The Mercedes Benz Sprinter van is a reliable workhorse, but like any diesel engine, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Changing the oil regularly is a simple maintenance task that is incredibly important.
We recorded a short, comprehensive video showing how to easily DIY your Mercedes Sprinter oil change. The entire process took us less than 30 minutes and saved us hundreds of dollars!
Please note that these instructions are for an automatic diesel engine in a Mercedes Sprinter 2009 and newer. If you have a gas van, a different make, or a different transmission we recommend consulting your owners manual or dealer for oil change instructions.
When To Change Oil in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter?
Most experts recommend changing your oil every 20,000 miles (32,000 km), but there are other factors that may require you to change your oil more frequently.
If you do a lot of stop-and-go driving or short trips, you may decide to change your oil more often. The same goes for driving in extreme temperatures, towing, or hauling heavy loads.
Older models or higher-mileage vehicles, like our 2010 van with over 150,000 miles, may require changing oil more frequently. Since we were driving our van across the country and it was quite heavy with the camper conversion, we decided to err on the side of caution and change our oil every 15,000 miles (24,000 km).
If you’re not sure when to change your oil, do it more often rather than less. This was our rule of thumb since we wanted to keep our home on wheels running as efficiently as possible. Keep in mind that doing a regular oil change can help improve your fuel economy and give you peace of mind on the road.
Dealership vs. DIY
Changing oil is a pretty simple task that anyone can do with a little know-how. All you need is a few tools and supplies that you can find at any auto parts store.
Plus, it’s significantly cheaper to do it yourself. A dealership will charge you through the nose to change your oil, so we saved $300-$600 each time we changed our oil ourselves. Considering it only took 30 minutes, that means we made (ok, saved, but still!) over $600 an hour by changing our own oil.
If you’d rather not get your hands dirty, you can always take it to a dealership. Just expect to pay a premium, because Mercedes dealers are not cheap. You may think it’s worth getting some quotes from general mechanics to compare prices, but we don’t recommend getting any service done at any location that isn’t a Mercedes authorized mechanic (such as the Mercedes dealership). This is because you want to ensure that the mechanic you go to uses the correct oil for your engine.
Doing it yourself: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- It’s waaaaay cheaper than taking it to a dealership or mechanic
- You can do it on your own schedule, without having to make an appointment
- It’s a pretty simple task that anyone can learn how to do
Cons:
- You have to buy your own supplies (which you then need to store or dispose of)
- It takes a little time to do it yourself (but not much)
- Disposing of the oil properly can be difficult, and there’s a lot of it to get rid of
Taking it to a dealership or mechanic: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- They will dispose of your used oil for you
- They have all the supplies and tools needed
- It’s one less thing for you to worry about & you’ll know it’s done right
Cons:
- It’s significantly more expensive than doing it yourself
- You have to make an appointment and take time out of your day to wait for the service to be done
- You may have to drive a significant distance to the nearest dealership if you are in a remote location
Service A vs. Service B
When getting your Sprinter van serviced, Service A and Service B refer to the service interval recommended by Mercedes Benz.
Service A is the simpler of the two and is recommended every 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.
Service A includes:
- Oil change + filter replacement
- Fuel filter replacement
- Comprehensive brake and tire inspection
Service B is more comprehensive, and is recommended every 20,000 miles or two years.
In addition to what Service A includes, Service B includes:
- Cabin air dust/combo filter replacement
- Brake fluid exchange
Getting Service A or B done on your Sprinter van will cost you even more than just getting a standard oil change, but it is important to perform all of these maintenance tasks on your vehicle at the recommended intervals.
Best Oil for Mercedes Benz Sprinter Oil Change
The type of oil you use in your Sprinter is just as important as how often you change it. Mercedes recommends using synthetic motor oil that meets or exceeds the MB 229.51 specification.
You can find the recommended oil type and viscosity in your owner’s manual or by asking your dealership. If you use the wrong oil, it can damage your engine, which can affect its performance and cost you money in the long run. So it’s important to be sure you’re using the right type of oil for your Sprinter.
Types of Oil
- Conventional oil: Conventional oil is the cheapest option among the oils you’ll see on the shelf. It is usually fine for most vehicles, but it should not be used in a Sprinter van oil change.
- Synthetic oil: Synthetic oil costs more because it is higher quality. Due to special additives, it lasts longer and can better withstand high temperatures.
Our recommendation:
We found Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30 was the only oil carried in auto parts stores around the United States and online (that we could reliably find 14 quarts of) that met Mercedes’ specifications. Unfortunately, it’s not typically sold in 5-quart containers.
You should use synthetic oil in your Mercedes Sprinter van that meets the specifications Mercedes outlines in the owner’s manual. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind of knowing that your engine is well-lubricated.
Sprinter Van Oil Change Supplies
This is a list of everything you’ll need in your oil change kit to get started changing the oil in your vehicle:
- Oil (Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30) – This is the only oil we could find reliably in stores around the US that meets the MB specification.
- Oil Filter – You’ll need a new filter each time you change your oil.
- Oil Filter Wrench (84mm 14 flute) – Keep this wrench around, it’s the only easy way to get the filter cap off and on.
- Dental tool set (small hook needed for gaskets) – O-rings and seals can be incredibly difficult to remove with your fingers, which is where these tools come in handy.
- Oil Collection Pan – Since a Sprinter engine takes 13.2 quarts of oil, make sure you get a pan with at least a 15 quart capacity.
- Funnel – A funnel comes in handy when you need to pour over a dozen quarts of oil in your engine without making a mess.
- Ratchet – A good ratchet is a must-have tool in your tool-kit.
- Ratchet Extension – Having a ratchet extension will make it easier to reach some bolts.
- Wrenches – You’ll need a 13mm wrench to remove the drain plug.
- Hammer – Useful for knocking a wrench when your drain plug or a bolt is particularly stubborn.
- Screwdriver – A screwdriver will help you remove some pieces that are in the way of the oil filter.
- Shop towels – Shop towels are more absorbent than regular towels and great for cleaning up spilled oil.
Step-By-Step: How To Change the Oil in a Sprinter Van
Step 1
Make sure to park your Sprinter in a safe place and on a level surface and turn off the engine. Let it cool for at least an hour so the oil isn’t too hot.
Step 2
The oil drain is underneath the van. Place the oil drain pan under the engine and remove the oil drain plug using a 13mm wrench. Allow the oil to drain completely, then replace the drain plug and tighten it fully.
Pro Tips:
- Sometimes the drain plug bolt is on there pretty tight, so you may need to tap your wrench with a hammer.
- Diesel oil will stain whatever it comes in contact with, so make sure to lay down a tarp or cardboard, wear gloves and old clothes, and clean spills as soon as they happen.
Step 3
Once the old oil has drained, it’s time to replace the oil filter. To access the oil filter, you’ll need to pop the hood, remove the air filter housing, then use a flat screwdriver to loosen the hose clamp and remove the flexible intake valves to reveal access to the oil filter cover. Unscrew the oil filter cover with the 84mm 14 flute oil filter wrench.
Pro Tip:
- The filter will be covered with oil so be careful when removing it. Try using an oil pan to move it to where you plan to work on swapping the filter.
Step 4
Place the new filter in the cap and screw it back in.
Step 5
Reattach all the parts you removed to access the oil filter.
Step 6
Now, the most time consuming part: adding in new oil. A diesel Sprinter engine will take about 13.2 quarts of oil, so buy 14 quarts to be safe.
Unscrew the oil cap (under the hood, with an oil can symbol) and place the funnel inside.
When you open the new quarts of oil, you may note that the new oil is much clearer than the oil you’re replacing, which is dark due to the dirt it’s picked up during it’s time in your engine. This is why you need to regularly replace your oil.
Pour each quart of oil in until you have put 13 quarts of oil in. Check the oil dipstick, and keep adding in small amounts at a time until the oil level is all the way at the full line on the dipstick.
Don’t forget to update your vehicle maintenance log with today’s date and mileage so you’ll remember when it’s time to service your van again.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to change your own engine oil is a valuable life skill, especially when you’re living out of a Sprinter van and need to change your oil while you’re on the road. During our van adventures, we had to change our oil a handful of times, and doing it ourselves ultimately saved us time and money.
While it can be intimidating to learn how do do your own oil changes, it can be a financially responsible choice. You can learn how to service your van on our own, but you also have the option of stopping at a Mercedes Benz dealer whenever you need help.
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments on our YouTube video and we’ll be sure to answer them.
