03' E320, a little help please

[Dave M]

Trying to figure out a couple of issues while I'm waiting for an owner's manual to arrive for a newly purchased '03 E320.

Does this car have two air filters as it appears? How do I get to them? I pulled off the front part of the engine shroud, but for for fear of breaking something, left the back part (where the air filters appear to live) in place. The car has brake dust covers. I don't think much of them. After I pull the wheels to remove them, what is the correct wheel torque when I re-install the road wheels? The engine on this car doesn't have a dipstick. Craziest idea I've ever heard. The engine oil is checked through the electronics (another crazy idea). There is a tube on the back left hand side (as viewed from front) of the engine bay which I would assume to be a transmission fluid check tube. But, it might be for engine oil. Can anybody help me with these questions? Thanks.

[Ethan]

1) www.mbusa.com has a feature called owners online, I use it but forget some details for use, but I know that I've downloaded my owners manual there.
Also has a feature to use as a diary for vehicle maintenance.

2) that rear red tab dipstick is for transmission fluid fill

2) actually not having an oil dipstick tube means you don't have to worry about a leak at the bottom tube junction - just trying to find something positive about it.

3) the plastic engine cover pops up by hand ( no tool to unfasten needed ) though to access the air elements need a torx or hex, I forget which. Some mechanics dab a slop of grease or plastic lubricant on the ball tabs that the air housing pops onto during refitting.

4) wheel lugnuts I am not certain for your car, but if you tighten to around 85 ft lb you can retighten once you get the correct number.

[Dave M]

Thanks, Ethan. I'll try the MBUSA site. As for the the other stuff, the rear dip stick tube on this car is black, and it's a stopper type plug, unlike the red cap you refer to (our '98 E320 had the red cover) and the engine cover on this car is two-piece with the front (smaller) piece fastened to the rear (larger) cover by some metal clips. I'm able to remove the front portion relatively easily. It's the rear part that seems pretty securely fastened. Again, on our '98, the engine cover was one piece and pretty easy to "pop" off of its mounts. In this engine bay, it looks like there are two air intakes, one on either side of the engine, both of which disappear under the engine cover. This car does not have the typical box where an air filter would be. Torque on the wheels sounds like a good idea, I thought it was a little less, and a diesel guy quoted 94 lbs when I ask this same question the other day on the wheel and tire part of this site. I thought that sounded a little high, but then, I'm new to this car so maybe he's right. Thanks again for responding.

[Ethan]

Yeah, your right, On my 2002 C240 there is a black plug topped tube, that allows one to use the suction method of withdrawling oil from the sump.
That is for engine oil. It is shown in the owners manual, that I downloaded.

I cannot remember if there is a trans dip stick tube back there or not.

On the 2002 the engine cover is two part, front cover covers power steering reservior, but the rear does pull up and it has the two intake tubes that get pulled from their anchor near the front cross brace. 2003 E class may be different.

Sorry about that