caigy

Hi-
Any MB tech guys (or CLK owners) have any advice on when to service a low-mileage 2004 CLK Cabriolet (209)? I took delivery last October, didn't use it during the winter (New Jersey), and have been using it pretty much every day since April- mostly highway driving about 26 miles roundtrip per day. So I have only 4600 miles on the car. I haven't had any problems with the car.

I will drive the car until November, and then will not use it during the winter. But it's unlikely that the service indicator will come on since the car will probably only have 6500 miles or so on it by November. I don't think it's wise to go 1 1/2 or 2 years on the original factory oil fill, so I'm wonderng what I should ask my dealer to do before I put the car away for the winter. And what about tire rotation?

Thanks,
Jason

GDawgC220

If you are going to be storing it for the winter, definitely have the oil changed out so it's fresh going in.

At least change the oil once a year, so like do it right before going into storage would be a good point. The service indicator should count down when a year is almost up if it hasn't been serviced...

sosh

The FSS in addition to mileage works on calender time. It will begin to count down days to the service due. I believe but am not certain that its a year and a half or so. However I would consider having the oil changed prior to storage to eliminate the possibility of any corrosion from the acids that accumulate during engine operation.

Kar don

I have a friend with an 02 E430, it has 4700 miles. FSS indicator never came on, still says like 8000 miles till service... no countdown. Our C320 was not serviced for over a year from delivery as well... no time countdown.

GDawgC220

must be broken

mleskovar

I believe it is two years.

saturnstyl

The time countdown is there, it just doesn't show until about 30 days till its due by time. You can't access the time remaining through any normal means either, unless its within that window that it displays "Service due in XX days"
Let it go long enough, and it will come up that way.

Hal H

I'm not exactly sure about the W209 schedule (the potential maximum FSS intervals are little bit shorter than the earlier years). Time will count down the service interval when the car isn't used.

Check battery electrolyte levels (plates will go bad if not completely submerged in acid) - if possible, don't lock car using the remote (use metal key) - the alarm will drain battery. If that isn't possible, a battery tender would be a good idea to avoid a dead battery.

Inflate the tires about 5 psi above recommended - check tire pressure at least monthly to maintain this / avoid flat spots on tires.

I would let the fuel level run low - the gas will lose its anti-knock properties (octane level) and when you're back to driving the car again, you can gas up with fresh fuel again.

Every two years is brake fluid flush

Every three years is coolant change

stealthe430

Hal, I forgot all about the tires and gas. I don't drive mine for two to three months at a time and thats only on the weekends. Very helpful info. Thanks

caigy

Thanks to all of you for your advice. I'm definitely going to at least have the oil changed before the winter. I will probably inquire about tire rotation, too.

Jason