Maintenance Systems Overview

Maintenance Systems Overview [Extract from bulletin S-B-00.20/91]

This information provides an overview of the various maintenance systems that have been used in Mercedes-Benz vehicles since 1998. It explains which maintenance system is used by model, describes the service differences between them, and how they are determined.

Different onboard vehicle maintenance system nomenclatures were used in US specific documents compared to the vehicle's instrument cluster display. Reference the following table for system identification.

Maintenance System Nomenclature Table:

Maintenance System: FSS (Flexible Service System)
Model Years: MY1998 - MY2004
Models: 129, 140, 163, 170, 202, 203, 208, 209, 210, 215, 220, 230, 463

With the FSS maintenance system there is a minor or major service designated as "A" or "B" respectively. If the last service performed was an A-service, than the next service will be a B-service. For subsequent services; if the distance driven since the last B-service is less (<) than 14,000 miles, than an A-service should be performed. Consequently; if the distance driven since the last B-service is greater or equal (=) than 14,000 miles, than another B-service should be performed. Service intervals are based on oil quality, which is determined by the vehicle's oil quality sensor.

MY1998 - MY1999 the instrument cluster service reminder displays one wrench (figure 1). Any additional work to the respective A or B service scope is calculated using the maintenance sheet.

Figure 1:

As of MY2000 - MY2004, there is one or two wrenches displayed within the instrument cluster (Figure 2) indicating "A" or "B" service respectively. Any additional work to the respective A or B service scope is still calculated using the maintenance sheet.

Figure 2:

Maintenance System: FSS + (Flexible Service System Plus)
Model Years: MY2003 - MY2004
Model: 211

The entire service scope is calculated by the FSS+. With this maintenance system there is no minor "A" or major "B" services. Service intervals are based on oil quality which is determined by the vehicle's oil quality sensor.

The maintenance service time will be indicated by showing a service type A through type H in the multi-function display and possibly followed by a "+" symbol (Figure 3). Types A through H are classified based on estimated time needed to perform the maintenance service, ranging from Service A (approximately 1 hour) to Service H (approximately 8 hours). The plus "+" symbol indicates that the brakes need to be inspected as well, based on system calculations.

Figure 3:

Note: The alphabetic designations (A, B, C..H) do not represent minor or major services more commonly known as Service A and Service B. Instead these codes strictly represent an estimated amount of time required to perform the corresponding service.

Maintenance System: MBMS (Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System)
Model Years: MY2005 - Present
Models: 163, 164, 171, 199, 203, 204, 207, 209, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 251, 463

The MBMS uses various instrument cluster displays and intervals. Refer to model specific information below.

Model 163, 199, 203, 209, 215, 220, 230, 463
The MBMS indicates a minor or major service by displaying one or two wrenches within the instrument cluster's multifunction display (Figure 2) indicating "A" or "B" service respectively, similar to the FSS system. Additional work is calculated using the maintenance sheet. The difference from FSS is that the service interval is not based on oil quality. Fixed Intervals - 10,000 miles (AMG models and 12-cylinder engine only) or 13,000 miles (all other models).

Model 164, 171, 211, 216, 219, 221 and 251
The service scope is calculated by the MBMS. The maintenance service times will be indicated by showing a service type A through type H in the multi-function display. Types A through H are classified based on estimated time needed to perform the maintenance service, ranging from Service A (approximately 1 hour) to Service H (approximately 8 hours). Fixed Intervals � 10,000 miles (199, AMG models, 12 - cylinder, and 642 diesel engines only) or 13,000 miles (all other models and 648 diesel engine).

Note: The alphabetic designations (A, B, C..H) do not represent minor or major services more commonly known as Service A and Service B. Instead, these codes strictly represent an estimated amount of time required to perform the corresponding service.

Model 204, 207, 212
With the MBMS there is a minor or major service designated as "A" or "B" respectively. The instrument cluster displays "AX or "BX", where "X" is a one-digit number representing the additional work. Additional work is determined using the Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Sheet. Fixed Intervals � 10,000 miles (except MY2008 204 13,000 miles).

Note: As of 2009 a new 10,000 mile maintenance strategy was implemented for all models and engine variants. Service is divided by "Required" and "Recommended" at each interval.

The chart provides an easy and quick method of determining the type of maintenance system, instrument cluster display, and interval based on model and model year.