Wrench symbol in odometer?
 

I bought my 98 ML320 last August with 23k on it. The dealer said since it was just starmarked that the 30k service was done and I was good untill 45k. I now have just under 34k and this symbol shows up when I start the car with a "1200" next to it. What does it mean? I do my own mobil 1 oil changes, do I need to reset something or is this for some 35 or 36k checkup? My tanny shutters so I know I will need some warranty work someday. My warranty is good until 6/03 or 50k and I do NOT want to jeopardize it. What gives Gilly?:confused:

36k miles is an A service interval. Basically, an oil change. Your B service will be at 48k. They alternate every 12k miles.

It means an A service within 1200 miles. If you are doing your own oil changes, you may want them to do that one so they can 'stamp the book' and record it in the service history. (That way they don't have any wiggle room on warranty repair items in the future). Your owners manual tells you how to reset the FSS to get rid of the wrench symbol if you choose to do it yourself.

Thanks, How do I reset the FSS or do I have to pay a dealer $5000 to do it? I would get the oil changed there but I just did it 200 miles ago and with $4/qt and $16 filter....it is staying.

I did read the owners manual....I swear.....but it was last year:)

Instructions to reset the FSS counter should be in your manual. It takes practice. Rumor is that you have to have the door closed.

Kuan

:confused: Still have wrench symbol....now reads -200 and I am at 35350 or so miles. Nothing in manual on how to reset it. Tells how you can set one to remind you but not to get rid of it. Anyone? Also what does it cost to do this checkup(ballpark). I just did a Mobil 1 change about 1500 miles ago so I am not due. I also have some "issues" that I want fixed before my warranty runs out next June(03). Any help?:eek:

OK, here is what I found off my MY02 manual:
1. Turn the key to position 2
2. Immediately press button(1) (left hand side nobe) twice within 1 second(recall the display)
3. Within 10 seconds, turn key to position 0
4. Press and hold the button (1), while turning key to position 2 again, continue to hold the button (1); after 10 seconds, a signal sounds, and the display should show 10,000 miles for about 10 seconds.
5. release the button.

Hope it would work for 98.

I really had to analyze that first post. The deal is that they said they just did "the 30,000 inspection", which is BS on a fss car, it's an A or a B service. You bought the car, having just had a service done (no idea if it was an A or a B I guess), but at any rate you are now at 35,350, that's 12,350 miles, so I would say it's due or 200 miles overdure for the next service. If the last service was an A, it now automatically needs a B. If the last service was a B, it should be due for an A. If it goes over I believe 14,000 miles since the last service, it gets another B. You also have to watch out on this 98, because after 4 years it will need an air filter, fuel filter and spark plugs. Also be aware that it's supposed to have a brake fluid flush every 2 years and a coolant flush every 3 years.
You don't want to arbitrarily reset the FSS right now, I'd say it needs an inspection, hopefullt someone there can research and can tell what needs to be done as far as which service and these other items which should be attended to.

Gilly

As a point of reference, my 98 E320 had its B service done at 28,245 miles. If the car was serviced at a Mercedes dealer, then the service booklet should show which service was performed along with the date and mileage. Once the service is performed, then the FSS should have been reset. If the dealer filled out the service booklet properly then it should also indicate which filters, fluids, and spark plugs have been replaced.

Re: Wrench symbol in odometer?
 

Read Gilly's post above carefully. Depending on driving habits, the B service will come up at 20-24K (10K - 12K FSS call). This ahould be followed by an A service (30K -32K FSS call), then a B service etc. Based on this and looking at Rjnonnie's history above, my guess is that the 30K service the dealer performed was an A service. You are now due for a B. take it in. On my MY02, service B shows two wrenches and service A =single wrench. In any case, you need to take it in and have the service done. Ask them if it's A or B, so get it on record. Do you have a list of what was done at 30K?

Just to clarify how this normally works:
An "A" service is ALWAYS supposed to be followed by a "B" service. A "B" service SHOULD be followed by an "A" service, HOWEVER, if you go over 14,000 miles after that "B" service, it instead needs a "B" service once again, a "B" after a "B".

Bear in mind also there are some items which are not governed by the FSS system. Namely, the air and fuel filters are done at every 60,000 miles or 4 years, the brake fluid should be replaced at 2 year intervals, and the coolant flush is due every 3 years.
The spark plugs on a 98 and 99 are due every 100,000 miles or 4 years, on a 2000 and newer it's every 100,000 or 5 years.
I also recommend tire rotations at every service, MB for some odd reason has the rotation included only on the "B" service.

Gilly

I assume you mean 140,000 miles and not 14K. Correct?

No, 14,000 is correct. I'm not talking total on the odometer, I'm talking accumulated miles after the service was performed.
The "base" setting is 10,000 miles between services, it'll show "10,000" after resetting FSS. It can go up or down from there based on a number of factors. If the mileage is extended up from 10,000 to 14,000 or higher, if the last service was a "B", it should be another B. If the last service was an "A", it should be a "B" service anyways.

Gilly

Got it.

Will I void warranty if I have someone do the service instead of a MB shop? Closest shops are 45mins in each direction and frankly I don't have the time or money. My oil is clean, my filter is great. I will remove and inspect plugs, change fuel filter, etc. If brake fluid id to be flushed every 2 years I would assume it was done when it was Starmarked after 2 years of service. I will look for my service records but I "assume" all this was done to starmark it. They did the brakes. if not mine have a LOT of meat for 35k. Tires are getting thin but will go another 5k no problem. Main issues I have are the sunroof noise and trans shutters when making tight turns.