2007–2016 Mercedes-Benz GL
By Ray Delgado ✓ Certified Mechanic · Published Sep 21, 2026 · Updated Oct 22, 2026
Save $72 by doing it yourself! Shop cost: $100
Quick answer: Cabin Air Filter Replacement on a 2007–2016 Mercedes-Benz GL is rated Easy and takes about 15-25 minutes. Parts cost about $28. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name | Part Number | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin air filters (pair) for 2007-2016 Mercedes-Benz GL; verify arrows, size, and VIN/trim fitment | — | $28.00 |
About prices: shown prices are typical retail averages and change frequently; cheaper alternatives may be available. Confirm the current price before buying.
💡 Pro tip: Order all parts at once to save on shipping
Follow these steps carefully
Park on level ground, ignition off, and check which GL you have: the 2007–2012 X164 (boxier front end) or the 2013–2016 X166 (rounder nose, LED running lights). And both use two stacked filters, not one, so order a pair.
Open the passenger door and slide the seat fully back. Empty the glove box completely — unlike many cars, the GL's glove box doesn't squeeze-drop on its hinges; it's screwed into the dash and must be unbolted, so expect a few more minutes.
Loosen the screws securing the glove compartment and lift the whole box out of the dash — track which screw came from where, since they differ in length. Set the glove box aside somewhere padded, not on the driveway.
Bag and label those glove-box screws — they differ in length, and a long screw in a short hole will crack the plastic boss. Ask me how I know.
With the glove box out, you're looking at the filter chamber cover — it unclips by hand. This is the same housing Mercedes used on the W164 M-Class and W251 R-Class of the era, so it'll look familiar if you've done one of those.
Pull the first filter straight out of the chamber — then the X164's party trick: the second filter slides down into the opening on its own, so reach in and pull it out too. Note the airflow arrows on both before discarding them.
Slide the two new filters in one at a time, matching the old airflow arrows. Refit the chamber cover until it clips flush, then set the glove box back and reinstall its screws — snug, not gorilla-tight, or you'll crack the plastic screw bosses.
My rule: I snug means snug on those glove-box screws — the plastic bosses crack if you lean on the driver. If a screw spins freely, the boss is already gone; back it out and live with one fewer.
Start the car and run the blower through every speed: airflow should be strong and even from all vents. If it is still weak, one of the two filters is likely mis-seated. X166 owners (2013–2016): your truck keeps the same stacked two-filter arrangement behind the glove box, but the cover fasteners and access differ from the X164 — confirm the procedure in your owner's manual before starting, and be aware the related W166 platform also carries a separate fresh-air filter under the hood.
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
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