Mercedes Vehicle Maintenance Plans: What You Need to Know
Those of us who drive vehicles brought to us by Mercedes-Benz will be no strangers to the “Recommended Service” messages we sometimes get. If you’re like me, you’ve likely wondered what do these mean and what do they entail? Some of you may have even asked “are they really necessary”? Well, first of all, let’s answer the last question first: if you’ve invested in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, pre-owned or brand new, chances are that you wanted a vehicle that was precision-engineered and able to deliver a superior driving experience. Based on the increased complexity of engineering that Mercedes Benz vehicles typically involve as well as YOUR expectations for performance, the answer is an unequivocal YES! To yield that superior performance, you’ve got to put some effort into maintaining your vehicle! The other two questions are asked often enough by our customers that we thought it would be helpful to make their answers more widely known:
1. Service Level A refers to the most basic service visit, and it’s a common part of recommended maintenance for all Mercedes vehicles newer than 2009. So, how about some details:
- First Service Level A Check is due at 1 year or 10,000 miles after acquiring your vehicle, whichever comes first
- Subsequent Service Checks due approximately every 2 years or 20,000 miles
- Synthetic oil and oil filter replacements
- Fluid level checks and adjustments
- Tire pressure checks, visual inspections or tires, and adjustments
- Brake component visual inspection
- Vehicle maintenance counter reset
Obviously, if a technician notices anything leaking, cracked, worn, or “off-kilter” you’ll be informed and given the opportunity to have some other work done, too, but, if no other issues are noted, that’s IT for the Service Level A!
2. Service Level B refers to a bit more involved service visit that typically begins 10,000 miles or 1 year after your first Service A visit. Let’s look at some details:
- First Service Level B Check is typically due 1 year or 10,000 miles after the first Service Level A Check
- Subsequent Service Level B checks are due approximately every two years or 20,000 miles after the initial one
- Synthetic oil and oil filter replacements
- Brake fluid replacement
- Brake component visual inspection
- Cabin air filters replaced
- Engine air filter may be replaced
- Fluid level checks and adjustments
- Tire pressure checks, visual inspections or tires, and adjustments
- Vehicle maintenance counter reset
Again, if your technician notices anything while performing the service inspection, there may be additional work suggested, and you’ll be given the information YOU need to make an informed decision about that additional work.
If you drive a Mercedes-Benz and have gotten a service message, please consider us for your service visit if you’re not already one of our loyal customers!
