Factory Service Schedule for the 2016 Sprinter

[joe rv guy]

I've got this message that's appearing each time I start up.

"SERVICE A DUE IN 20 DAYS" I purchased in April of 2016. 10.6K
My questions,

What is "SERVICE A" ? Is it a suggestion? and how would I reset it the message, once I decide?

Thanks

joe

[SilverHouseDreams]

If you look under the Mercedes Sprinter maintenance book, Service A is an oil, oil filter, and fuel filter change and check/refill DEF. YMMV I suppose, I've never owned or been responsible for a Sprinter.

[Lily&Me]

Yes, your owners manual will inform you of what service is needed, and when.

Maggie

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by joe rv guy

What is "SERVICE A" ? Is it a suggestion? and how would I reset it the message, once I decide?

Service A is basic preventive maintenance. Service B is more extensive preventive maintenance. On my 2012 Interstate/2011 Sprinter, Service A comes up on odd multiples of 10k miles (10k, 30k, etc.) and Service B comes up on even intervals (20k, 40k, etc.). I've never had either one come up on the dashboard display on the basis of time, only on the basis of miles.

By the way, missing a scheduled Service A will not cause the computer to shut down the engine. When you go past the time limit, the message should switch to "Service A Overdue." It's just a message, and like all warning messages, you can cycle through the display menu back to the odometer or whatever you prefer to display be pressing the buttons on the left side of the steering wheel. But it will keep coming back until the dealer (or someone with an OBDII reader) clears the warning message from the computer after performing the service.

And another "by the way," after you have the service done, the clock starts over, at that point. In my case, if I got Schedule A service done at 33,000 miles instead of 30000, the next Schedule B service would be due at 43,000 miles, not 40,000 miles. Not an actual case, I just used those numbers for illustration. But I was late for a Schedule A service once, when the odometer clicked over the deadline while I was over 1000 miles from home.

[amirm]

What it really means is that you will be out of $350 from your pocket.

Seriously in my case, they also did a bunch of recalls. So good to take it in to get it updated as my 2016 airstream was really built in 2015.

[stast01]

Service A reminder will pop up every 18 months after service is performed, whether you've gone the requisite 20K miles or not. This isn't uncommon--most manufacturers specify oil service intervals by both time and mileage--"every 7500 miles or 1 year, whichever occurs first" as an example. Mercedes simply includes the time clock in their on board service reminders.

I would counsel you to go ahead and have the service performed. I don't know whether MB would deny warranty coverage (should it be required) if you went strictly by mileage, but it would seem "penny wise and pound foolish" to do so IMHO.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by stast01

Service A reminder will pop up every 18 months after service is performed, whether you've gone the requisite 20K miles or not.

That's double the mileage interval, and half again the time interval, of my 2012 Interstate/2011 Sprinter's service intervals.

But the alternating Service A at odd intervals and Service B at even intervals should still hold true.

[Titus]

Service intervals have been gradually increasing since they used EGR, DPF, and SCR for emissions control in 2010. Wonder if
1) they have made changes to the engine that allows the longer intervals or
2) they have accumulated more data to give them confidence in longer intervals or
3) the marketing guys forced them into it to be competitive?

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Titus

Service intervals have been gradually increasing since they used EGR, DPF, and SCR for emissions control in 2010. Wonder if
1) they have made changes to the engine that allows the longer intervals or
2) they have accumulated more data to give them confidence in longer intervals or
3) the marketing guys forced them into it to be competitive?

Possibly a little of all three. But my guess #2 and 3 are the main reasons.