How to Change the Oil in a 1997 Mercedes S320

1. Turn off your Mercedes and allow it to cool for five minutes. Wipe the oil dipstick and insert it into the tube for three seconds to test oil levels. Oil levels should be between the upper and lower marks on the dipstick. Remember to reserve at least a few hours for the oil change, and start the engine again.
2. Drive the car around to let the engine warm before parking it on flat, level ground. Set the parking brake and turn off the ignition. If needed, use a hydraulic pump settled on jackstands to fit under the car. Look for the drain plug, which is a large nut set close to the ground. It may be labeled.
3. Spread newspaper beneath the car and put a pail beneath the drain plug. Use a socket wrench to loosen the drain plug nut, but only enough to allow oil to slowly drain. Remove the plug and put it aside while you wait for the oil to drain. Remove socket from the socket wrench and fit with an oil filter socket.
4. Place the oil filter wrench over the oil filter and pull. The oil filter will be near the engine and resembles a canister. When it loosens, use your hands to pull it free. Pour the contents of the oil filter into the pail, and set the used oil filter aside. Open the Mercedes' hood and take out the oil filter cap. Put the new oil filter into place, tightening it with the oil filter wrench. Put the drain plug back into place.
5. Pour oil from the pail into the empty milk jugs using a funnel. Clean the funnel. Put the funnel into the oil filler hole, and pour in 7.4 quarts of oil. Put the oil cap back on after you have filled the engine with new oil, and use the dipstick to check oil levels again.
6. Turn on engine and search for leaks beneath the car. Go to an oil recycling center or a large car repair chain to recycle your used oil.