Is the screen on maf on my model not suppose to be there

Hi, this is Bo, an auto expert on RepairPal's Car Genius team! Ah, the mysterious case of the MAF sensor screen! On most Mass Air Flow sensors, including those for your C300, that little screen acts like a tiny bodyguard or a bouncer at a very exclusive club. Its job is to protect the delicate sensing elements inside from any larger bits of debris that might sneak past your air filter. Think of it as the first line of defense for a pretty sensitive piece of equipment. So, if that screen is "off" – meaning it's missing, broken, or detached – then no, that's generally not normal or ideal. Without its little protector, the MAF sensor is more vulnerable to getting gunked up or damaged, which can lead to all sorts of performance hiccups, like rough idling, poor acceleration, or even a check engine light throwing a party on your dashboard. If it's definitely missing or damaged, getting a new MAF sensor (as they're often a complete unit) is usually the way to go to keep your Mercedes breathing easy and accurately. If you need any further advice or want help finding a trusted RepairPal shop in your area, please feel free to call us at 877-913-1554