On a new MB E320...

If I change my oil every 5-6 thousand miles, because I want to, and the FSS system keeps pushing the time between oil changes higher and higher, I figure that I will not get my "free" service A from an MB dealer.

This is from a weekend big city (NYC) driver.

Any comments?

Thanks!

 

I don't believe that Changing your own oil will reset the FSS.

 

But, because it monitors the oil, it knows that new oil is in the car. This increases the Service change intervals.

Try it: Make not of the current Miles to go before service. Change the oil. Drive for a couple of miles, and see if the miles to go increases.

Maybe it is my car --

 

Theoretically the FSS will increase when you change the oil between suggested services but as a practical issue it won't push it up that much and it will not reset itself. Your A and B services should be free at a dealers during the entire warranty period.

 

Had the same dilemma with my E320; it's a year and a half old with 1940 miles on it. Had it scheduled for the $90 dealer oil change; just before I actually took it in the FSS came on for the A service; it schedules the service intervals based on mileage and length of time. I lucked out and Mercedes-Benz then paid for the service.

Overall though, I'm willing to pay for the service rather than wait the 10,000 mile mark each time.

 

I changed the oil myself and had the same question. My dealer, however, indicated I was entitled to four free oil changes and could have it done approximately every 10k mi. regardless of the FSS display.

 

Changing the oil will not reset the FSS. However, it will readjust the FSS. My car had the first schedule A service after 20 months (the car only had about 7K miles). During the first 20 months, I changed the oil 3 times, almost every 6 months. Each time, with the new oil, the FSS was readjusted by about + .5K miles. For example: before oil change, FSS indicated 9K. After oil change, FSS indicated 9.5K. Not a lot
I change the oil every 6 months or 6K miles and I do it by myself. Of course, I use Mobil1 0W-40

 

Like people said here FSS will increase the range back again, depending on your FSS, I changed the oil on my car after 10k miles, about 8 months (it still said 4200 miles for the next service), FSS changed to 5800 miles, I had the dealer perform the service when the FSS read 2200 miles because of the fact that FSS cannot be reset, which it sucks IMO. We should be able to do oil changes wherever we want and be able to reset the FSS ourselves.

I paid 385 bucks for the service at the dealer, they didn't even replace the air filters, but they did replace the wiper blade, which BTW was in excellent condition. I just can't justify 385 bucks for oil change and check fluids and reset ECU.

 

Dude, that is hella expensive for an oil change. I normally only pay $70 (I bring my own oil) or $100 if they supply. I know I6 vs V8 but still.......

 

Page 116 (2001 E320 manual) shows you the simple steps to reset the Flexible Service System after you have changed the oil. It resets the counter back to 10,000 miles and 365 days.

 

WOW :o the things you discover when you read your manual :o Page 98 on my car explains the reset process for the FSS