Page 255 of 296
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
CONTENTS
Introduction..........................256
Warranty............................256
Emission Control System Maintenance......257
Maintenance Schedules..................257
▫Scope Of Work For “A” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................258
▫Scope Of Work For “B” Schedule Maintenance
Service.............................259
FSS System...........................260
Regular Check-Ups.....................261
▫Additional Periodic Maintenance..........262
Special Maintenance Requirements.........264
▫Coolant............................264
▫Dust Filter For Heating/Ventilation Replacement
(If Equipped)........................264
Engine Oil Change And Filter Replacement...2648
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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.
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.
262 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Page 263 of 296

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 263
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Page 264 of 296

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 (160,000 km).
Dust Filter for Heating/Ventilation Replacement (If
Equipped)
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.
264 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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ABS (Anti-Lock Brake) System............. 111
Adding Engine Coolant (Antifreeze)......... 223
Adding Fuel.......................... 173
Aiming Headlights...................... 246
Air Cleaner, Engine (Engine Air Cleaner Filter) . 213
Air Conditioning....................128,216
Air Conditioning Filter................... 264
Air Conditioning Refrigerant.............. 216
Air Conditioning System................. 216
Air Pressure, Tires...................... 160
Airbag................................ 29
Airbag Deployment...................... 33
Airbag Light........................32,116
Airbag Maintenance...................... 39
Airbag On/Off Switch..................37,41
Alignment and Balance.................. 165
Antenna.............................. 127
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant)............... 251
Anti-Lock Warning Light................. 111
Appearance Care....................... 230
Ashtrays and Lighter..................... 64
Automatic Door Locks.................... 13
Automatic Transmission...............141,228Fluid and Filter Changes................ 228
Fluid Level Check..................... 228
Fluid Type.......................... 228
Special Additives..................... 229
Autostick............................. 145
Ball Joints............................ 218
Battery............................ 112,215
Saving Feature (Protection)............... 75
Belts, Drive........................... 213
Belts, Seat............................. 22
Body Mechanism Lubrication.............. 218
Brake Assist System...................... 89
Brake, Parking......................... 148
Brake System.......................150,225
Anti-Lock........................... 150
Hoses.............................. 226
Master Cylinder...................... 227
Break-In Recommendations, New Vehicle . . . 47,158
Bulbs, Light........................... 243
Capacities, Fluid....................... 249
Capacity, Cargo Weight.................. 175
282 INDEX
Page 288 of 296

Safety Checks Inside Vehicle............... 48
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle.............. 48
Safety Information, Tire.................. 159
Safety Tips............................. 47
Schedule, Maintenance................... 257
Seat Belts.............................. 22
And Pregnant Women.................. 28
Extender............................ 28
Inspection........................... 48
Maintenance......................... 234
Operating Instructions.................. 25
Reminder........................... 111
Seats................................. 69
Cleaning............................ 232
Service Assistance...................... 266
Service Contract........................ 268
Service Manuals........................ 270
Shift Speeds........................139,140
Slippery Surfaces, Driving On............. 189
Snow Chains (Tire Chains)................ 167
Snow Tires............................ 168
Soft Top............................... 52
Spark Plugs........................... 213Specifications.......................... 249
Standing Lights......................... 77
Starting.............................. 137
Cold Weather........................ 138
Emergency (Jump Starting).............. 187
Engine Fails to Start................... 138
Steering
Linkage............................ 218
Power............................. 158
Storage.............................. 247
Storage Bin............................ 63
Stuck, Freeing......................... 190
Sulfur in Gasoline...................... 172
Supplemental Restraint System - Airbag....... 29
Telescoping Steering Column............... 82
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant......... 179
Theft Alarm............................ 18
Theft System........................... 18
Tire Safety Information................... 159
TIREFIT.............................. 180
Tires .............................159,271
Air Pressure......................... 159
288 INDEX