MB Medic Mercedes-Benz Repair Guides, Service, How To DIY
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In this guide (4 sections)
What Is Included in Mercedes-Benz Service A?
Service A is the smaller of the two scheduled services in the Mercedes-Benz Flexible Service System, and it alternates with the larger Service B. A typical Service A includes:
- Engine oil change with an approved synthetic oil such as Mobil 1
- Oil filter replacement with a Genuine Mercedes-Benz Fleece Filter
- Tread depth inspection and record
- Tire pressure correction
- Tire rotation (not on cars with staggered wheel sizes)
- Lubrication of the hood hinges and lock cylinders
- Sunroof track check and top off of all fluids
- Cooling system inspection, including antifreeze protection level, hoses and clamps
- Brake inspection, including pad thickness and the condition of the discs, fluid and lines
- Heating and ventilation dust filter inspection, replaced as needed
- Function check of the lamps, headlights and exterior lights
- Seat belt, windshield wiper and washer check
- Throttle linkage inspection and lubrication (older models)
- Air filter check and cleaning
- Flexible service system counter reset
Service A typically includes an engine oil and filter change, fluid-level checks, tire pressure checks, and brake component inspections, but the exact requirements vary by model and model year. Additional tasks, such as air-filter replacement, sunroof-track lubrication, hood-hinge lubrication, and tire rotation, should be performed according to the vehicle’s maintenance schedule and condition. Tire rotation is only possible when permitted by the tire and wheel configuration; vehicles with staggered tire sizes may not allow front-to-rear rotation. Always consult the owner’s manual or applicable Mercedes-Benz service information for the required maintenance items.
What Does Service A Cost?
The cost varies by area and model. For Service A, expect to pay between $195 and $280. Changing the oil is the most involved part of this service; everything else is checking. You can change the oil yourself for under $60 with our DIY oil change instructions.
How Often Is Service A Due?
Service A intervals vary by model, model year and market. On many newer US market cars, the first Service A is due at approximately 10,000 miles or one year. Service B follows about 10,000 miles or one year later, so Service A then comes around roughly every 20,000 miles or two years. Always follow your car’s service reminder and the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule; our maintenance by mileage and year guide lays out the full schedule.
Doing Service A Yourself
After a DIY Service A, the service counter still has to be reset, which our guide to resetting the service reminder covers. It is also the easiest moment to see what the car has logged since the last visit: a Mercedes capable scanner such as the UCAN-II Pro reads stored fault codes from every module, so a brake wear warning or a charging fault turns up while the car is already in your garage.
Before you buy parts, scan every control module, not just the engine. It shows the root fault behind the warning lights and tells you whether the problem is still active. See how to do a full health check.