ASSYST question

[BrianM]

On my E240, after a service, the distance to the next service was reset at 10,000 miles. The display did not count down every mile but after approx 100 miles it would change to read 'next service due in 9,900 miles'. However, it never changed at exactly 100 miles, most times it went approx 120 miles before changing and I was able to go approx 12,000 miles between services.

I traded in my E240 for a E320 CDI a month ago. The E320 had 9000 miles on the clock and was predicting the next service was due in 7500 miles i.e at 16500 miles. I've since done 2000 miles and the next service is still showing as EXACTLY the same i.e. it will be required at 16500 miles. Is this normal? It hasn't changed by even a mile or two, it's exactly the same. I know that because I wrote it down on te invoice and it hasn't changed. I thought the whole point of ASSYST was that it monitored how the car was driven and adjusted the time to the next service accordingly. Could the ASSYST be 'stuck' and not doing it's job properly? I've read elsewhere on the forum that mileage between services can be extended for a number of reasons, including the type of oil used, but mine seems to be 'stuck' on a fixed interval.

Any help/advice appreciated.

 

[carabind]

I've wondered about ASSYST before. I might be guessing here , but from previous threads, I suspect early E intervals were driven more by measurement of oil quality and adding more oil (or even a oil change) would extend the mileage. For the later ones (02 onwards), it's more about how the car is driven - ie around town shortens/motorways lengthen the service interval. I've noticed this, and can see 10-20 miles added on a long run in just one day - and can see this tick up by the mile!
I don't think it is "stuck" otherwise it would continue to show "7500 till next service", but something is amiss - surely your driving can't match (to the mile) what mercedes predict??
Do you do mainly town or motorway, and if a bit of both, what's the ratio?
And is it telling you an A service is due?
Or B?

 

[BrianM]

I've wondered about ASSYST before. I might be guessing here , but from previous threads, I suspect early E intervals were driven more by measurement of oil quality and adding more oil (or even a oil change) would extend the mileage. For the later ones (02 onwards), it's more about how the car is driven - ie around town shortens/motorways lengthen the service interval. I've noticed this, and can see 10-20 miles added on a long run in just one day. I don't think it is "stuck" otherwise it would continue to show "7500 till next service", but something is amiss - surely your driving can't match (to the mile) what mercedes predict?? Do you do mainly town or motorway, and if a bit of both, what's the ratio? And is it telling you an A service isl be due? Or B?

I fully agree. I commute 25 miles each way into work every day, mainly dual carriageway, but included in the 2000 miles is a 300 mile round trip motorway journey from Durham across to Manchester. Next service indicated is "D".

 

[carabind]

Others far more versed tham me will know for sure, but your trips look like the right profile - ie start, then cruising, (but trips limited to 25 miles -is it the A1?) for the mileage to stay constant. I've never really undertood what drives ASSYST (could be the ECU)- anyone know ??
Also, at first service (13,000 miles) it came back telling me a D service was due next (12,300 miles to go), but then this changed to a C within a couple of thousand miles!! Good news I think, as the lower the letter, the lower the cost, but anyone know the logic driving this guessing game ??

 

[jberks]

My E240 (a W210) was great in this respect. I would pop a litre of oil in and she'd give me another 1000 - 1500 miles on the assyst. It would also count down slowly so that I got 17k between services.
My E270 (W211) sticks rigidly to 9,500 intervals. Fully synth oil, adding 1l between services etc, makes no difference.

 

[BrianM]

My E240 (a W210) was great in this respect. I would pop a litre of oil in and she'd give me another 1000 - 1500 miles on the assyst. It would also count down slowly so that I got 17k between services.
My E270 (W211) sticks rigidly to 9,500 intervals. Fully synth oil, adding 1l between services etc, makes no difference.

So it looks like there's nothing that can vary the service interval. One of my favourite 'games' was to see how much I could stretch the interval on my E240 but looks like I'll have to stick with a fixed interval.

Does anyone have a different experience? Seems strange to go to all that trouble to fit a vehicle with ASSYST only for it to give a fixed interval.

 

[Silver-racer]

On my C220 cdi sport Coupe the Assyst counted down every 100 miles showing that I needed an"A" service until about 1100 to go then it changed for no apparent reason to 1000mls "B" service. The car was serviced about 18mnths ago and had a "B" service then. could any body shed any light why this should happen

 

[Silver-racer]

ASSYST Changing service type

On my C220 cdi sport Coupe the Assyst counted down every 100 miles showing that I needed an"A" service until about 1100 to go then it changed for no apparent reason to 1000mls "B" service. The car was serviced about 18mnths ago and had a "B" service then. could any body shed any light why this should happen

 

[Blobcat]

On my C220 cdi sport Coupe the Assyst counted down every 100 miles showing that I needed an"A" service until about 1100 to go then it changed for no apparent reason to 1000mls "B" service. The car was serviced about 18mnths ago and had a "B" service then. could any body shed any light why this should happen

Depending upon your version of ASSYST once ~13K miles have been covered between services then it switches to a B service from an A. This use to happen on my W210 E320CDI so when it was due an A service I would get it done ~13K miles and when it was due a B service I would let it go until it was due.

My new W211 is on fixed 15.5K services.

 

[Rory]

On my C220 cdi sport Coupe the Assyst counted down every 100 miles showing that I needed an"A" service until about 1100 to go then it changed for no apparent reason to 1000mls "B" service. The car was serviced about 18mnths ago and had a "B" service then. could any body shed any light why this should happen

My C270 did exactly the same thing - in fact I'd already booked it in for an A service and the dealer did an A no problem. Came out with the next service firmly showing as a B.
I *think* that the reason it changes is either because the mileage since last service is high (mine changed at about 17000 miles, and I've heard high mileage users say they only ever have B services) or because of time - the car needs a B service every couple of years, so if it getting towards that, then perhaps it's clever enough to realise that it won't be going to the dealer again for some time, so it had better have a B service.

 

[Silver-racer]

Assyst

:-? I have spoke to the Stealership and they said it's because I have done over 13,500 mls but in the circumstances they will carry out an "A" service, so thanks for all replys . I hope now they dont "find " all sorts of other things to add on!! as my last service "B" was just over £500 about 18 months ago at approx 13900 miles ago.

Any one know of a good Independant in the N wales area.

Gerry

 

[Rory]

in the circumstances they will carry out an "A" service,

The dealers do only seem to use ASSYST as a guide, it doesn't appear to be mandatory to do what it says. Seems you're doing a low mileage (like me) - my dealer suggested I switch to fixed interval servicing (as MB have done on all new cars) - 1 yr or 15,500 miles. I said, 'no thanks'!

Any one know of a good Independant in the N wales area.

The only one I know of is MB Motors in Deeside. I've only ever seen a couple of comments, one good, and one not so sure.

 

[duncanh]

My C220cdi is nearly five years old and has done 116,000 miles.

At new, and after each service, it says that the next service (A) at 13,500 miles. It usually does about 16,000 miles (Assyst says 1000-1500 miles to the next service) when it changes to a B service. This has now happened every time. It has never recommended an A service. (I do the servicing myself, so I always give it a B service. How can you expect to go 35,000 miles without taking the wheels off and checking the brake pads? There are no wear indicators on my rear pads).

A couple of years ago I asked my local dealer how much a B service would cost, to be told £400+vat, not including extras like discs, pads, brake fluid change etc.

It seems to me that ASSYST is an excuse to get more revenue from a B service.

Has anyone ever had ASSYST get to nearly zero miles to the next service, where it still said an A service? If so, I would be interested to know what was the mileage between services. Especially on a W203 c220cdi.

 

[Silver-racer]

My C220 is very near the same age - Apr 02 and i have only 39000 on the clock. This last 18 months we have done about 14000 mls, due to going down to a family car and a plaything (SLK which does about 6k/year), previously it has been on a time basis anywhere between 20 months and 23 months, never 2 years. and on the previous count downs it has said 31 days to service and counted down, very often counting a lot faster than the actual days, one time I went away on holiday and it said 10 days to service, 1week later after I returned it said -12 days for service about 22 days in 7 not bad !?

 

[coolpot]

My C220cdi is nearly five years old and has done 116,000 miles.

Has anyone ever had ASSYST get to nearly zero miles to the next service, where it still said an A service? If so, I would be interested to know what was the mileage between services. Especially on a W203 c220cdi.

erm, I have a 2002 coupe on 80,000 miles, and on all of my services it has just stuck to what it said, never changed near the zero mark?

Granted this time the service was always showing as a B, i did about 600miles over! it never changed or anything..

I think ASSYST is something that they have been playing around with over the years, although by the sound of it they have gotten rid of it basically now?!

I also have the Silly model with no dipstick which i also understand they have brought back now?
i could never figure that, granted it is nice to be able to check oil without having to do anything, but u need a dipstick too, when i fill it up i just want something i cna take a level off and not some annoying sequence i have to keep doing until oil level is right whilst getting oil on my interior!!

 

[Swampy_B]

Hi i'm new to all this. i bought a 2003 e220cdi in feb with 68k on clock. At that point it showed 3500 till service d+, i bought the car from a dealership and when i asked salesman to do service before i collected i was told it will mess with service plan if it is done early and that assyt will still ask for service in 3500.

is this nonsense.

i have since been told by them that the price for this service could be about £600.

have i been lied to.

 

[Rory]

have i been lied to.

Well, yes. The car could be serviced anytime, and the indicator reset. However the dealers will normally only service used cars (I think it's a Signature warranty condition) if they have less than 3000 miles to go before servicing.

 

[Swampy_B]

(I think it's a Signature warranty condition).

in my opinion the warranty is worth nothing, i have been told that a duo valve has gone in the climate control and it isn't covered by warranty.

£1400 what a rip off, anyway the cars going back to the dealership soon if it aint fixed for free.

Why is the service dept so crap, the sales team havent put a foot wrong and have even sorted out 1 day test drives if no courtesy car available, but the service is the worst i have ever had, i get a better service from Skoda.