Introduction: This is the second in a series of articles designed to help the individual Do-It-Yourselfer be able to service their own cars. If you have any doubts or are uncertain of your ability to complete these procedures we advise you to seek professional assistance from a qualified technician. We have selected a 1995 E420 to illustrate the procedure for changing oil and filter. Other E-Class vehicles may utilize similar but not exactly the same steps described below.

Be advised: PeachParts accepts no liability for the information contained within this procedure nor for any adverse outcomes as a result of following this procedure. In other words...the risk is 100% YOURS.

Tools needed: a 13mm socket, extension, ratchet, wobble, and Topsider suction device.

Parts needed: one oil filter (Part# 119 180 00 09 in our case), sealing gaskets/rings (part number includes filter and needed gaskets), and several quarts of oil (8.5 quarts in our application). See your owner's manual for recommended weights and capacity. We recommend using whatever oil your mechanic uses when he/she services the car. PeachParts recommends this procedure only for "in-between" oil changes. It is still best to take your car to a dealer or qualified independent for its scheduled maintenance services. There's no substitute for having a trained and experienced Tech inspect your car for potential issues before they become major problems.

Procedure: We begin by parking the car on level ground. You want the engine oil slightly warm but not up to full operating temperature hot. Park the car, open the hood, and locate the following items; oil filter housing, dipstick/tube, oil fill cap. A good precaution is to put a fender cover on the right fender to protect your car's finish from dropped tools or oil. Rags placed strategically under hood around prime spillage areas are also a plus.

Now it is time for the Topsider.

It may also be helpful to make a 45 degree cut in the end of the Topsider tube to prevent it from sealing against the bottom of the oil pan. Fully close the hose clamp and pump up the Topsider 40-50 times to build a sufficient vacuum. Then just insert the Topsider tube down the dipstick tube as far as it will go. When you feel it bottom out, you know you are there. When the tube is all the way in and the Topsider is pumped up simply release the vacuum and let the Topsider go to work. You should see oil filling the tube almost instantly. It should take approximately 15-20 minutes for all the oil to be sucked out. During this time it may be helpful to inspect other under hood items. About 5 minutes into the oil removal you can begin removing the old filter. Take the 13mm socket and remove the cover completely. Be careful not to drip too much oil on the surrounding areas.

Then take a paper towel or rag and remove the cover. There should be two gaskets on that cover that are replaced when the new filter is put in. You may also remove the old filter at this point. You will want something to put the old filter in so it does not spill or leak oil all over. A ziplock bag works well for this. With the cover off, remove the two old gaskets. A pick or similar tool may ease in removal but a pen-tip, key, knifepoint, etc will work in a pinch.

Once you have the two old gasket rings removed you can pre-lube the new rings. Take a drop or so of new oil and lightly coat both the new ring gaskets. The bigger/thicker gasket goes up under the top of the cover, the smaller/thinner gasket goes in the groove further down. Put on the big/thick gasket first, then put on the thin/small gasket second. That done, you should be ready to pop the new filter in.

Insert the new filter into the housing so that it is perfectly centered. This will make bolting the cover back on much easier. By now the oil should be pretty much sucked out. When the Topsider has removed all of the oil you will hear sucking noises. When significantly no more oil is being sucked out carefully remove the Topsider hose from the dipstick tube. Wipe clean and run some suction through to clean the tube as much as possible. You can then set the Topsider aside for now. Get the 13mm socket and tighten down the oil filter-housing cap. Use no more than approximately 20 ft-lbs of torque on this. If you over tighten and damage that bolt you are in for a new assembly and big $$$ repair bills. With the oil filter cap tightened down and the oil sucked out you can begin putting the new oil in. Your oil fill cap should still be removed. Begin pouring the new oil in through there. Pour almost as many quarts as your owner manual states is the capacity. Then begin pouring the last quart while consistently checking the oil level via the dipstick. Be careful not to overfill. When you have the oil level a few millimeters above the min mark on the dipstick you can put the oil fill cap back on. To be absolutely picky you would want to prime the V8 engines to avoid timing chain tensioner rattle. A quick check of the oil level, oil filter housing, and oil fill cap should reveal the level to be between the min/max marks on the dipstick, the filter housing to be secured, and the oil fill cap on. You are then ready to restart your engine.	INCORRECT PLACEMENT

	CORRECT PLACEMENT

Start your engine and check that your oil pressure is normal. Shut off your engine, wait a few moments and recheck your oil once more to insure that the oil that has filled the filter has not dropped the oil level too low. Add more oil if necessary to bring the level between the Min and Max level. Be sure to dispose of used motor oil through an approved disposal facility. Your corner oil-change station or auto parts store will accept your used oil for disposal.

You may also want to make a notation in your maintenance book indicating the oil and filter change, mileage, date and oil used.

That's all there is to it.