Service Questions

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Sep 1, 2002 | 04:09 PM

BenzE

Thread Starter

Super Member

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 564

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From: New Jersey

2006 E500 4matic Wagon

Service Questions

My 2000 E430 4matic is alerting me that I have 1000 miles to B service. I have 54k miles on the car, and although I have the extended MB warranty to 100k miles, I realize my next FSS visit will not be covered.

If I decide to have the car worked on at someplace other than the MB Dealer, what should I expect?

The oil filter is a cartridge, right? Could any mechanic change the oil if supplied with the MB cartridge? And, what kind of oil should I use? I know synthetic is in there, but I have no idea what grade.

Also, what will happen to the service indicator warnings. Can anyone reset those?

I'm sure all of this stuff is posted already, but I'm away from home and on a 56k connection, so the searching was taking too long!

Please excuse me!

Sep 1, 2002 | 05:56 PM

Lynn

MBWorld Fanatic!

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 3,744

Likes: 1

Quote:

If I decide to have the car worked on at someplace other than the MB Dealer, what should I expect?

The quality of work is dependent upon the knowledge, experience, and integrity of the shop and technican. You might want to look for a shop that specializes in German cars. That is no guarantee of getting quality work, but it raises the odds that they have the knowledge and experience. On the other hand I know of an independent Porsche shop that is well known in this area, but there work is crap and at least one of the owners has served prison time for fraud.

Quote:

The oil filter is a cartridge, right? Could any mechanic change the oil if supplied with the MB cartridge? And, what kind of oil should I use? I know synthetic is in there, but I have no idea what grade.

The oil fister is a cartridge and any shade tree mechanic should be able to change it. As of June 2001 the approved oils are full synthetics from Mobil1, Castrol, Valvoline, Pennzoil, and Shell. All weights are suitable for high temperatures. 0W-XX and 5W-XX weights should be used for temps under -13°F. 10W-XX can be used for temps above -4°F. When my oil was changed, the dealer used 5W-30. This should be a good weight for New Jersey.

Quote:

Also, what will happen to the service indicator warnings. Can anyone reset those?

I don't know the answer to that.

Sep 1, 2002 | 07:12 PM

awiner

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 6,340

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From: Southern California, USA

2003 CL55 AMG

Re: Service Questions

Quote:

Originally posted by BenzE

Also, what will happen to the service indicator warnings. Can anyone reset those?

Yes, the FSS service reminders are eaisly reset. Read you manual for instructions.

Sep 2, 2002 | 07:04 PM

sosh

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Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 4,260

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From: Philadelphia area

2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2

With just a thousand miles to go to the service your dealer shoud do it for you now, before the warranty expires. My dealer did an A service for me at no charge 4000 miles early. They do have some discression in this matter.

Sep 7, 2002 | 02:54 AM

phungpho

Member

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 114

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From: California

2000 E430 Desert Silver

What grade ?

I suggest the Mobil1 0-40W. It doesn't matter where you live in (Phoenix or Montreal), how fast you drive or how many times you start up the engine (cold). The 0-40W is the best combination.

Sep 21, 2002 | 10:39 PM

afarrar

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Joined: Sep 2002

Posts: 9

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service

find an idependent shop that specializes in mercedes. they will be glad to do the service for you. the fss light can be reset easily, if the shop cant do it, they should try some other line of business.

use only full synthetic oil in your car, the service intervals can be quite long.

Sep 23, 2002 | 11:07 AM

Air Marshall Eldritch

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Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 9,815

Likes: 13

John Deere

I still use the dealer for oil changes. Do they put synthetic in '98 models by default or do I need to ask for it?

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Sep 23, 2002 | 03:55 PM

Darkmann

Super Member

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 864

Likes: 1

Re: Service Questions

Quote:

Originally posted by BenzE
My 2000 E430 4matic is alerting me that I have 1000 miles to B service. I have 54k miles on the car, and although I have the extended MB warranty to 100k miles, I realize my next FSS visit will not be covered.

If I decide to have the car worked on at someplace other than the MB Dealer, what should I expect?

The oil filter is a cartridge, right? Could any mechanic change the oil if supplied with the MB cartridge? And, what kind of oil should I use? I know synthetic is in there, but I have no idea what grade.

Also, what will happen to the service indicator warnings. Can anyone reset those?

I'm sure all of this stuff is posted already, but I'm away from home and on a 56k connection, so the searching was taking too long!

Please excuse me!

The Mobil 1 oil viscosity is 0W40. Any competent mechanic can do the job and the FSS can be reset by anyone, following instructions in the manual - if you don't have a manual, ask and I'll post steps for you. Keep in mind that the FSS B service call is not only for an oil change. If possible, check your last B service work order to determine what was done. Most of the stuff you can do by yourself. The The oil change is easy. Go to http://www.mercedesshop.com/diy_oil_change2.htm for details. The brakes are also quite easy to do. Check http://www.mercedesshop.com/e_class_brakejob.htm for that. Other than that, check fluids - 3yrs for coolant flush, 2 yrs replace break fluid, air filter, I don't recall but do it while doing oil change, spark plugs are at 100K. That's pretty much it. And BTW, why isn't the xtended warranty taking care of FSS called service? When I inquired about purchasing xtended for mine, I was told it'll cover everything the factory covers.

Last edited by Darkmann; Sep 23, 2002 at 04:03 PM.

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Oct 11, 2002 | 12:14 AM

DSMIT

Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 356

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From: VIRGINIA

1993 MERCEDES BENZ 300TE

YOU REALLY SHOULD TRY TO KEEP SERVICING AT YOU DEALER,,HE KNOWS THE CAR,HE LOOKS FOR ITEMS THAT COULD BE COVERED BY YOUR WARRENTY.
YOU DEALER KNOWS BEST,IF YOU HAVE A SERVICE ADVISOR YOU TRUST KEEP GOING TO HIM.
YOU CAN RESET THE FSS YOURSELF,,,ALTHOUGH THE DIRECTIONS IN OWNERS MANUAL DO NOT INCLUDE TO MAKE SURE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IS SHUT,,BE SURE TO DO THAT

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