1997 MERCEDES-BENZ ML500 service interval

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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ENGINE OIL MONITOR FUNCTION - GF00.20-P-2009A
MODEL 129 with ENGINE 112, 113
MODEL 163 with ENGINE 112, 113, 612
MODEL 168 with ENGINE 166, 668
MODEL 202 with ENGINE 112, 611
MODEL 208 up to 31.7.99 with ENGINE 112, 113
MODEL 210 up to 30.6.99 with ENGINE 112, 113, 611
General
The oil level is constantly monitored by the oil sensor, and the appropriate data transmitted to the processor by
the ASSYST.
Oil replenishments are detected automatically and result in a bonus, which extends the service interval
accordin
gly.
as of 06.97 except engine
112, 113, 611
(Valid for engines with
oil level switch.)
Active service system
(ASSYST) display
facilities GF00.20-P-0003-04A
Remaining distance
function GF00.20-P-2007A
Engine oil monitor
functionEngine with oil sensor
(e.g. 112, 113, 611)GF00.20-P-2009A
Model 210 as of 01.03.97
with engines 111, 602,
604, 605, 606
Model 129, 140, 170, 202
as of 06.97 except engine
112, 113, 611
(Valid for engines with
oil level switch.)GF00.20-P-2009B
Displaying service
functionModel 129, 202 as of 8.99
Model 163 as of 1.00
Model 168 as of 9.99
Model 170 as of 12.99GF00.20-P-2010B

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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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MODEL 202 as of 1.8.99
Display of service to be performed
In addition to the various service displays, the service work to be performed (A or B) also appears.
The service symbol (wrench) appears once or twice in the display for this purpose.
The service symbol appears
once for service A
twice for service B .
A service A is always followed by a service B.
Following a service B, the next service must be calculated taking into account the kilometer readings. If the
distance of the current service interval is less than 22 000 km, the next service is service A, otherwise service B.
This calculation is now performed automatically in the instrument cluster (A1).
The path of the service displayed A or B can be processed in the service sheet without the need for a
calculation.
There is no external difference in the instrument clusters with and without the service display.
If service A (one service symbol) is displayed, it is then necessary to ensure by means of the production date
or the control unit identifier , that the vehicle in question is in fact a vehicle with service display . If this is
not the case, the service must be determined as specified in the service sheet.
The table below shows from which control unit identifier the instrument cluster features the service display:
The control unit identifier can be read with the HHT under menu point Control unit version.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
ModelControl unit identifier
1292/04
1633/04
1683/20
1702/23
2020/20
Displaying remaining
service function GF00.20-P-2007A

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Fig. 641: Additional Designation For Models And Components
SERVICE INTERVALS/WORK SHEETS GENERAL INFORMATION - AP00.20-P-0000-04C
The Active Service System (ASSYST) was introduced as of 3/97 first of all on model 210 and as of 1.6.97 on
models 170, 129, 140, 202 and from the start of production on models 163, 168, 203, 208, 209, 215, 220, 230,
414.

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For these vehicles the service sheet for the Active Service System (ASSYST) and the maintenance manual
volume 4 apply.
With the ASSYST service sheet the previous distinction between care service and maintenance service no
longer applies. Instead, the service category A (minor service) and service category B (major service) have been
introduced.
The service scopes for each model series can be seen in the respective valid service sheet.
The order no. is stated on the particular SERVICE SHEET.
On manual transmissions, automatic transmissions, transfer cases, front axles and rear axles the service item
"Check fluid level" has been replaced by an inspection of all visible parts for leaks.
In view of the fact that these components are not oil consumers, as is the case for the engine, a loss of oil can
occur only to the outside.
If any leaks are present, the procedure, as before, is to determine the cause and to rectify it subject to a separate
repair order.
The service operations carried out should be documented in the boxes in front of the operation titles. It is
essential to ensure that the specified service operations are carried out in full.
An indication is given in the boxes after the operation titles of which service operations should be carried out
for service category A (minor service) or service category B (major service). Enter a cross behind these boxes to
identify any items which are not in proper order when the vehicle is received.
Additional operations should be defined by the service adviser in agreement with the customer and an indication
should be made on the service sheet whether these additional operations are to be carried out.
Fig. 642: Service Intervals/Work Sheets


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