Quick answer: Change Oil on a 2016–2019 Mercedes-Benz GLE is rated Moderate and takes about 1 hour. You'll need 9 tools for this job, and parts cost about $70. This guide walks you through the full job step by step, including the mistakes to avoid.
| Part Name |
Part Number |
Price |
Buy |
| Engine Oil (7.4 quarts, 7.0 liters) |
— |
$50.00 |
|
| Oil filter cartridge element kit (with O-rings) |
2761800009 |
$15.00 |
|
| Drain Plug Washer |
A 271 997 00 82 |
$5.00 |
|
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
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps carefully
1
Prepare (MB 229.5, 7.4 qt!)
The 2016–2019 GLE 350 (W166, 3.5L V6 M276) takes MB 229.5-spec 0W-40 or 5W-40. Capacity: 7.0 litres (7.4 quarts) with filter. You'll need MB 229.5-approved oil (buy 8 quarts) and the cartridge filter MB A 276 180 00 09 (74mm 14-flute wrench).
🔧 Mechanic's note — Tom Becker
I've found that 229.5 versus 229.51 is the whole ballgame on this engine — one is gasoline, one is diesel, and the bottles look nearly identical on the shelf. Read the back label, not the front.
2
Drain the Old Oil
Position the drain pan and remove the drain plug — let the old oil drain (expect ~7.4 quarts; make sure your pan holds 8+ quarts). On reinstall, the drain plug torque is 30 N·m (22 ft-lbs) — DIY-sourced, so verify in WIS.
3
Replace Cartridge (74mm wrench!)
Remove the cartridge filter housing with the 74mm 14-flute wrench. The GLE 350's cartridge is MB A 276 180 00 09 — replace the element and the housing O-rings. Housing torque: 25.5 N·m — DIY-sourced, so verify in service data.
4
Reinstall Drain Plug (verify 30 N·m!)
Reinstall the drain plug and torque it to 30 N·m (22 ft-lbs) — DIY-sourced from a video, so verify in WIS before trusting it. The aluminum pan strips easily, so use a torque wrench and don't guess.
🔧 Mechanic's note — Ray Delgado
In my experience, those torque numbers came from a YouTube video, not the factory manual — verify them in WIS before you trust your aluminum oil pan to them. Stripped pan threads are a nightmare.
5
Add 7.4 Quarts (MB 229.5!)
Add 7.4 quarts (7.0L) of MB 229.5-approved 0W-40 or 5W-40 through the filler cap — ONLY MB 229.5, not 229.51/52 (diesel), not generic Euro. Verify the 229.5 approval on the bottle. Don't underfill the 7.0L sump. Check the dipstick (or electronic level) after filling.
6
Check Level, Leaks, Reset
Start the engine and check for leaks at the drain plug and filter housing. Recheck the oil level and reset the service indicator. The torque values in this guide are DIY-sourced — verify them in WIS.
All Done!
Test your repair before closing everything up. If something doesn't work right, double-check your steps.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- • Not using the correct oil type and viscosity
- • Over-tightening the drain plug or oil filter
- • Failing to replace the drain plug washer, leading to leaks
