Flex Service Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SHARK1007 · #1 03-21-2004, 07:42 PM

I just bought a 98 S420 with books rand records. It has been seviced, A service at 13K, B at 25K, B at 51K and B at 65K.

Total miles 74K and they used 15/50 from he records.

I'm inclined to go to a 3 to 5K oil change interval instead of Flex Serv.

What say the pro's??

joe p · #2 03-21-2004, 07:47 PM

I've not had any problems with a 7500 interval and then letting the FSS run out. The oil level/quality sensor will make some adjustments to time or mileage.

If your tech has SDS he can tell IC that only a oil change was done and FSS will reset accordingly. Howeer, you'll be getting 20K or so out of a airfilter.

Joe

SHARK1007 · #3 03-21-2004, 08:46 PM

Thanks, I'm gonna go with the lesser interval. Waiting so long gives me the creeps!

blackmercedes · #4 03-21-2004, 09:07 PM

Here's how I do the FSS:

I use the FSS countdown mileage system, changing the oil and filter every time the FSS counts down 5000kms (3K-miles). With my driving style, I end up changing the oil every 7500kms (4500miles) or so, since I get better than 1:1 from the FSS.

Then, when it counts down to "0" I do: (about every 20,000kms or 12,500 miles)

Change the engine air filter.
Change the Cabin Dust Filter.
Change the oil/filter.
Check the brake pads and rotors.
Check the poly-v-belt and all hoses.
Check flex discs and final drive for leaks
Check coolant strength and level
Generally pour over the car checking for anything looking worn or out-of-place.

Every other spring I change the brake fluid and coolant, ala old style MB requirements. I change the spark plugs every 50K (30K-miles) which is more often than MB calls for (72K). I change the fuel filter every 60K (instead of 96K) and the tranny is serviced every 100K-km's. The final drive oil is changed every 80-90K-km's.

So far, so good. My car is in tip-top shape and runs better than new (better fuel economy).

Mike Murrell · #5 03-21-2004, 09:38 PM

I think it's sad that we now have computers telling us when to do something we've always done ourselves.

As far as I'm concerned, FSS or whatever it's called is nothing more than a bunch of marketing crap put together for the masses who don't want to spend money on maint.

FSS or not, I'd change the oil & filter every 3,000.

Screw the computer.

Kestas · #6 03-21-2004, 09:53 PM

It's sad, but now we're forced to design cars that tell the driver when service is needed.

What bothers me is that this technology is expensive, tricky, and complicated, and what's worse -- this technology is rammed down the throats of people like us in this forum who don't need computers telling us when to change the oil or check the tire pressure!!

I actually argued this point with another engineer at work who doesn't believe that the owner/driver should be proactive with maintenance on his car.

Yet we still can't design a car that will keep the driver from overheating the engine, thus causing thousands of dollars in engine damage. This event usually spells death for any car to which it occurs.

SHARK1007 · #7 03-22-2004, 08:10 AM

Thanks for the input. I'm a little rebellious and resist doing what a computer tells me to do anyway. Perhaps that's whay I've divorced twice.

I'll change the oil when I think it's right and let the computer relax a little.

#8 03-22-2004, 09:38 AM

The FSS actually does a reasonably good job of determining when oil and filter should be changed but only corresponds with the use of SYNTHETIC oil. MB even issued a 150,000 mile extended engine warranty to anyone who was following the FSS and using Dino oil.

So, you can use Dino oil and change it often, or use Mobil One or equivalent and change when the FSS says so. It really does work.

All that said, I'm personally a belt and suspenders type guy. I use Mobil One AND I change oil and filter between the FSS recommendation, so I am in effect, doubling up on oil changes.

Have a great day,

djantlive · #9 03-23-2004, 10:12 PM

I perform the service when the computer tells me to, sometimes 1-2k miles sooner. I don't have any problem with a computer tracking when service is needed. In fact, I wish it would remind me of tire rotation, coolant change, and brake bleed jobs too. How is this different than you writing down on a pc of paper and reminding yourself to do something?

Since my E320 holds 8 qt of oil, I am not bothered by the extended oil change intervals. I do use Mobil One per recommendation. At $4/qt and $11/filter, it's not necessary to change oil every 3k mi and not worth saving money using dino juice and doing more frequent changes.

Enjoy the technology and worry about other things in life that's more important than oil changes. Let the computer help you.

Mike Murrell · #10 03-23-2004, 10:39 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by djantlive
[B]I How is this different than you writing down on a pc of paper and reminding yourself to do something?

For starters, the interval used by a concerned owner is going to be much different than the marketing-oriented BS generted by the computer. Do you think any car mfg. wants your car to last?
These so-called "extended intervals" are nonsense created to sell cars to people who don't care much at all about keeping a car 10 or more years.

#11 03-23-2004, 10:44 PM

Consider this. I live in Arizona. If we don't take a long trip, we may only put 5-6K miles on the car a year. At that rate, it could be two years before the FSS system authorizes MBUSA service. Now anyone who lives in Arizona knows that it's really dusty and it's also really hot. It's insane to go 2 years w/o looking at the air filter or even opening the hood. It's also insane to think that even the extended interval filter will go two years installed in an engine that has to deal with 116 degree heat in stop and go traffic with the A/C running.

I'm personally happy that MBUSA is dropping the free (built into the price of the car) maintenance. I'm also hoping that US cars will get the European Assyst system in place of the FSS system so the owner can reset it himself and (hopefully) have the dealer program it to suit the owners requirements.

blackmercedes · #12 03-23-2004, 11:51 PM

Owners can reset the FSS now. It's explained clearly in the (seldom read) owner's manual.

The FSS system makes some sense to me, but it's the intervals that I don't like, so I simply modify how I use the system. I like that it tracks city vs. highway miles and I find that useful. However, the intervals for oil and filter changes are just not frequent enough for me.

Keep in mind that the majority of customers today have no idea of what it takes to keep a car in good shape for more than a few months. And why should they? The lease is only 36 months and then the thing goes back. Who cares? People have become conditioned to just making a continous payment for driving a car for the rest of their lives and minimizing maintenance costs is important when it comes to comparision shopping.

Many of us are "keepers" and like to maximize the amount of benefit we receive from the capital investment of our automobiles. In the case of folks like us, I wish there was a switch for the FSS to "car nut keeper-type" from "don't care leasing customer" so that the FSS would work as I wished it to specifically.

manny · #13 03-23-2004, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blackmercedes

Many of us are "keepers" and like to maximize the amount of benefit we receive from the capital investment of our automobiles.

blackmercedes

Surely you mean capital EXPENDITURE ?

mbhack · #14 03-24-2004, 03:25 AM

Mike Murrell ......... you said it ! every 3k !
ive never seen soo many camshafts and lifters go bad since the fss and now the fss-plus b/s.
anyone seen the sludge on these 112-113 engines after these cars go out of warranty?

#15 03-24-2004, 09:08 AM

Since evidently, no one knows much about the FSS I want to tell you this.

The person worried about 24 months obviously does not know that this is why the word "Flexible" is in FSS. If you are taking short trips, it will flag for service at a lower mileage. Additionally, even if you only drive it one mile, once a month, it will call for service after 16 months. Additionally there is a resistive sensor that tests the oil for contamination. This is not a highly scientific test, but added to the other information monitored by the algorithm, this makes for a pretty good indication of when to change oil.

Also, the engines are sludging up because of those who insist on using dino oil and still going by the FSS. Did no one read what I wrote about MB offering 150,000 mile engine warranties for those who ran dino oil before MB let people know to run synth if you were relying FSS intervals?

Also, If there is a car company that wants their cars to go high mileage, MB is it. They have even amassed huge advertising campaigns in the past surrounding the high mileage MB's in the world. They also promote a high mileage award program. Does anyone else do this?

That said, all car companies are building their cars to sell to first owners. MB themselves get no money when the car sells to the second and subsequent owners. They do sell more cars, however, because of the MB resale value and the fact that many have learned that buying a used MB is getting something that can be repaired, rebuilt and kept on the road. It's not built like a dollar watch as are many American, Japanese and low end European cars.

I personally will never run my car all the way to the FSS indication without an oil and filter change of Mobil One in between, but I am admittedly anally retentive when it comes to oil changes.

If a person will do what MB says and USE SYNTHETIC OIL, then the FSS intervals will work. This is much more than marketing hype. Even if it is marketing hype, no one holds a gun to your head and tells you that you can't change your until the FSS system says you can. What's with such conspiracy theories anyway?

My $0.02,