Page 247 of 288
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
Introduction..........................248
Warranty............................248
Emission Control System Maintenance......249
Maintenance Schedules..................249
▫Scope Of Work For “A” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................250
▫Scope Of Work For “B” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................251
FSS System...........................252
Regular Check-Ups.....................254
▫Additional Periodic Maintenance..........255
Special Maintenance Requirements.........256
▫Coolant............................256
▫Dust Filter For Heating/Ventilation
Replacement.........................256
Engine Oil Change And Filter Replacement...2568
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REGULAR CHECK-UPS
To maintain the safe operation of your vehicle, it is
recommended that you perform the following tasks on a
regular basis (i.e., weekly or whenever the vehicle is
refueled).
CAUTION!
Failure to perform the required maintenance items
may result in damage to the vehicle.
At Each Stop for Fuel
•
Check the engine oil level about 5 minutes after a fully
warmed engine is shut off. Checking the oil level while
the vehicle is on level ground will improve the accu-
racy of the oil level reading. See the procedure de-
scribed in Checking Your Engine Oil in the Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel section or under
Engine Oil in the Maintaining Your Vehicle section.
Add oil only when the level is at or below the ADD or
MIN mark.
•Check the windshield washer solvent and add if
required.
•Inspect wiper blade condition.
•Check operation of lighting systems.
•Inspect tires for unusual wear, damage, and pressure
(at least every 14 days).
•Mechanical assemblies (e.g., engine, transmission, etc.)
- check for leaks.
Once a Month
•
Inspect the battery and clean and tighten the terminals
as required.
•Check the fluid levels of coolant reservoir, brake
master cylinder and power steering and add as
needed.
•Check all lights and all other electrical items for correct
operation.
254 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Additional Periodic Maintenance
The following maintenance items should be performed
during the scheduled maintenance nearest the time
elapsed and/or distance shown. Follow the interval that
occurs first.
Every 2 years:
•Inspect body for paint damage.
•Check chassis and supporting body parts for damage
and corrosion.
At approximately every 50,000 miles (80,000 km) or 4
years:
•Check condition of driveshaft flex discs.
•Retighten locking bolts for steering (observe torque).
At approximately every 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 4
years:
•Replace fuel filter.
•Replace air cleaner filter element.At approximately 80,000 miles (129,000 km):
•Change the automatic transmission fluid and filter.
Use the recommended automatic transmission fluid.
After this change it is filled for life. The manual
transmission comes filled for life from the factory.
At approximately every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5
years:
•Replace spark plugs.
Every 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or 5 years:
•Replace engine coolant using coolant approved to MB
325.0, such as Valvoline GO5, or an equivalent ex-
tended life coolant.
WARNING!
You can be badly injured working on or around a
motor vehicle. Do only that service work for which
you have the knowledge and the right equipment. If
you have any doubt about your ability to perform a
maintenance service, take your vehicle to a compe-
tent technician.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES 255
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Page 256 of 288

SPECIAL MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
Coolant
Have the corrosion inhibitor/antifreeze concentration in
the coolant checked before the onset of winter (once a
year in countries with high prevailing temperatures).
Have the coolant replaced every five years or 100,000
miles (161,000 km).
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement
The dust filter is replaced during routine maintenance
service. The filter element must be replaced with “B”
Schedule service or every 18,500 miles (30,000 km) to
maintain effectiveness. However, if operating conditions
are dusty, these filters should be replaced more fre-
quently. A cover in the HVAC unit that can be reached
from the passenger foot well provides access to the filter
element.
ENGINE OIL CHANGE AND FILTER
REPLACEMENT
The recommended oil and filter change interval is based
on FSS or 1 year. Please refer to the heading FSS System
in this section for a full description of the use and
interpretation of symbols in the FSS system. Only use
synthetic engine oils, approved to MB 229.3 or MB 229.5,
such as Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. The FSS may not alert for an
oil change at the proper interval if an unapproved engine
oil is used; engine damage and reduced engine life may
result. Information is available from your authorized
dealer. The oil filter should always be changed when the
oil is changed.
256 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 103
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 215
Adding Fuel.......................... 166
Aiming Headlights...................... 238
Air Cleaner, Engine..................... 205
Air Conditioning....................121,208
Air Conditioning Filter................... 256
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 209
Air Conditioning System................. 208
Air Pressure, Tires...................153,154
Airbag................................ 28
Airbag Deployment...................... 32
Airbag Light........................31,109
Airbag Maintenance...................... 38
Airbag On/Off Switch..................36,40
Alignment and Balance.................. 163
Antenna.............................. 120
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 243
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 103
Appearance Care....................... 222
Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 63
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13
Automatic Transmission...............135,220Fluid and Filter Changes................ 221
Fluid Level Check..................... 220
Fluid Type.......................... 220
Special Additives..................... 221
Autostick............................. 139
Ball Joints............................ 210
Battery............................104,207
Saving Feature........................ 72
Belts, Drive........................... 205
Belts, Seat............................. 21
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 211
Brake Assist System...................... 85
Brake, Parking......................... 142
Brake System.......................144,217
Anti-Lock........................... 144
Hoses.............................. 218
Master Cylinder...................... 219
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle . . . 46,152
Bulbs, Light........................... 235
Capacities, Fluid....................... 241
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 168
274 INDEX
Page 280 of 288

Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 47
Safety Tips............................. 46
Schedule, Maintenance................... 249
Seat Belts.............................. 21
And Pregnant Women.................. 27
Extender............................ 27
Inspection........................... 47
Maintenance......................... 226
Operating Instructions.................. 24
Reminder........................... 104
Seats................................. 68
Cleaning............................ 224
Service Assistance...................... 258
Service Contract........................ 260
Service Manuals........................ 263
Shift Speeds........................133,134
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 183
Snow Chains.......................... 158
Snow Tires............................ 159
Soft Top............................... 52
Spark Plugs........................... 205
Specifications.......................... 241
Standing Lights......................... 74Starting.............................. 131
Cold Weather........................ 132
Emergency (Jump Starting).............. 181
Engine Fails to Start................... 132
Steering
Linkage............................ 210
Power............................. 152
Storage.............................. 239
Storage Bin............................ 62
Stuck, Freeing......................... 184
Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 166
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 28
Telescoping Steering Column............... 79
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 173
Theft Alarm............................ 17
Theft System........................... 17
TIREFIT.............................. 174
Tires .............................153,264
Air Pressure......................... 154
Alignment.......................... 163
Balancing........................... 163
Chains............................. 158
280 INDEX