How to Perform an Oil Change on an SLK 320, 32, 230
Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only, perform this service at your own risk.
If you have a 230, the procedure is the same. The filter location is indicated at the bottom
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This oil change uses the topsider oil suction machine.
First you need to warm the engine. Do not make the engine too hot as it will melt the topsider hose. Open the hood and remove the oil dip stick. Clean the stick and place it on a clean surface, like a clean rag. Follow the topsider instructions on operation. Basically this means closing the hose clamp and pumping the machine up about 30 times. Insert the hose down the dip stick receptacle until it stops at the bottom of the engine. Now open the clamp and watch the oil run through the hose. See photos left, below and below left. |
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| To the left is a picture of the topsider unit. It can be purchased at Overton's. | ||||||||||
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While the topsider is doing its suctioning, now is a good time to remove the oil filter. The filter cap is shown on the left photo (red arrow). Removal of the cap is best achieved with a special tool that is available through your dealer.
A close up can be seen in the photo below left. Below is a photo with the tool installed. |
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Using a socket wrench, loosen the cap.
Unscrew the cap and remove the oil filter assembly. Have some rags and a plastic bag handy to avoid getting oil all over the engine compartment. Once the cap is loosened, you will hear the oil flow out and down into the engine. You might want to let the residual oil drip down into the canister for a while to minimize the mess. |
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| To the left is a photo of the oil filter assembly dismantled.
The washers as labeled as to their proper location. The oil filter comes with replacement washers. Remove the old washers with the help of a flat head screwdriver. Install the new washers. Slide the new oil filter over the assembly. Rotate the filter as you insert it to get it to slide all the way to the top. The photo below shows the completed assembly. |
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| Lubricate the washers with fresh motor oil and re-insert the assembly into the canister (shown below left). Torque to 25 NM. | ||||||||||
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Oil is added by removing the fill cap shown above right (red arrow).
The 3.2 liter engine uses 8.5 US quarts. It is recommended that only 8 quarts be added initially. Run the engine and check the level. The oil canister/filter can hold about a quart of oil so the level will drop after the oil is circulated for the first time. Add oil as needed. Note that the oil can be drained from the bottom of the engine via the oil drain plug. Mercedes Benz no longer performs oil changes in this manner. US dealers have systems similar to the topsider (just on a larger scale). This system allows more complete oil removal (yes more than draining from the bottom) and does not require the vehicle to be raised. MB does not even include oil drain plug washers with the filter any longer. |
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FOR SLK 230 CARS....
The location of the oil filter is indicated on the left. The procedure is the same overall. |
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