service interval MERCEDES-BENZ ML320 1997 Complete Owner's Manual

ACTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (ASSY ST) FUNCTION - GF00.20-P-0003A
MODEL 129 with ENGINE 112, 113
MODEL 163 with ENGINE 112, 113, 612
MODEL 168 with ENGINE 166, 668
MODEL 202 with ENGINE 112, 113, 611
MODEL 208 with ENGINE 112, 113
MODEL 210 with ENGINE 112, 113, 611, 612, 613
General
The "Active service system (ASSYST)" draws the attent ion of the driver to a service which is due.
ASSYST is a demand-activated engine oil service system. In other words, in addition to the pure time and
distance criterion, various factors are taken into account for calculating the demand-oriented service intervals.
These are on the one hand quality factors which are c oded with the HHT, and on the other hand weighting
factors which take into account driving conditions and thus actual wear and tear.
Fig. 319: Identifying Text Panel And Tool Symbol
engines 602, 606 for
in addition engine 605 LA

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REMAINING DISTANCE FUNCTION - GF00.20-P-2007A
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
The service intervals which are possible with ASSYST range
on engines with oil sensor (e.g. 112, 113, 166, 611) between 15 000 and 30 000 km,
for the new direct injection diesel engine 668 between 20 000 and 40 000 km,
for engines with oil level switch between 15 000 and 22 500 km (for engine 602.982 between 20 000 and
30 000 km).
The service interval achieved depends on the start distance and the driving conditions (cf. remaining
distance).
Start distance and remaining distance
Start distance refers to the service interval in km/miles which is the minimum distance which may be driven
until the next service. 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 start distance is dependent on:
the set quality factors
(The quality factors are factory-set to a basic setting. They can be altered with the HHT, if operating
conditions so necessitate.)
The start distance is not dependent on the driving conditions (weighting of the distance driven) and on any oil
replenishments .
The standard value is normall
y 15 000 km, for the new direct injection diesel engine 668 20 000 km.

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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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The total remaining distance and thus the service interval may be increased to not more than twice the start
distance, 30 000 km in this case (white section) as a result of corresponding bonuses (favorable weighting of
distances driven) and in the case of engines fitted with oil sensor (e.g. 112, 113, 166).
Fig. 321: Start And Remaining Distance Graph

However, a start distance of less than 15 000 km results in a reduction in the maximum attainable service
interval.
Refer also to the diagrams in the document "Engine oil monitoring".
Warning threshold (km)
With the HHT it is possible to set a warning threshold between 250 km and 8000 km for the remaining distance.
This warning threshold is set differently for 3 different distances driven. The system adjusts to the correct
annual distance driven by calculating the daily distance driven (refer to table):
Display of remaining distance (The readout is shown in kilometers or miles depending on the national code.):
at driver request
automatically, after 5 s start switch in position 2 or driving if the warning threshold is reached :
The warning symbol and the readout: "SERVICE IN .... KM" appears for 10 s. (On models not fitted with
multifunction display, the service symbol appears together with the remaining distance in kilometers,
from mid July 97 "... km".)
automatically, after 5 s start switch in position 2 or driving if the remaining distance is exceeded :
In this case, the readout "KM .... EXCEEDED" appears together with the service symbol for 30 s (up to
mid July 97 for 10 s). (On models not fitted with multifunction display, the service symbol appears
together with the remaining distance with a negative sign in kilometers as a flashing display, as of mid
July 97 "... km".)
As of approx. 06.97 a brief warning signal sounds in addition.

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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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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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