Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

Filters, Filters, Filters, and Lifeblood...

Just because the dealer charges high prices to do routine maintenance doesn't mean one should skip these important tasks.  Many of these jobs can be easily done at home with few tools, the factory service manual, and a little bit of patience.  Here is a list of items I took care of in a couple of short sessions.  The only tool I used that was specialized was the oil extractor, but if you are willing to jack up the car, remove a panel and drain plug, you will not need this tool.  More on that later... All service items completed at 30,000 miles.

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Cabin Air Filter

FRAM CF8770A Fresh Breeze Cabin Air Filter

I had been hearing some noise from the cabin fan once in a while, and upon learning that there was a cabin air filter, decided I should go ahead and service it.  I figured there was probably some debris that needed to be cleared out.  I removed the cover panel below the dash on the passenger side.  Two Philips screws hold it in place and two clips keep the rear portion secure.  Once the panel is removed, the cabin filter compartment is visible.

The two clips slide outward and the cover drops off.  A surprising amount of small debris fell out to the floor mat.

The cabin filter is removed and a new one of the same type is put back in its place. 

Then the compartment cover and access panel cover are put back in their places.  Easy. 

Update 9/1/09

Took less than 5 minutes to order, a couple days to arrive, and another 5 minutes to install.

Instructions

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

 

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Engine Air Filter

FRAM CA9689 Panel Air Filter

The engine air filters come two to a box.  The cover on the engine removes easily.  First the two air intake pipes slide off, then the cover unsnaps from the engine.  The two air filters are housed in separate compartments that are secured by Torx bolts.  Simply open each panel and remove the old filter, replacing the new filter  in its place.  Once done, reassemble the compartments and replace the engine cover making sure all three snaps are secure.

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

 

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Engine Oil Filter

The replacement of the engine oil filter is fairly straightforward.

They don't mention that the cap is actually a center-shaft that carries the oil.  As such it is sealed in four (4) places with rubber o-rings.  The new filter (as shown) comes with new o-rings. They are stepped from largest at the top to smallest at the bottom. 

Let the old filter drain after opening the cap.  Then simply remove the old filter from the cap/shaft with a twisting motion.  Clean off the cap so you can handle it without getting dirty.  Then replace each o-ring in turn, starting from the largest at the top and working down to the smallest at the bottom. 

My filter came with one extra o-ring so I simply compared the old to the new.  The old ones get a little stretched when you remove them so you have to keep that in mind when comparing.

K&N HP-7004 Oil Filter

Filter Cross Reference

Manufacturer	Part Number
CHAMPION LAB.	P843
FRAM	CH8481
MANN	HU7185X
PURO	L44757
WIX	57078

 

Mercedes Benz is tied into the Dodge Sprinter and the Chrysler Crossfire. The Mercedes Sprinter is sold by Dodge dealers in the United States as the Dodge Sprinter and the Crossfire shares a donor platform with the Mercedes SLK. . Oil Filter for some Mercedes Benz Applications are as follows: 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280 3.0L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SL550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ S550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ R350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 4.6L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ G55 AMG 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ E350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLS550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLK550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ CL550 5.5L V8 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C350 3.5L V6 2008 MERCEDES BENZ C300 3.0L V6 2007 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ S550 5.5L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ S550 5.5L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.5L V6 2007 MERCEDES BENZ GL450 4.6L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ E550 5.5L V8 2007 MERCEDES BENZ C280 3.0L V6 2007 MERCEDES BENZ C230 2.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SLK280 3.0L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ S350 3.7L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ R350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ G55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ E350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLS500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CLK350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C55 AMG 5.5L V8 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C350 3.5L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C280 3.0L V6 2006 MERCEDES BENZ C230 2.5L V6 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 2.7L L5 DSL 2006 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 2.7L L5 DSL 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350 3.5L V6 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.7L V6 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C55 AMG 5.5L V8 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C320 3.2L V6 2005 MERCEDES BENZ C240 2.6L V6 2005 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 2.7L L5 DSL 2005 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 2.7L L5 DSL 2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE SRT-6 3.2L V6 2005 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SLK32 AMG 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.7L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ G55 AMG 5.5L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8

K&N Engineering has designed a cartridge oil filter (HP-7004) for the below mentioned models from 1998 to 2007. Designed to trap harmful contaminants, K&N Cartridge Oil Filters provide high oil flow rates and excellent filtration. Replacement gaskets are included to ensure a positive seal on the cartridge housing to the engine block. K&N's HP-7004 slips into the OE housing for an easy fit. K&N Cartridge Oil Filters are covered by our limited warranty to be free from defects in material and workmanship when installed and replaced using engine and equipment manufacturers recommended service intervals.             2004 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C320 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C32 AMG 3.2L V6 2004 MERCEDES BENZ C240 2.6L V6 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 3500 2.7L L5 DSL 2004 DODGE SPRINTER 2500 2.7L L5 DSL 2004 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 3.2L V6 F/I 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SLK32 AMG 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML55 AMG 5.5L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML350 3.7L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ G55 AMG 5.5L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V82003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 4.3L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C320 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C32 AMG 3.2L V6 2003 MERCEDES BENZ C240 2.6L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SLK32 AMG 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S600 5.8L V12 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML500 5.0L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ E430 4.3L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 4.3L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL600 5.8L V12 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C320 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C32 AMG 3.2L V6 2002 MERCEDES BENZ C240 2.6L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SLK320 3.2L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S600 5.8L V12 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S55 AMG 5.5L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML55 AMG 5.5L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 4.3L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E430 4.3L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK55 AMG 5.5L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 4.3L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL600 5.8L V12 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL55 AMG 5.5L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ CL500 5.0L V8 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C320 3.2L V6 2001 MERCEDES BENZ C240 2.6L V6 2000 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S500 5.0L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ S430 4.3L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML55 AMG 5.5L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 4.3L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 2000 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E430 4.3L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 4.3L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG 4.3L V8 2000 MERCEDES BENZ C280 2.8L V6 1999 MERCEDES BENZ SL500 5.0L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML430 4.3L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 1999 MERCEDES BENZ G500 5.0L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E55 AMG 5.5L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E430 4.3L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 1999 MERCEDES BENZ CLK430 4.3L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG 4.3L V8 1999 MERCEDES BENZ C280 2.8L V6 1998 MERCEDES BENZ ML320 3.2L V6 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E430 4.3L V8 1998 MERCEDES BENZ E320 3.2L V6 1998 MERCEDES BENZ CLK320 3.2L V6 1998 MERCEDES BENZ C43 AMG 4.3L V8 1998 MERCEDES BENZ C280 2.8L V6

HP-7004 Product Specifications Product Style: Oil Filters Height: 4.528 in (115 mm) Outside Diameter: 2.5 in (64 mm) Anti Drain Back Valve: No Style: Cartridge Weight: 0.2 lb (0.1 kg) Product Box Length: 2.8 in (71 mm) Product Box Width: 2.9 in (74 mm) Product Box Height: 4.8 in (122 mm)

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

 

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Engine Oil

Every reference source I could locate cited this as the only oil to use in the Crossfire.  So who would I be to second guess it?  If the book says "Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Motor Oil with SuperSyn Formula (Qt.) - 0W-40" then that's what I will use.  I ordered nine (9) quarts so that I would have enough to put 8 1/2 in the car, and 1/2 a quart to use as a chaser for my Gatoraid...  I found when I went to the Mobil web site that I can accumulate $5 credits for each 6-quart case I purchase.

Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic Motor Oil with SuperSyn Formula (Qt.) - 0W-40

Product Data Sheet | Mobil 1 Rewards Form

Let's face it, changing oil is not very difficult but it is potentially one of the messiest jobs you can do on your car.  You have (in this case) almost 9 quarts of oil that must be drained from a car that starts off five inches off the ground.  So you have to jack it up, take off the splash cover, put a catch basin under it, remove the drain plug and drain the oil. 

Meanwhile, topside, the old filter must come out and another one put in its place.  When the oil is drained out, you put the drain plug back in, fill the engine with the proper amount of oil.  The last quart usually goes slow because it's a good idea to check after every 10 ounces or so to make sure you don't overfill it. 

Then you start the car by cranking a few times before letting it start.  Check all the covers and drains for leaks, button up the splash pan, and after letting it sit for another few minutes, top up the oil to the mark on the dip-stick. 

No big deal right?  But who honestly likes to lay on the ground, mess with the drain plug and splash plate?  And what about that drain pan?  Isn't it fun to slosh 9 quarts of oil from the car to where ever you dump it for later return to the recycling place?  NO!

So when I saw an Oil Evacuation system described on the Crossfire Forum (read the message here), I decided to go for broke and order it.  And since it came with a brief case for free, how could I pass it up?  Seriously, it's very simple.  Connect it to the compressor (90psi minimum), stick one of the vacuum tubes down to the bottom of the dip-stick tube, and flip a lever.  The oil is sucked out of the engine and into a storage tank!  No fussing under the car.  No jacking.  No messy clean up (at least not with every oil change).  It tells you how much oil came out of the car (it sucked all but about 4 ounces out of mine - assuming it wasn't down that much to begin with).  Except for the sound of the compressor charging the tank, there is no sound at all.

It sounded too good to be true.  Harbor Freight supplied it and it's made by their house brand - Central Hydraulics - not a high-end manufacturer.  Still, for the price, it's sturdy, comes with several vacuum probes, decent instructions (Download here - 5MB) and wheels to make it easy to move around.

I had to make a hose to go between the compressor and the unit.  The long story short is that I purchased a segment of 3/8" hose, a 1/4" NPT connector, a air chuck connector (male) to thread on, a couple of 3/8" hose clamps, and clamped the hose in between that and the air chuck connector on the device.  I connected the hose to the compressor, cranked up the compressor and followed the instructions.  Pretty soon I was standing there with a 1 7/10 gallons of oil in extractor tank and an empty engine.  Not a drop of oil anywhere in between!  I love this thing!

Clean, easy and safe way to remove oils and fluids. Extracts fluids through dipstick tubes or other openings. Great for cars, tractors, boats and small aircraft engines. Also ideal for industrial gear boxes, coolant and hydraulic systems. 1/2 gallon per minute extractor rate Pressure gauge Reservoir capacity: 6-1/4 gallons Suction capacity: 4-1/4 gallons Includes vacuum gauges and five probes. Air inlet: 1/4'' NPT; Working air pressure: 70-110 PSI; Oil temperature range: 68° (minimum), 158° (maximum); Nylon probes:1/4'' x 27-1/2''L, 5/16'' x 27-1/2''L, 5/16'' x 39-1/4''L; Copper probes: 1/4'' x 27-1/2'' L, 9/32'' x 27-1/2'' L ITEM 46149-3VGA

 

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

 

Resetting the FSS Counter

This symbol represents Service A.
The second symbol represents Service B.
Depending on operating conditions throughout the year, the next service is calculated and displayed next to the this symbol in days remaining before the next service is required.
The next service may be calculated and displayed next to this symbol as distance remaining before the next service is required.
The counter can also be reset by any individual after the indicated service has been performed. To do so: 1. Turn the key to the ON/RUN position. 2. Within one second press the knob/button to the left of the display twice. 3. The present status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed. Within ten seconds turn the key to OFF. 4. Press and hold the knob/button to the left of the display, while turning the key to ON/RUN again. The present status for days remaining or distance traveled is displayed once more. Continue to hold the knob/button to the left of the display. After approximately ten seconds, a tone sounds and the display shows 6,000 miles (10,000 km) for approximately ten seconds. 5. Release the knob/button to the left of the display. If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, the counter must be reset.  The message is displayed for approximately ten seconds when turning the key to the ON/RUN position, or while driving when reaching the service warning threshold. It can be cancelled manually by pressing the knob/button to the left of the display. Once the suggested term has passed, the message, plus either the symbol for Service A or the symbol for Service B preceded by a “–” (minus symbol) blinks for approximately thirty seconds and a tone sounds every time when turning the key to the ON/RUN position. The FSS display can also be called up for approximately ten seconds with the display illuminated by pressing the knob/button to the left of the display twice within one second. Note: When disconnecting the battery for one or more days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such days not counted by the FSS can be added. The interval between services is determined by the type of vehicle operation. Driving at extreme speeds, and cold starts combined with short distance driving in which the engine does not reach normal operating temperature, reduce the interval between services.

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change

 

 

 

Cabin Air Filter | Engine Air Filter | Oil Filter | Oil Change