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My MY2018 Owner's Manual has no spark plug change interval information. I was able to find online a Mercedes generalized maintenance schedule across models and 60K miles was the cited replacement interval. Sparkplugs operate for longer than we typically expect. But having said that they should be inspected earlier with 20K or 30K service interval being typical.
My MY2018 Owner's Manual has no spark plug change interval information. I was able to find online a Mercedes generalized maintenance schedule across models and 60K miles was the cited replacement interval. Sparkplugs operate for longer than we typically expect. But having said that they should be inspected earlier with 20K or 30K service interval being typical.
That's surprising. Typically most owners manuals list the service interval recommendations towards the back of the manual.
It does, [under "Service Products and Filling Capacities"] for all fluids etc, but not for spark plugs.
Here's a 2016 Maintenance Booklet I found online that describes the 'A' & 'B' service with intervals across a number of models including CLA and GLA and an excerpt for CLA/GLA spark plugs at 50K miles (GLA45 @ 40K):
Originally Posted by 190Efan
That's surprising. Typically most owners manuals list the service interval recommendations towards the back of the manual.
Interesting. My ancient MB (1991) and non MB (2019) owner's manuals address it. I guess you do learn something new every day. Thanks Huey52 for posting what you were able to find. That'll be very helpful for GLA owners.
I think these days Benz just wants us to to be annually (or sooner) alerted by the vehicle itself as to when a service A or B is due. The owner's manual does elaborate on this "auto alert" function.
As we know Benz somewhat over-maintains by these services, but did so I believe as a reaction to a down turn in industry maintenance ratings circa 2006. By forcing these to a degree they are back to much higher ratings.
My wife is of the mindset that "the car will tell me ..." so I guess it's working (I'm old school tho' and don't take the vehicle's word for it.).
I think these days Benz just wants us to to be annually (or sooner) alerted by the vehicle itself as to when a service A or B is due. The owner's manual does elaborate on this "auto alert" function.
As we know Benz somewhat over-maintains by these services, but did so I believe as a reaction to a down turn in industry maintenance ratings circa 2006. By forcing these to a degree they are back to much higher ratings.
My wife is of the mindset that "the car will tell me ..." so I guess it's working (I'm old school tho' and don't take the vehicle's word for it.).
You're welcome. You may well be right about the current MB service regimen. I was raised by an engineer so proper car maintenance was called survival at my house.
Of course the downside is Benz has a reputation for being "expensive to own and maintain." Can't win!
My engineer father always taught me that good preventive maintenance is much less expensive in the long term rather than wait until an issue gets so bad that it requires fixing. Waiting until that point is far more expensive. Given how complex the new MBs are now, good preventive maintenance will be crucial to keeping them on the road.
Engineer myself so I well empathize with your father's wise guidance. Preventive Maintenance (PM) is especially focused upon, as you might expect, by the US military. As my Marine Basic School commander said (after a particularly muddy forced march): "Take care of your equipment before yourself. You can take it, your equipment can't."
btw: My current Xbox Forza virtual car is a 190E. Coincidence? Also one of my favorite Wheeler Dealer episodes (Cosworth 190E).
We now return you to your regular programming ....
Engineer myself so I well empathize with your father's wise guidance. Preventive Maintenance (PM) is especially focused upon, as you might expect, by the US military. As my Marine Basic School commander said (after a particularly muddy forced march): "Take care of your equipment before yourself. You can take it, your equipment can't."
btw: My current Xbox Forza virtual car is a 190E. Coincidence? Also one of my favorite Wheeler Dealer episodes (Cosworth 190E).
We now return you to your regular programming ....
Last of my OT cooments. My father was Air Force pilot and bomb group commander. Curious, what year was the Wheeler Dear W201 16v episode?
Spark Plug change is recommended every 50K. My 2018 GLA is overdue at 54K for it's 50K A service. I just called service, spark plug replacement is approx $500. I think I will wait for my check engine light to come on, or just a lose of power to tell me to replace the spark plug. I had the 2016 GLA250, bought brand new, and on the way home from the dealer, spark plug failure, lose of power, but that was deff covered under new car, fix me ASAP, 10 miles on the car!! Whaaat!!!
Wait for the vehicle to fail before you service it???!!! Heck, just change the 'plugs yourself. It's an easy enough job and the 'plugs are relatively inexpensive when self-procured. Just be sure to use the exact 'plugs that Benz specifies as I've had negative experiences in the past using similar-to 'plugs that were online touted as applicable.
Originally Posted by LTK
Spark Plug change is recommended every 50K. My 2018 GLA is overdue at 54K for it's 50K A service. I just called service, spark plug replacement is approx $500. I think I will wait for my check engine light to come on, or just a lose [loss] of power to tell me to replace the spark plug. I had the 2016 GLA250, bought brand new, and on the way home from the dealer, spark plug failure, lose of power, but that was deff covered under new car, fix me ASAP, 10 miles on the car!! Whaaat!!!
The original factory spark plugs are rated till 75K, I'm not doing the plug replacement myself. Sometimes that is not an option for folks. The car runs perfectly, I am sure it will be easy to tell right away when they seem to be failing. I had bought a new 2016 GLA, after picking it up, 2 miles down the road from the dealer, the loss of power was noticeable. I had to turn around, was worried I bought a lemon, they replaced the spark plugs, and the car was fine. I think this 2018 is much better, and I will wait a bit for the 500 plug change.
Not changing your spark plugs at the recommended servicing is not very smart. The MB engineers have their reasons for setting the recommended service intervals. Waiting until your car exhibits symptoms is a really bad idea and can also lead to additional issues caused by your failure to keep up with the maintenance schedule. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule will keep your car in top running order and will wind up saving you money in the long run because any issues were addressed early before they became major and expensive issues. Not keeping up with the regular service intervals could also possibly void your manufacturer's warranty. which would be an additional costly mistake.
I moderate another Benz forum so it's ingrained in me to take it easy in such responses, but thanks for well articulating what I was thinking.
Originally Posted by 190Efan
Not changing your spark plugs at the recommended servicing is not very smart. The MB engineers have their reasons for setting the recommended service intervals. Waiting until your car exhibits symptoms is a really bad idea and can also lead to additional issues caused by your failure to keep up with the maintenance schedule. Keeping up with the maintenance schedule will keep your car in top running order and will wind up saving you money in the long run because any issues were addressed early before they became major and expensive issues. Not keeping up with the regular service intervals could also possibly void your manufacturer's warranty. which would be an additional costly mistake.
E Coupe C207, ML W166, ML W164, Sprinter 1500/144, W111 SB220 Fintail(s), A5 chassis Beetle 5+5
I just installed the NGK Rutherium plugs in my ML 350, they work great. I dunno if they have them for GLA, but you can check Rock Auto. I did mine at 60k and it was a good idea.
I wouldn't bother before 40k-50k
01-31-2021, 06:54 AM
Also one of my favorite Wheeler Dealer episodes (Cosworth 190E). 
