1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 air condition

The figure may differ from this, however, depending on quality factors.
The start distance is automatically reset to its initial value by the oil change reset each time the oil is changed.
The start distance is an internal computed quantity and cannot be displayed in the instrument cluster. It is
possible to display the start distance with the HHT.
What is normally displayed in the instrument cluster is the remaining distance .
The remaining distance is the same as the start distance immediately after the oil change. On engines with oil
sensor (e.g. 112, 113, 166, 611, 668) this applies only, however, if the specified quantity of oil has been added
during the oil change.
The remaining distance is the distance which remains from the current kilometer reading until the next
service. The possible length of the interval is at least as great as the remaining distance displayed
immediately after an oil change, and is at the most twice the start distance.
The remaining distance is dependent on
the start distance
the driving conditions (a weighting of the distance driven takes place)
any oil replenishments in the case of engines with oil sensor (e.g. 112, 113, 166, 611, 668)
Consequently, ASSYST also takes into account the driving conditions: In the case of a favorable weighting
(e.g. small number of cold starts, no high engine revs, small number of short-distance trips, minimum extent of
towing a trailer etc.) and oil replenishments, the driver is provided with a bonus which extends the remaining
distance and thus the service interval. Account is also taken of whether the vehicle is actually driven or whether
the engine runs at idle speed. ASSYST is constantly supplied with the data regarding the current operating
conditions of the vehicle for this purpose.
In the case of the best weighting , only 0.6 km are added for each kilometer driven.
In the case of the most unfavorable weighting of the distance (e.g. frequent short-distance trips, large number
of cold starts), the remaining distance and thus the service interval is smaller than in the case of the most
favorable weighting (assuming identical quality factors).
In the case of the most unfavorable weighting, up to 3 km are added for each kilometer driven.
The start distance and the remaining distance are once again presented in the form of a graph in the diagram
opposite, taking the example of gasoline engines
Each time the oil is changed, the start and remaining distances are set to the initial value. In this case, the
normal value of 15 000 km is entered as the start distance (top bar) (shaded + dark section). The start distance
may differ from 15 000 km (e.g. 14 000 km; shaded section) if the quality factors do not correspond to the basic
setting. In the case of engines fitted with oil sensor (e.g. 112, 113, 166) the start distance may also be less than
15 000 km if the specified oil quantity was not added during the oil change. The remaining distance (bottom
bar) is always 15 000 km, however, immediately after an oil change. In addition, the service interval is
always at least 15 000 km .

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MODEL 129 as of 1.6.97
MODEL 140 as of 1.6.97
MODEL 163
MODEL 168
MODEL 170 as of 1.6.97
MODEL 202 as of 1.6.97
MODEL 208 up to 31.7.99
MODEL 210 as of 1.3.97 up to 30.6.99
Start time and remaining time
Start time refers to the service interval in days immediately after the oil change
The start time is not dependent on the driving conditions and any oil replenishments .
The start time is 730 days ( 365 days).
The start time is automatically reset to its initial value by the oil change reset after each oil change. The start
time is an internal computed variable and cannotbe displayed in the instrument cluster. It is possible to display
the start time with the HHT.
The remaining time is displayed in the instrument cluster under certain conditions as stated below.
The remaining time is the time which remains until the next service.
The remaining time is only of importance for "low-mileage drivers". (It is therefore the remaining distance
which is displayed as a general rule.)
The remaining time depends on:
the start time
the driving conditions (the distance driven is weighted in this case.)
Replenishing oil, however, does not have any influence on the remaining time.
As a result of these dependent factors, ASSYST proves to be a demand-oriented system even for "low-mileage
drivers". Depending on the weighting of the factors, the service interval for "low-mileage drivers" is between 1
and 2
years.

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Warning threshold (in days)
With the HHT it is possible to set a warning threshold of between 5 and 30 days for the remaining time, with a
stepwidth of one day. The basic setting is 30 days.
Display of remaining time
The remaining time is always only displayed in those cases where the following condition is met:
Remaining time (in days) x 40 < remaining distance (in km), and the warning threshold is reached.
The remaining time is displayed in the following cases:
automatically, after 5 s start switch in position 2 or driving, if the warning threshold is reached:
The service symbol and the readout "SERVICE IN ... DAYS" appears for 10 seconds. (On vehicles not
fitted with multifunction display, the current remaining time, the service and the clock symbol appear.)
automatically, after 5 s start switch in position 2 or driving, if the remaining time is exceeded:
The service symbol and the readout "DAYS ... EXCEEDED" appears for 30 s (for 10 s up to mid-July
97). (On vehicles not fitted with multifunction display, the service and the clock symbol appear. The
"remaining time" is displayed with a negative sign (minus sign). The readout flashes in this case.)
After the display reaches the maximum readout of -730 days, the readout remains at this figure! The
readout is displayed with a resolution of 1 day.
As of approx. 06.97 a brief warning signal sounds in addition.
at driver request. The readout is then displayed, as above, for 10 s.
If a speed limit is set at the cruise control, this speed limit is displayed for a short moment before the
ASSYST display.
If certain measured values are not supplied to the ASSYST, e.g. because of failure of a sensor, it switches to
stored substitute values. An appropriate entry is then made in the fault memory of the particular control module.
If the power supply fails, the data are retained. The times without operating voltage (battery disconnected) are
not recorded, however! They can be retroactively included, however, with the HHT.
Active service system
(ASSYST) operating
informationEngine with oil sensor
(e.g. 112, 113, 611)GF00.20-P-0003-01A
Model 210 as of 01.03.97
with engines 111, 602,
604, 605, 606
Model 129, 140, 170, 202 GF00.20-P-0003-01B

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An excess oil level or insufficient oil level appears in the display together with the oil can symbol.
Display of low oil level at maximum:
at driver request
Display of warnings:
automatically, at the earliest 60s after engine start and oil temperature greater than 60°C:
if oil level too high: the oil can symbol appears together with the readout "OIL LEVEL ABOVE
MAX". In addition, a brief warning signal sounds. (On models not fitted with multifunction
display, "HI" appears flashing.)
if oil level too low: the oil can symbol appears together with the readout "OIL LEVEL BELOW
MIN". In addition, a brief warning signal sounds. (On models not fitted with multifunction display,
the oil level warning lamp (A1e12) comes on and the readout "-2L" appears flashing.)
if oil at minimum: the oil can symbol appears together with the readout "OIL LEVEL MINIMUM".
In addition, a brief warning signal sounds. (On models not fitted with multifunction display, the oil
level warning lamp (A1e12) comes on.)
automatically 13 s after ignition ON:
if no oil is in engine: the oil can symbol appears together with the readout "OIL LEVEL BELOW
MIN". In addition, a warning signal sounds. (On models not fitted with multifunction display, the
oil level warning lamp (A1e12) comes on and the readout "-2L" appears flashing. In addition a
brief warning signal sounds.)
The missing oil quantity displayed no longer changes during the display. In other words, any change in oil level
cannot be observed directly at the display. The new oil level is only displayed once the conditions described
below exist.
Display of oil quantity at driver request
The text "DISPLAY OIL LEVEL?" appears 10 s after the start switch has been turned into position "2" (on
models not fitted with multifunction display, the oil can and the clock symbol are displayed).
If the reset button of the trip counter is pressed twice within one sec. during this readout, for example, "add 1.0L
oil" (or "-1.0L")
appears in the display if oil level too low. The readout appears only after the elapse of a waiting time after
engine OFF. The waiting time depends on the engine oil temperature.
It is
up to 20°C 30 minutes
from 60°C 1 minute
The waiting time is between these two limits at other engine oil temperatures.

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Possible readouts are (text in parenthesis relates to models not fitted with multifunction display.):
"OIL LEVEL OKAY" ("o.k."),
1.0L, 1.5L, 2L,
"Overfilling" ("HI"),
"OBSERVE WAITING TIME" (clock symbol flashing and oil can symbol),
"DISPLAY OIL LEVEL" (clock and oil can symbols.)
If there is a fault at the oil sensor (oil level/temperature/quality, B40) the oil can symbol and the text "OIL
LEVEL SENSOR FAULTY" appears only 30 s after the fault has occurred.
(On models not fitted with multifunction display, the oil level warning lamp (A1e12) comes on accordingly.)
For diagnosis, read also the injection system control module (N3) with the HHT. (The instrument cluster (A1)
receives the sensor data through the CAN from the injection system control module (N3)).
Oil change
The ASSYST has to be reset each time the oil is changed. Resetting ASSYST also resets the remaining time and
the remaining distance. Resetting can be performed at the instrument cluster or using the HHT. The following
data are stored when the system is reset:
current kilometer reading rounded off to 100,
total oil replenishments in the last interval,
remaining distance,
remaining time,
product of the quality factors,
the data of the last 5 resettings in 5 data sets
These data can only be read with the HHT!
If the specified quantity of oil is not replenished when the oil is changed, the (internal) start distance is
reduced.
Detecting oil replenishments
With the HHT it is possible to retrieve the last 10 oil replenishments and the corresponding kilometer
readings of the current interval.
In the normal case, detection of an oil replenishment is displayed by the remaining distance in the
instrument cluster being extended
Oil replenishments are always only detected once the following conditions are met:
the replenished quantit
y is at least

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In the charts overleaf, a number of examples of this are presented. The horizontal (x) axis represents the service
interval and the vertical (y) axis is the remaining distance in each case in km.
conditions are met:
the replenished quantity is at least 1 l
after replenishing the oil, the car must be driven a distance of at least 5 km under normal driving
conditions at an oil temperature of at least 60°C
There are instances, however, in which the readout of the remaining distance nevertheless appears implausible
after replenishing oil; according to the display, no bonus or only a small bonus has been issued. This is caused
by the fact that the remaining distance is always only displayed within a range from 15 000 km up to 30 000 km
(or 20 000 km up to 40 000 km in the case of engine 668), but internally the system calculates with the actual
values which may also be beyond this range. These internal values can only be displayed with the HHT.
horizontal (x) axis represents the service interval and the vertical (y) axis is the remaining distance in each case
in km.
The readout of ASSYST in the instrument cluster always moves within the light range.
The remaining distance calculated internally may also, however, be within the two dark ranges. These internal
values can only be displayed with the HHT.
All examples relate to gasoline engines fitted with an oil sensor.
Example 1 :
Sufficient oil was added during the oil change. This means that the starting distance is 15 000 km.
After 10 000 km oil is topped up under normal driving conditions (a). The bonus (B1) is issued and displayed.
What this means is that when the remaining distance is retrieved, a greater remaining distance is displayed.
(Provided the aforementioned conditions for detecting the oil replenishment are met.)
Oil is topped up again after a further 5 000 km (b). In this case also a bonus (B2) is issued and displayed.
If, after this, no further oil is topped up and the car continues to be driven in the same manner, a service interval
of about 24 000 km is thus achieved.
In this example, the curve moves at all points within the light range of the chart; consequently, all the oil
replenishments are displayed by increasing the remaining distance.

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Fig. 322: Engine Oil Monitor Function - (1 Of 4)
Example 2:
The specified quantity of oil was added when the oil was changed.
The car is driven under very favorable conditions and oil is topped up after 10 000 km (a). Internally, the bonus
B1 is issued, the service interval is extended accordi ngly by enlarging the remaining distance. However, as the
curve is sometimes within the shaded ar ea, only the part of B1 which is within the light area, is at first displayed
as an extension of the remaining distance. (Provi ded the aforementioned conditions for detecting oil
replenishment are met.)
Oil is topped up once again at 18 000 km (b ). In view of the fact that the maximum service interval of 30 000
km was exceeded, the bonus B2 is not initially displayed as an extension. Th e entire service interval in this case
is 30 000 km.
If, from point b, the car continues to be driven under less favorable conditions , it may still also be possible now
to achieve the maximum service interval of 30 000 km because of the internal bonus B2.
Fig. 323: Engine Oil Monitor Function
- (2 Of 4)
Example 3:
When the oil was changed, the quantity added was less than the specified quantity. Consequently, the start
distance is less than 15 000 km.

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If oil is now topped up after 5 000 km (a), the remaining distance displayed is not extended as the curve is
within the shaded area. The bonus B1 is nevertheless added internally and results in an extension of the service
interval to slightly more than 15 000 km - provided the driving conditions remain the same or are more
favorable.
(The service interval of 15 000 km is always reached, however, even if the internal value were less.)
Fig. 324: Engine Oil Monitor Function
- (3 Of 4)
Example 4:
Oil has been topped up after 5 000 km under unfavorable driving conditions (a) and the oil replenishment
(bonus B1) detected internally. We now have two cases to consider:
If the car continues to be driven under the same conditions (unbroken line), the remaining distance
displayed is not extended as the curve is within the shaded area.
The service interval in this case is nevertheless 15 000 km although the internal value is less. (The
remaining distance displayed can always only be within the light area.)
If the car continues to be operated under more favorable conditions (broken line), the value of the internal
remaining distance slowly moves into the light area. Consequently, the service interval may be greater
than 15 000 km.

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