What does A3 service entail
 

Hey guys,

I recently purchased an 08 C300 4Matic sport, and the A3 service is coming up within the next 15 days. I have done a little bit of research, and it seems that the B service's entail the major maintenance. But i am not seeing much on what exactly the A3 service includes. Have any of your recently had this service performed and recall what was completed, or what i should be expecting?

Thanks,
Ben

Technically is just an oil change.

i called my SA and he quoted me 340 for the A3 serv. he also said it was a minor service. so i searched and it seems like it's only a oil change so I ordered the mityvac, oil filter, oil filter cap for the wrench, and bought oil at walmart and just did myself an oil change. came out way less than 320. Oil change on the mercedes has got to be one of the easiest jobs I've done. I've decided I'll just do the minor services and take my car to the dealership for the major ones.

I've done the same thing. I also found out that the dealer from my first oil change overfilled my resevoir big time. 4 Matic only take 7.4 qt, I sucked out near 8.5 qts. I didn't need a oil filter cap wrench, I just did it by hand, took a bit of grunt work though. Did you buy the 0w-40 Mobil 1 oil? Also, I hope you used a fleece filter.

yes I did use 0W40 mobil 1. I also ordered the Mann fleece filter from amazon. It looks just like the stock one and comes iwth the rubber rings. I tried removing the oil filter with hand I could not get it to open up. But weird thing with me is on my c350, I only sucked out a little bit more than 7 qts. I think I'm starting to distrust dealerships more and more with even basic services. I always knew they were a ripoff, but I thought since mercedes is a luxury brand that they would at least do a good job after charging so much. I'm going to have to rely more on myself from now.

Thanks for the fast responses! The dealer i bought the car from told me that the oil was recently changed on the vehicle, and advised me to perform oil changes every 5k miles. It looks like i can bypass this service, as i still have a few thousand before i hit that 5k mark.

Thanks,
Ben

The 5,000 mile oil and filter service recommendation seems to point to cheap oil and/or paper filter being used. If so, loose that dealer.

A3 service also depends on whether it's being done by mileage, or by time. It may so entail a brake fluid replacement, or tranny fluid flush, etc. The best thing is to sit down with the service history and the maintenance schedule, and figure out what it will entail above and beyond the A routine.

Cheers, JV :zoom::zoom::zoom:

Go to MBUSA and locate the service manual for your new ride if you don't have the one that came with the car http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servic...enance_manuals. If using Mobil 1 full synthetic oil and a fleece filter you can go 13K miles between oil changes/service. If your dealer says every 5K and they are using Mobil 1/fleec filter then they are just trying to take your $$$.

So is Mobil 1 synthetic 0w40 the best year round oil to use?

Since I can find no decent explanation about A/B service (i.e. not in my Owner's Manual), I go by what service MB says is required based on mileage in the guide.

Are you sure it doesn't take 8.5 quarts? Thats what its listed under in the auto parts store. I put in 8 quarts today and have a perfect measure on my dipstick.

Is this still the case? I know my 08 they call for 13K miles, but I heard that they back tracked on this on later models and it's now more like 10K. is that true?
RP

service a3 message
 

How does the message on the dash get reset? :nix:

When synthetic oil was first available, they hyped oil change after 15000 miles. I think dealer service saw a decline in oil changes and got the car companies to increase recommended changes.
Mercedes store in Palm Desert CA quoted $269.95 for A3 service.