I have service A in 27 days, and with only 8300 miles. I think mine is coming up on the one year mark it was received at the dealership.

 

I've got the same message around two months before my first anniversary 11/19 with about 5,500 miles on it. I just ignore it and hit OK to continue, not sure how long it's gonna stay with Overdue Message.

 

Be sure it doesn't affect your warranty....in writing.

 

It won't.

Separate note: I've seen cars come in 40k overdue! These people!

 

i am at 9800 miles in two months but haven't seen a A service required yet . but my van was at the dealers for a cluster replacement within two weeks i got it .maybe they have reseted at that time.

 

The service interval is, and I repeat, UP TO 15,000 miles or 12 months.

If you hit 12 months, with 2000 miles on it, thats time for it to be brought in. A modern car should be inspected thoroughly by a qualified mechanic every 12 months or so, regardless of any other needs, and changing your oil and filter is not a bad idea, either. Not every safety issue, mechanical problem, or impending failure can be detectable from behind the wheel, or from outside the car.

Furthermore, if you drive it in less ideal conditions, such as in frequent stop and go traffic, around town driving, lots of rapid accelerative events, hard braking events, cold starts, or very hot days, your car will reduce that interval. As it should. The idea behind ASSYST is to eliminate unneeded servicing, and keep the car on the road and out of the garage as much as safely and intelligently possible, without reducing ultimate service life or safety. A person who drives their car 40,000 miles a year and spends a lot of it on long highway trips out of stop and go traffic has no need to service the car more than 15k miles, which is inherently a lot less than 12 months. Thats me, by the way. *waves*

Its a lot better than the old 6mo/7500 mile intervals they had before ASSYST, which were not much cheaper inflation adjusted, by the by. American and to a slightly lesser extent, Japanese, cars are built for US consumption with certain things in mind, one of which is that Americans do not know how to maintain cars. They use less precise assembly and more forgiving but less ultimately durable design to compensate for the fact that they will generally remain unserviced and unmaintained except for the oil change, which is actually with todays oils one of the least important parts of car maintenance.

European cars in this country, with the possible exceptions of VWs Jetta and Passat, are not designed for that market reality, for better or worse. Mercedes automobiles are designed for owners that maintain them religiously. Europeans treat their cars as more valuable possessions than Americans do, and European inspections are strident, strict, thorough, and in many cases are done more than yearly. If you bought a Mercedes, it would behoove you to not neglect maintenance on it according to schedule, and to do it either at a dealer, or at a garage that specializes in Mercedes or at least European brands. They are easy to spot, because there is generally a fleet of older European cars perpetually littering the property- if they don't have that, don't use them.

Properly maintained, (which is not cheap) you will love your Mercedes Metris and it will last you for longer than you'd imagine. If you fail to do this, you have bought a money pit that will cause you no end of aggravation as all kinds of things break because the required inspections and related adjustments are not done, and parts that are approaching the need for replacement are not caught in time and will take other components with them when they go, and so on.

If you are not willing to service the car when it tells you to do so, let me give you the best advice you are ever going to get on the subject: Sell it and buy a Ford Transit.

 

My Metris is only 3 months old though green?

 

Sure, but if an engine issue arose, the lapse in mileage can be used against you if you try to make a claim.

This is still a first year model. It may take three years to get a feel for the overall reliability score. I'm sure with all the weight that engine has to move around must keep that turbo spooling a lot.

I wouldnt recommend exceeding the intervals if you purchased it for a commitment. Leased on the other hand...

 

Mercedes dealer main philosophy- sell them their next Benz. You do that with good customer service.

 

You'd think so, but I told the service writer the other day to NOT to wash my MC. Went to pick it up today and they pull it around ... washed and tires dressed. :frown:

 

Why would you tell them not to wash it?

 

Because I don't know what they use in the wash bucket and what or where the wash mitt has been. I worked as a professional detailer for years and I plan to meticulously care for my MC's paint. I doubt any MB service wash is dual-bucket and top-down wash system. Next week I start my new car paint sealant work once all the supplies are in.

 

The Metris has pretty shitty paint.

 

Yes, it's does not seem to be up to Benz passenger car caliber. With that said, even more reason to take good care of the paint/clearcoat from the start.

 

I am wondering if the service alert is related to the date of mfg? Can anyone who has received the early alert check their vehicle date of mfg to confirm this?

 

That's a possibility. I drive too much to have that problem.

 

I ordered mine, but it's definitely a possibility that others sat on the lot and developed time there. PM me a vin, I can see when it was manufactured.

 

Mine has the date of mfg on the driver's door.

 

You'll go crazy trying. If you want to take care of its finish, get it resprayed with a ceramic paint first.

 

Typically, when the vehicles (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) arrive at the dealership, a PDI (post-delivery inspection) is done. Fluids are topped off, typically a little more fuel is put in (since they usually arrive nearly empty), diagnostics are run to make sure nothing is going on or anything happened during transport, wheel lugs are tightened to torque specs, etc. When this PDI is done, it is logged into the MBUSA system that it was done. The clock starts on the maintenance interval then. If a vehicle is delivered to the customer 9 months after it arrived to the dealership, it may still have the countdown rolling and think service is due in the next 3 months. If it is so close to service interval time when the car is first sold, there is a way to do a maintenance light reset without setting it to go to 'Service B' for the 'first' service. This special 'courtesy reset' can only be done once, however. Keep in mind that service intervals are based on mileage OR time. Just because a vehicle hasn't reached the mileage yet doesn't mean that the fluids in lines, etc haven't begun to degrade. Now, you may be thinking what about that 'courtesy reset' I was referring to. Well, engines need to be running and the vehicle run to really get the fluids circulating throughout the system. Will it hurt the vehicle to not do the service if it's been on the dealer's lot for nearly a year? Not at all. There are typically 'extra' units sitting at the port in Charleston, SC that are sort of 'basic spec' vans that dealers can pull into their inventory should they work for a customer. Many times, customers wants specific things and these are too generic, but some customers need basic van and functions for work, so they are sufficient. These vans could have been there for a month, maybe even 8 months. It all depends on what it is...albeit, not completely 'topped off' with the fluids, etc.


Just something to keep in mind. Wanted to let you know that the van telling you it's already due for service may be completely normal and not the result of a glitch or something in the software or service clock. Hope that helps.

 

My Metris is getting close to 6 months old, and has about 7800 miles. The service light has come on and says that service is indicated in X number of days. The funny thing is that the indicated service date is exactly 6 months from my purchase date.
Obviously I'm nowhere near the 15,000 mile or one year mark.
I understand that the ASSYST system will call for service when needed based on parameters the system is designed to detect. (I can't possibly believe that my driving style has any significant impact on the service interval.) I understand that not all Metris' have the ASSYST system, and I also understand that vehicles without the ASSYST system will still give the driver a "service in so many days or miles" signal.
How can I tell if my Metris has the ASSYST system or not? If it doesn't have the ASSYST system, why is it calling for service at exactly 6 months from the purchase date?
I always take good care of my vehicles and I want to do the proper maintenance, but I don't wish to spend money on unnecessary maintenance. I've questioned the dealership and of course no one so far has given me a definitive answer to my questions. Any thoughts?

thanks, Dave

 

Once I get mine, I will follow whatever the vehicle says. Since its under warranty, its a safe habit to follow. Once the warranty is up, you can do, whatever, whenever you see fit. Changing the oil and filter is cheap insurance and the rest of the service is so that the MB techs can do their checks/inspection to prevent or monitor potential issues. You know, those thing you may not know about at this time can be nipped in the bud.

 

I think you've missed my point. The Metris is sold as a low maintenance vehicle with a 1 year/15,000 mile service interval. I understand that many cars today measure engine and driving parameters to determine when the oil should be changed. I've owned two vehicles that do that. It's a good feature.
My Metris may or may NOT have such a system, called ASSYST by Mercedes.
If it does, I'm flabbergasted that it's calling for an oil change at 6 months and 7600 miles. I know how I drive and IMHO there's just no way I'm driving in a manner that would significantly shorten the oil life. However, I would of course follow the system's recommendation if I knew my Metris had such a system.
If my Metris does NOT have the ASSYST system, then the oil change reminder is simply a calendar/mileage monitor, and if that is so, why is it calling for an oil change at 6 months.
My original question was "How can I tell if my Metris has the ASSYST system, or NOT." The dealership has not been helpful so far.
I take good care of my vehicles, but I don't want to pay for services that are actually not needed.

 

I thought they all have ASSYST. Anyway, on my vehicle, if you go through the menus in the computer, one of them has a line item for checking the ASSYST for how many miles/days left until service. I think it's the same menu as the TPMS check. One left of System settings, I think.

Unless I could get your dealer to grant that the car should be reset, I would do an A service on it. And then keep monitoring your ASSYST checker. If your car is screwing up on that, it would be a good thing to know.

 

Thanks for your reply.
My manual specifically says that not all Metris vans have ASSYST.
The attached document says that the menu will show ASSYST Plus even if the vehicle does not have ASSYST.
I don't wish to reset it. I want to do the necessary maintenance without paying for unnecessary services.
I'll continue to try to talk with the dealer. I was only able to speak to a service adviser and a line mechanic. I hope I can talk to the service manager.
Dave

 

I get it.

My concern is if an issue arises and the dealer tries to say it was because you missed the Service A 2,000 miles ago. I would get in writing by the dealer on what you should be going by. Your computer or by the calender. Better safe than sorry.

 

Yes, exactly.
Dave

 

That document refers to a Vito, not a Metris, as it obviously has a Diesel engine. Also I have no idea what a 448 is.

 

The document mentions the Mercedes 274 engine. That is a petrol engine and is used in the Metris.

Mercedes's research shows that the U.S.-market Metris will mainly be used for short urban routes, with plenty of start-stopping. Hence, the M274 2.0-liter inline-four engine, complete with direct injection and turbocharging, has been adapted from other passenger vehicles like the C-Class. In the Metris, though, it makes a little less power: 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque compared to 241 hp and 273 lb-ft in the 2015 C300 sedan. In the Metris, the M274 is exclusively backed up by the 7G-tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-car...om/new-cars/first-drives/features/a25869/first-drive-2016-mercedes-benz-metris/

 

Apparently a 448 is a V-class without the split tailgate.

Also I checked the manual thoroughly and did not see any indication that Metris vans come with or without ASSYST. The main manual doesn't mention it at all.

The service manual mentions something about vehicles equipped with ASSYST but that is a standard poor translation of German, not an indication some don't.

 

I didn't know the document I attached was from a Vito, sorry, but since a Vito "is" a Metris, I'd bet the service reminder system is pretty much the same, and that document does indicate that some vehicles do not have ASSYST.

The following in blue is from my Metris maintenance booklet.To me this indicates that not all Metris vans have ASSYST.

General notes
A service that is due is displayed in the service interval display approximately a month or 1,800 miles in advance. A message is then displayed while the vehicle is in motion or when the ignition is switched on.

The service due date is displayed in days or miles depending on distance traveled. This statement is key

Service due date display
One of the following messages appears:
Service A in ... days
Service A in ... miles

Service due date has been reached or exceeded
You will see one of the following messages,
for example:
Service A due
Service A overdue by ... days
Service A overdue by ... miles
A qualified specialist workshop can reset the
service indicator when the service has been
carried out.

ASSYST (Active Service System)
On vehicles with ASSYST, you are informed when the next service is due depending on the distance covered and driving style.
The time between individual service due dates can be extended by:
driving with care at moderate engine
speeds
avoiding short journeys where the engine
does not reach its operating temperature


I spoke to the service adviser again today. She checked the VIN and told me that my Metris was produced in January 2016. Therefore it'll soon be one year so the service is required. That indicates no ASSYST. I've never before bought a new vehicle that starts service requirements from date of production, rather than the date of delivery to the customer, but that apparently is what they are doing, according to the service adviser. She checked with the service tech and he recommended that at least the oil be changed. To be on the safe side (warranty wise), I will have the full A service done. I was told the service reminder will then be reset and the next service will be due in 15,00 mile/1 year from this service. That also indicates no ASSYST.
I plan to speak to management (nicely) to try to get some clarification about this issue, as apparently others have run across it also. I can't imagine how I'd have reacted if my Metris had signaled service required at 2 months as one poster has said.
IMHO it appears that not all Metris vans have the ASSYST maintenance computer, but use a fixed maintenance schedule.
Dave

 

I can't imagine how I'd have reacted if my Metris had signaled service required at 2 months as one poster has said.
Dave

S'cuse me, 3 months.

 

OK, I've got the definitive answer. I called the Mercedes commercial vehicle help number, 877-762-6372. I spoke to a very knowledgeable, personable young lady named Debbie. She also had never heard of a vehicle maintenance schedule starting prior to delivery to the customer. After checking with her technical resources she called me back and told me to ignore the computer reminder (it should have been reset at delivery) and just schedule my first service at 1 year/15,000 miles, whichever comes first. This will not affect my warranty. The dealership will then reset the reminder as appropriate. She also made note in my vehicle's file of our conversation and she personally called the dealership to cancel my appointment. I've already received e-mail confirmation of this from the dealership.

Dave