I just bought a 98 C230 with 58k miles. Can someone explain how FSS relates to service intervals and the same with A & B service. Is FSS an onboard system that determines when certain maintenece is needed and is it OK to overmaintain because my wife and I like this car!! I noticed the wrench symbol flashing when I start the car and it also says -1000. I changed the oil this weekend. piece of cake once I found a wrench that would work. I had to stuff a rag in it to keep it from slipping. I guess i will cancel the one I order from the dealer.

read your owners manual to find out how to reset the fss. if you do not have the owners manual, get one and read it.

-1000 means you where way overdue.

at 60k i would look at the maintence booklet. all fluids ( coolant,brake fluid,power steering, diffs and trany) all filters ( oil,fuel, power steering,tranny and cabin). i would recommend you take it to the dealer for a 60k. this will cost you LESS money in the long run. sounds like the previous owner was a slacker.

you must change the brake fluid every two years or you will spend thousands on brake repairs down the road.

you must change the coolant to keep the ph correct. only mb coolant will work. a high ph will cause a myraid of problems.

if you are going to work on the car and want to keep it, i would educate myself on the proper schedules and procedures. get the proper tools. the drain plug that you tightened with a rag stuffed in it might not be tightened properly. if it falls out it will put your wallet in a world of pain.

__________________
g-wagen

tryan,

I got the work orders from the dealer who performed all maintenance on the car. I can see when brakes were done. It doesn't specifically say changing brake fluid. Is this dealer prescribed fluid change intervals for the brakes or is it only those who know on Mercedesshop interval? I have a 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo that is my street car and I drive it at the track currently six days in the summer so I understand that break fluid absorbs moisture. It wasn't the drain plug i tightened with a rag, it was the oil filter cover that sits on top of the motor that I loosed with the filter wrench and rag. And I noted on the top of the cover that it said 23Nm with an arrow pointed clockwise which i assumed tighten to 23 newtons(?)

But what is the difference between A and B? Is it use A if you drive short distances in dusty locations????

How do you change the power steering fluid, and is there a filter for it?
Differential shouldn't be a problem.

tranny will take some research. From what I see here its is a sealed unit without a dip stick and new fluid requires it to be a certain temp and I apparently need to get the dipstick so I don't overfill.

Time for a Haynes manual.