Shocked
Programming a car to shut down when it's time for scheduled maintenance would be a reckless - if not criminal - practice. It would be my guess that whatever issue you experienced with your 2017 gasser only coincidentally happened around the same time your maintenance warning popped up.
My 2016 gasser says it's 200 days overdue for service (it's not, I just haven't yet reset the counter), it still runs and drives as it should.
We have a bunch of ED owners here who do the yearly services through DIY (someone even invented their own battery tester), though I have no idea how that impacts BAP.
I had my yearly NYS inspection done one day late. Not recommended for this area.
Apparently, Smart finally sent my shop the chip with software embedded.
Meanwhile, I read the manual concerning service checkups. The mandatory first checkup is grossly in conflict with Mercedes and the authorized service dealership. The first checkup according to both only requires a battery check.
I read further that in extreme cases of cold for a few days at a named temperature, the car will shut down to protect the battery. It will allow you to restart to get to safety.
While I would take your advice over anyone from Mercedes it is pretty specific.
The list of required maintenance is absurd. They require the brake oil be changed. That is just one. It’s an all inclusive we got you list in case anything happens. I realize that.
The desiccant filter does not have to be checked until year two. Meanwhile it warns that battery performance will start to diminish the day you buy it.
The manager was helpful. I asked him to fill out whatever he could without committing perjury. I asked if he could run the smart car diagnostics. He told me if there are no messages or warning lights, it would come back with nothing.
He held up a diagnostic report. It was a blank sheet, he said you could have it. It clearly states nothing but it was gold. He was right.
I also asked him to check the under carriage for leaks or damage to the frame and wherever the battery is located. None. I was not going to spend a lot of money for a 500 round trip. Daimler already got me once.
So, he wrote the truth in the service manual. Mercedes has told me more than once I could have service done at any shop but the manual says otherwise.
I did due diligence. I hope Mercedes did their's so I don’t have any problems. It seems like it’s a three armed beast that wants to get rid of the other two.
Thank you Ms. Mercedes.