DIY Service E Cabin Air Filter Replacement

[blackcls63]

Well my Service E was overdue since I reset the reminder at 26,000 miles. I have been

procrastinating to getting this done, i'm actually glad I didn't do it earlier since the Air

Filter was only about 20% dirty, could have gone another 10,000 miles easy.

Nevertheless, I decided to do a write-up since there wasn't a good one yet...

Step1:
Tools Needed, Torx Screwdriver T-20.
Supplies: Mann Air Combination Filter (purchased from autowarehouseparts.com)

Step2:
The instructions supplied (pictures only) with the filter are pretty good, but the following

ones should help even more..

Step3:
Best way to have enough room to dive in there, is get the top down and open the passenger

door all the way.


Step4:
Remove the three torx screws using your nifty torx-20 screwdriver.


Step5:
Pull back the padding in the footwell like in the picture below:


Step6:
There is tab holding the left part of the plastic piece, use a flat-head screwdriver to pop

it out.


Step7:
Disconnect the light connector, and the cigarette lighter connection (this is a weird pull

down clip type plug, took some futzing to get it out)

Step8:
Once the plastic piece is out, you will see a large white box, the filter is inside this

box. There are two yellow clips that need to be slided to the left/right. The box then pops

out from below and the folded-filter will fall right out.


Pic of the old filter, as you can see its pretty clean after 30,000 miles:


Step9:
Make sure you remember the way the filter was (directionally).


Step10:
That's the base of the filter box, take some time to clean it as well since you have access

it to it right now...


Step11:
Once you put the new filter in and put the under-part of the white box back on, you have to

be very careful to make sure it fits snugly. I read in other member's posts that they had to

remove and replace 2-3 times to ensure a snug fit with no air leaks. I had the exact same

thing happen to me!! You have to turn the A/C on, and then check for leaks with your hand

placed at several sides of the box.

Look at the diagram below to see the points to check.


Step12: Thats it, once you make sure the lower box is snugly fit, you're done!

Total Time : 1 hour , Supplies Cost: $50.00

[9moon]

hey there.. thanx for posting up the pictures and tips... im a bit confuse tho, is this the regular air filter?? i thought that it would be around the engine?? .. another thing, how do u reset the "reminder"..

[blackcls63]

Originally Posted by 9moon

hey there.. thanx for posting up the pictures and tips... im a bit confuse tho, is this the regular air filter?? i thought that it would be around the engine?? .. another thing, how do u reset the "reminder"..

Its the Cabin Filter. not the engine air filter.

[Duo-Art]

Am I the only SLK owner that thinks the cabin air filter is just a gimick to charge customers more for service. Why would I want filtered air when the a/c or heater is on when I drive with the top down or with the windows down. When my car indicates that the filter needs changing, I'll remove it and not put a new one in.

[lucky6600]

Originally Posted by Duo-Art

Am I the only SLK owner that thinks the cabin air filter is just a gimick to charge customers more for service. Why would I want filtered air when the a/c or heater is on when I drive with the top down or with the windows down. When my car indicates that the filter needs changing, I'll remove it and not put a new one in.

This is a thinking out of the box thought ...... interesting

[dsb]

Awesome post. I ordered a filter online and haven't got around to changing it yet. After looking at this post, I've realized that I received the wrong filter!

[Ynot]

Good tutorial. thanks.

[turbotom1]

Jurassic thumb, lol