2016 E350 - A3 Service Indicator
05-11-2020, 02:13 PM
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2016 E350
2016 E350 - A3 Service Indicator
I have a 2016 E350 with approximately 13,xxx miles that just threw a 'A3 Service Indicator'. Is this really just an oil change that would cost $350 at a dealer?
What does that mean and should I get the prepaid maintenance plan if I plan on keeping the car for more than 3-4 years? A friend is telling me it is just an oil change and cabin filter replacement.
Any help would be appreciated.
What does that mean and should I get the prepaid maintenance plan if I plan on keeping the car for more than 3-4 years? A friend is telling me it is just an oil change and cabin filter replacement.
Any help would be appreciated.
05-11-2020, 03:52 PM
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
Your friend is correct: The first 10,000 mile service, "A" is basically an oil change with filter. The 20,000 mile "B" is oil change and filter, brake fluid change and cabin filter change.
I do maintenance by mileage: other on this Board do it by time - once a year: My thinking is that with synthetic oil, mileage is more important than time. Certainly the cabin filter is a function of miles driven and not time and I believe the same with brake fluid.
There are numerous post on this Board which spell out what is done at each service interval - or just look at your owner's manual.
My dealer, and most dealers run specials, so buying the prepaid maintenance is usually not a very efficient use of your money.
For example my dealer runs specials for the "A" service, 10,000 miles for $199.
As your car is out of warranty, you can always use an independent shop, and ask him/her to follow the recommended service from your manual which should save a lot of money.
Hope this helps.
I do maintenance by mileage: other on this Board do it by time - once a year: My thinking is that with synthetic oil, mileage is more important than time. Certainly the cabin filter is a function of miles driven and not time and I believe the same with brake fluid.
There are numerous post on this Board which spell out what is done at each service interval - or just look at your owner's manual.
My dealer, and most dealers run specials, so buying the prepaid maintenance is usually not a very efficient use of your money.
For example my dealer runs specials for the "A" service, 10,000 miles for $199.
As your car is out of warranty, you can always use an independent shop, and ask him/her to follow the recommended service from your manual which should save a lot of money.
Hope this helps.
05-15-2020, 09:32 AM
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2016 E350
Your friend is correct: The first 10,000 mile service, "A" is basically an oil change with filter. The 20,000 mile "B" is oil change and filter, brake fluid change and cabin filter change.
I do maintenance by mileage: other on this Board do it by time - once a year: My thinking is that with synthetic oil, mileage is more important than time. Certainly the cabin filter is a function of miles driven and not time and I believe the same with brake fluid.
There are numerous post on this Board which spell out what is done at each service interval - or just look at your owner's manual.
My dealer, and most dealers run specials, so buying the prepaid maintenance is usually not a very efficient use of your money.
For example my dealer runs specials for the "A" service, 10,000 miles for $199.
As your car is out of warranty, you can always use an independent shop, and ask him/her to follow the recommended service from your manual which should save a lot of money.
Hope this helps.
I do maintenance by mileage: other on this Board do it by time - once a year: My thinking is that with synthetic oil, mileage is more important than time. Certainly the cabin filter is a function of miles driven and not time and I believe the same with brake fluid.
There are numerous post on this Board which spell out what is done at each service interval - or just look at your owner's manual.
My dealer, and most dealers run specials, so buying the prepaid maintenance is usually not a very efficient use of your money.
For example my dealer runs specials for the "A" service, 10,000 miles for $199.
As your car is out of warranty, you can always use an independent shop, and ask him/her to follow the recommended service from your manual which should save a lot of money.
Hope this helps.
05-15-2020, 10:11 AM
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2019 E 450, 2016 E350 4matic (retired), 2018 Ford Edge Sport, 2008 Porsche Boxster
The A and B services are very specific as to what they cover and what they do not cover. For example tire rotation is extra. Most dealers will change the wiper blades at no charge but others have posted they were charged, $129. I lease for three years, 30,000 miles: so I do not know about transmissions flushes.
