The housing of a MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor often bears the marking “PBT-GF40”. Many customers mistakenly think this is a part number and search for terms like “air flow meter PBT-GF40” or “PBT-GF40 MAF”.
In reality, “PBT-GF40” is not a part number. It indicates the type of plastic used for the housing: Polybutylene Terephthalate with 40% glass fiber content. PBT-GF40 natural (6943) is a 40% glass fiber-reinforced PBT known for its high rigidity, toughness, dimensional stability, and chemical resistance.
This material is commonly used for MAF sensor housings in modern vehicles. You’ll find the marking on most MAF sensors from manufacturers like Bosch or VDO/Siemens, regardless of the car brand.
The actual OE (Original Equipment) part number, which identifies the correct MAF sensor, looks completely different:
MAF sensor housing marked PBT-GF40 Product link
PBT-GF30 and PBT-GF40 are standard plastics for sensor housings, so this designation appears on nearly all air flow meters from OEMs like Bosch, VDO/Continental, or Hella. It doesn’t matter whether the MAF is for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, or another brand. You can find a detailed datasheet here.
Which Number on the MAF is the OE Number?
- Bosch: OE numbers usually look like 0 280 21x xxx (e.g., 0 280 218 185)
MAF sensor for Mercedes-Benz replacing 0280218185 / Mercedes-Benz A1560900048
- VDO/Continental: Numbers follow the pattern 5WKxxxx (e.g., 5WK98101)
MAF sensor 5WK98101 / A 6450900048
- Newer Bosch MAFs start with 0 281 xxx, e.g., 0281002954 or 0281002955.
- BMW OE numbers typically start with 1362, e.g., 13627602038.
- Mercedes-Benz original numbers previously started with 000 094, e.g., 0000941048. For newer models, numbers can start with A2760, A61109, A65190, or A64590, among others.
MAF 0281002954 / 0281002955