscrew the oil filter housing.
Just unscrew it enough, so that the remaining oil in the filter can drain back into the housing.
Unscrew the oil filler cap.
See photo.
Underneath the engine, remove the engine covers.
First the middle one, then the rear one. Now the oil sump is accessible.
Move some cardboard and the oil pan underneath the drain plug and unscrew it.
Make sure your container can hold 6 liters. Let it drain for a while.
When drained, replace the drain plug with a new one.
Just turn until it clicks in. Mercedes requires to use a new plug. I’ve never tried reusing the old plug. This may or may not work. But it wouldn’t be according to the book.
Reinstall the lower engine covers.
First the rear one, then the middle one.
Replace the oil filter and the o-ring.
The filter pops off the cap. Then replace the o-ring on the cap that was supplied with the filter. The new filter pops onto the cap in the same way as the old one came off. While holding on the cap, insert the filter so that the little nose fits into the hole on the bottom of the oil filter housing. Tighten the cap with 25 Nm.
Reinstall the air intake pipe.
Make sure the two latches clip into place and the hose underneath is attached.
Fill with fresh oil.
For our C 220 d, the book calls for 6 liters. I know that the C 300 d has a slightly increased volume. Even more for Sprinters with this engine. This engine does not have an dip stick. So be careful to not overfill it. I usually fill in 5.6 – 5.8 liters and take the rest with me on the test drive.
With the hood still open, start the engine.
Look for any obvious leaks.
Take the car on a test drive.
In the service menu, check the oil level. This information will only come available once the engine/oil has gotten onto operating temperature. If required, fill additional oil in small increments (100-200 ml). Don’t overfill it!