“My Mercedes is due a service.”
“Ok, do you know what service it’s due?”
“I’m not sure, I think its a ‘A’… 3 something?”
Mercedes Benz service codes can be a bit of a pain to understand at first. But by the end of this post, hopefully all will be a bit clearer.
During my time dealing with Mercedes Benz servicing, servicing has been dependant on the letter that comes up on dash. Namely ‘A’ & ‘B’. Also known as 1 spanner or 2 spanner service for certain models going back to pre 2005 ish. This servicing display is also known as ‘Assyst’.
Initially the ‘Assyst’ service system just comprised of a the ‘A’ or ‘B’ Service:
– A – Minor Service. Engine oil and filter change. Minor Vehicle Inspection.
– B – Major Service. Engine oil and filter change. Pollen filter replacement. Major vehicle inspection.
In addition, there was the ‘Additional service items’ due on age or mileage:
– Air filter
– Fuel filter
– Brake fluid change
– Coolant change
– Spark plug replacement
– Gearbox oil / filter change
Soon, the ‘Assyst’ service system was upgraded. Incoming ‘Assyst Plus’. It takes account of time and wear-specific maintenance items and any special equipment that are maintenance relevant
First it was on the 211 E Class, but also seen in the 251 R Class, 164 ML Class & 169 A Class – The letters went up to H. So there could be a A, B, C, D, E, F, G or H Service
I think this confused the mass of people used to A or B servicing so for models from around 2008 such as the 204 C Class and 212 E Class it was changed to additionally have numbers or a letter after the ‘A’ or ‘B’, only when the ‘Additional service items’ are due. This meant combinations like A1, B1, A5, B5, A3, AK, AC. B0 etc. And it also ties in nicely with the Mercedes Benz Digital Service Book (DSB) introduced around that time.
With the letter and additional number / letter combination there is also a ‘Workshop code’ and each service item is numbered. To bring up the workshop code you need to bring up the workshop menu on the instrument cluster. On most cars with a 12 button steering wheel this is achieved by: Turning the ignition to position 1. Ensure the the overall mileage is displaying. Press and hold the call answer button then press and hold the OK button whilst continuing to hold the call answer.
For example, the service code for an ‘A’ service is ‘505’ – which translates to service item 1 – minor inspection & service item 3 – engine oil and filter change.
Next example, the service code for an B1 Service is ‘E0E’ – which translates to service item 2 – major inspection, service item 3 – engine oil and filter change & service item 4 – brake fluid change.
So we can see from the above two examples, that;
Service item 1 means an ‘A’ service
Service item 2 means ‘B’ service.
Service Item 3 is due on every service as it is engine oil and filter change.
The additional service items so far that i’ve come up against:
Service 4 – Brake fluid change
Service 8 – Air filter replacement. Sometimes diff oil (check service sheet)
Service 10 – Sunroof guide rails clean / regrease
Service 11 – Fuel filter replacement
Service 12 – Replace spark plugs
Service 13 – Engine coolant renewal
Service 15 – Towing hitch lubrication
Service 20 – Gearbox oil change / filter renewal
Service 24 – Cambelt replacement / Waterpump replace
Its important to check the items against the service sheet for your car as there may be important details on it that you need to know. The service sheet can be pulled up via WIS, or the likes of Autodata will have this info. Here is an example of the W212 Service Sheet Overview:
Given there are many combinations, slowly i started to memorise the most common. Initially i thought that it was different between models but after starting to note all of this down it became clear that all models are the same.
So i’ve built up a list with all the display codes, workshop codes and service items. Its not complete but so far its a good guide! Display code first, Workshop code, service items: (its not complete but a good guide, i will add to the gaps!)
A – 505 – Service items 1, 3
A1 – D0D – Service items 1, 3, 4
A2
A3 – 550A – Service items 1, 3, 8, 11
A4 – D50J – Service items 1, 3, 8, 10, 11
A5
A6 – DD0S – Service items 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11
A7 – G50M – Service items 1, 3, 20
A8 – Q50V – Service items 1, 3, 10, 20
A9 – GD0V – Service items 1, 3, 4, 20
A0 – 850D – Service items 1, 3, 10
AC – QD051 – Service items 1, 3, 4, 10, 20
AF – KD001 – Service items 1, 3, 4, 8, 12, 20
AH – 801050E – Service items 1, 3, 13, 24
AG – VD0A1 – Service items 1, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 20
AK – 10D0E – Service items 1, 3, 13
AP – 15D0K
B – 606 – Service items 2, 3
B1 – E0E – Service items 2, 3, 4
B2 – 8E0N – Service items 2, 3, 4, 10
B3 – 560B – Service items 2, 3, 8, 11
B4 – B60H – Service items 2, 3, 8, 10, 11
B5 – 5E0K – Service items 2, 3, 4, 8, 11
B5 – 3E0H – Service items 2, 3, 4, 8, 12
B6 – DE0T – Service items 2, 3, 4, 8, 10, 11
B7 – G60N – Service items 2, 3, 20
B7 – GN061 – Service items 2, 3, 15, 20
B8 – Q60W – Service items 2, 3, 10, 20
B9 – GE0W – Service items 2, 3, 4, 20
B0 – 1607 – Service items 2, 3, 8
B0 – 960F – Service items, 2, 3, 8, 10 (on a GL63)
BD – M60T – Service items 2, 3, 8, 11, 20
BE – V6031 Service items 2, 3, 8, 10, 11, 20
BF
BK – 10E0F – Service items 2, 3, 4, 13
BS – 1Q60X – Service items 2, 3, 10, 13, 20
Edit note: I think that the secondary letter or number means the same additionals, whether its a A or B service. Just awaiting more cars to check on services that come in.
So to round things up we can just look at a real world situation; well actually my car with its current requirements:
If i go into the normal standard menu for servicing it says its due a ‘BS’ Service. Great, what does that mean?!
Having pulled up the workshop menu we have the following:
We can see that the next service (BS),
In 315 days or 13600 miles
Has a workshop code of 1Q60X
Service items 2, 3, 10, 13, 20.
The Service broken down into items will be;
– B Service, (Items 2 &3)
With additionals;
– Panoramic roof mech cleaned and regressed (Item 10)
– Coolant renewed (Item 13)
– Gearbox oil/filter change (Item 20).
Bonus kudos for going into the ‘Vehicle Data’ and scrolling through to see the AdBlue is not full.
Please like and share if this helps! Got any questions or need help? Contact me.
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