Mercedes ML320: How to Change the Oil and Filter
by Gregory Crews
The Mercedes ML320 is an elegant car, built by one of the most prestigious car manufacturers in the world. Properly maintaining this car is essential to prolonging the life of the vehicle and upholding its resale value. Changing the oil and the filter every 3,000 miles will ensure that the engine runs at its peak performance. Note every oil change to help ensure that your car never misses an oil change.
Step 1
Park the car on a flat, level surface. Set the parking brake.
Step 2
Locate the oil pan underneath the car. The oil pan is located at the bottom of the engine. Slide a drain pan underneath the engine to catch the used oil.
Step 3
Unscrew the drain plug with a socket wrench. The drain plug requires a 13mm socket. Allow all the oil to drain from the oil pan (allow at least 10 minutes for all the oil to drain adequately). Tighten the drain plug to the oil pan with the socket wrench.
Step 4
Open the hood to access the engine compartment. Locate the oil filter cap at the front of the engine. It will be positioned directly in front of the oil-fill cap.
Step 5
Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench. Pull the oil filter out by the cap. Ensure you have a pan to catch the excess oil dripping from the filter. Pull the old filter off the end of the stick, using an old rag--this will prevent from making a mess.
Step 6
Insert a new filter onto the stick, pushing it in until it stops. Insert the filter/cap back into the oil filter housing. Screw the cap tight by hand.
Step 7
Unscrew the oil cap located directly behind the oil filter housing. Pour in seven quarts of engine oil. Pull out the engine oil dipstick located by the oil-fill cap. Wipe the dipstick clean. Insert the dipstick back in to the tube. Pull out and verify the level. The level should be between the "minimum" and the "maximum" marks on the dipstick. If the level is below either of the marks, add additional oil in half-quart intervals. Check the level each time you pour the oil.
Step 8
Start the car up and allow it to idle for five minutes. Turn the car off and let it sit for an additional five minutes. Check the oil level once more. Add more oil, if necessary.
Step 9
Log the number of miles driven and the date the oil change was completed. Reference this for the next oil change interval.
References
Tips
- Contact the local Mercedes Benz dealer for the recommended weight and type of engine oil. This may vary from region to region, due to weather and driving conditions.
- The Mercedes ML320 engine is designed to hold 7.5 quarts of engine oil.
Things You'll Need
- Socket wrench
- Socket set
- Drain pan
- Oil filter wrench
- 8 quarts of engine oil
- New oil filter
- Paper
- Pen
Warnings
- Contact your local recycling center or automotive-parts store for disposal of waste engine oil and old filter.
- Use caution when working under the car: Make sure that the parking brake is set and the vehicle is parked on a flat level surface.
Writer Bio
Gregory Crews has been in the film industry for three years and has appeared in more than 38 major motion pictures and 16 television shows. He also writes detailed automotive tutorials. His expertise in the automotive industry has given him the skills to write detailed technical instructional articles.
