Smart ED Car Service Required Warning Light

34425 Views 32 Replies 25 Participants Last post by joegoeke, 5 mo ago

cooltoys

Discussion Starter · Mar 21, 2014

I recently got the Service Required warning which is persistent until reset. Anyone know how? I have tried a few suggestions for older models, but they don't seem to work. While I purchased my Smart ED on May 5th in NYC, seem like the 12 month clock starts from Birthday day (mine was march 25th). I'd rather not schlep over to the Dealer to have them do it and no sense bringing in 3 months early.

BTW, anyone have a first service yet?

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

Woody14619

· #2 · Mar 22, 2014

Being the first 3rd Gen ED delivered in the US, yes... I took mine in about a month ago. The maintainance is rather minor. They do a battery test, replace a small part (warranty repair), and will likely also change the cooling fluid, even if it doesn't need it.

The battery test involves bringing the battery down to the min rate and re-calibrates the cars expectations of that. One should also get the V9 software update if they can while having it in for service (most dealers still don't know it even exists, so call ahead to make sure they got the files they need to update).

Frankly, the longest part is waiting for it to re-charge. Even on a high speed charger, it's going to take 5 hours, since they have to run the battery down to near-0. If you can arrange an am drop-off, I'd suggest it. IF you do a PM drop off, do NOT plug the car in to charge. That just makes the service take all the longer.

cooltoys

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 22, 2014

Thx

Was there a fee for the service? Did you get that service required lamp?

Woody14619

· #4 · Mar 25, 2014

There was no fee for the service. As for the lamp, the only indicator I got was on the display (saying service due). If you are getting a service light, that's something different. You should check for codes on your OBDII connector and/or take it in for service right away if that happens. If you live a bit from a dealer, take it to an AutoZone or such and they'll often check the codes for you for free. That way you can make sure the dealer has the parts on hand to cover whatever may be wrong.

Smart Boy

· #5 · May 25, 2014

My ED "Care Ser. in 30 Days" indicator turned on today. I'm leasing the battery so I know I will get a free battery test. Are the any other services that is needed and how much does it cost?

See less See more

trooplewis

· #6 · May 25, 2014

I think the bill is about $100.
Check tires, scope the vehicle, check diff fluid, freebie loaner car at the MB dealership, check the brakes, etc. The battery part is free, and it is also the most expensive part of the checkup.

wrumbarger

· #7 · May 25, 2014

There are actually TWO check engine lights on the ED.

The one is like the standard on an ICE (Infernal Combustion Engine) smart and comes on to say "something" is not as expected. Check it out with an OBD scanner, take it to the dealer as soon as convienient.

The other is RED with a line through the engine. and it means DO NOT DRIVE.
Not just a little, not just to see what's wrong, not just to get it to the dealer, DO NOT DRIVE at all under any circumstances.

CALL the dealer (or the number under the driver's visor)? and have it TOWED to a dealer ! ! ! !

EDSmarty88

· #8 · Jun 5, 2014

wrumbarger said:
There are actually TWO check engine lights on the ED.

The one is like the standard on an ICE (Infernal Combustion Engine) smart and comes on to say "something" is not as expected. Check it out with an OBD scanner, take it to the dealer as soon as convienient.

The other is RED with a line through the engine. and it means DO NOT DRIVE.
Not just a little, not just to see what's wrong, not just to get it to the dealer, DO NOT DRIVE at all under any circumstances.

CALL the dealer (or the number under the driver's visor)? and have it TOWED to a dealer ! ! ! !

son of a gun.... my car care light says 29 days... and then this red light has popped up as well... killing my car in the middle of the road... sigh... anyone know what this issue is??? will probably tow my car there tm :crying::crying:

Smart13

· #9 · Jun 5, 2014

trooplewis said:
I think the bill is about $100.

WOW! That is cheap. Here in Portland they charge in the range of $250 for the yearly required service. Thinking they kinda ripped me off

Dave NH

· #10 · Jun 5, 2014

My service due countdown light came on way before it was expected, based on one year from date in service. It counted down the days to 0, and now it is counting up the days service is overdue. Flipping the change screen ring on the right stalk gets rid of the display, and returns it to whatever you normally have it set for.

I called the dealership to ask about it. They told me that the techs were supposed to reset the service reminder as part of the vehicle setup, and didn't do so. I was told to simply ignore it, and bring the car in about a year after it went into service. In the meantime I have to flip the change screen ring when I turn the car on. No big. Still, it's a measure of how little the dealerships knew about these cars when I leased mine last September.

The closest dealership, the one where I got the car, is over 50 miles away. I told them
about the "get it home" issue and asked if they would give me a loaner so I could pick the car up the next day, giving them a chance to fully charge it after the service. They said they will do this for me. However, past experience with this dealership leads me to say that I'll believe it when I see it.

See less See more

aj_pdx

· #11 · Sep 21, 2014

But does anyone know how to reset it on the ED? The method on the ICE doesn't seem to work. Mine has come on but isn't due for 11 months (just got it a few weeks ago).

Beltfedbob

· #12 · Oct 29, 2014

aj_pdx said:
But does anyone know how to reset it on the ED? The method on the ICE doesn't seem to work. Mine has come on but isn't due for 11 months (just got it a few weeks ago).

I'd like to know how that is done as well. The instructions for the gas version does not work for my car.

rmcclelland

· #13 · Nov 28, 2014

FYI, the maintenance message on the Smart can be reset with a combination of button presses. I'm pretty sure this worked for me: Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

Switch on the ignition to position 1.
• Select maintenance indicator within 4 sec by double tapping the left instrument cluster button.
• Switch of the ignition to position 0 (off) within 10 sec.
• Push and hold in the instrument cluster button and switch ignition on (start the car).
• Hold the instrument cluster button for another 10sec.
• In that time, the spanner symbol on the LCD will flash and eventually reset.

Reactions: 2

gapotter

· #14 · Mar 30, 2016 (Edited)

Just took my 2015 Smart ED in for its first 'Care' visit (5000 miles). MB-USA was completely unhelpful in discovering what 'care' entails, and how much it might cost. They sent me the maintenance manual instead - (attached)

While there is no charge for the required battery test (which should be done whenever you take the vehicle in for service) - they will charge you for the main battery desiccant pack (MB calls it an Air Dryer) Part: A 451 835 03 47 - Cost in Seattle $190 - probably another $75 for them to install. I'm fairly sure I could do this myself. NOTE: The desiccant / air dryer pack is good for 2 years / 25,000 miles! (The service department didn't even know about this!)

The desiccant / air dryer also has another number: 789-340-33-00 (and was on ebay for $45 !)

I brought in my Smart ED with 40% on the battery - as I read somewhere that they would need to perform a full drain and recharge during the battery test. This is not the case. The battery test used about 20% of the battery - so I was left with about 20% when I left the dealership. They forgot to charge up my car

Interesting enough - now that the car has been plugged into for testing - my mileage estimator has increased the range by about 10 miles. Since it's been in the 40's here in Seattle - my range when fully charged has reported about 48 miles. The estimator reported 60 miles this morning at 43 F this morning!

There was also a note in the service about: CODE U000187 COMM WITH CONTO UNIT COMMUNICATIONS MODULE HAS A MALFUNCTION. CHECKING VEDOC FOR POSSIBLE BACKEND ISSUE. (I have no idea if this is something with the on-board GSM / T-Mobile comm system which is flaky at best!)

It's really sad how Mercedes-Benz cannot even answer simple customer questions - and that documentation doesn't cover the actual wording a vehicle displays. Even the service department seems blind-sided with my questions - and cannot give me acceptable answers.

See less See more

marc hanna

· #15 · Mar 31, 2016

Not every dealership sends their techs for the special ED training. The best thing to do is get a quote in advance for the service, and ask them for a break down of the cost. In my experience here in Southern Ontario, Canada, the pricing and knowledge from dealership to dealership is very different, for example, for the 2yr 20,000km service, the dealer in Kitchener is about $250, whereas the dealer in Burlington is almost $600.

mattwithcats

· #16 · Mar 31, 2016

For the maintenance reset in my Gas Smart, my oil change shop has an ODBII scanner that will reset it.

My AutoZone has a nice scanner too, not sure what it resets, however.

Is the dessicant cartridge a sealed thing? Possible to dry it out, and reuse it, or refill it?

MB DNA

· #17 · Mar 31, 2016

gapotter said:
Just took my 2015 Smart ED in for its first 'Care' visit (5000 miles). MB-USA was completely unhelpful in discovering what 'care' entails, and how much it might cost.

It's really sad how Mercedes-Benz cannot even answer simple customer questions - and that documentation doesn't cover the actual wording a vehicle displays. Even the service department seems blind-sided with my questions - and cannot give me acceptable answers.

As an early EV adopter and ED owner you have by default become a Beta Tester. This is further complicated by ED being a niche of a niche and M-B not creating/training any ED specialists within the dealership or M-B Customer Care?

As others have pointed out, both the process and cost of the annual battery pack service can vary widely? Mine required no special prep on my part, took about 2 hours (I was provided a loaner) and cost $12 as the BAP Program INCLUDES prepaid service.

Oddly enough, the "estimated range" calculation is now more generous perhaps through a software tweak?

Sometimes it can be lonely being an ED owner in a non-CARB state. Few can comprehend the joys of ED ownership sprinkled with the "thrill" of occasional range anxiety...

Reactions: 1

marc hanna

· #18 · Mar 31, 2016

mattwithcats said:
For the maintenance reset in my Gas Smart, my oil change shop has an ODBII scanner that will reset it.

My AutoZone has a nice scanner too, not sure what it resets, however.

Is the dessicant cartridge a sealed thing? Possible to dry it out, and reuse it, or refill it?

I've used the same procedure as the ICE Smart to reset my service indicator. As I recall it took me a couple tries to get it right.

sokoloff

· #19 · Mar 31, 2016

mattwithcats said:
For the maintenance reset in my Gas Smart, my oil change shop has an ODBII scanner that will reset it.

My AutoZone has a nice scanner too, not sure what it resets, however.

Is the dessicant cartridge a sealed thing? Possible to dry it out, and reuse it, or refill it?

Desiccant cartridge can be obtained by any Mercedes dealer - $36 wholesale. It is apparently used in the B class too, so it is also a "Mercedes" part. Do a search in this forum. It is a definite DIY job and looks to be quite easy to do. There is also info about reusing your old cartridge. My car goes in this summer for its annual battery check and that is the only thing I want done. Everything else will be DIY. Cost I've been told for the check is about $80. I own my battery.

Len
2014 EV

Yinzer

· #20 · Apr 1, 2016

A previous thread on resetting the service reminder can be found here:

http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f170/any-software-gurus-service-reminder-out-sync-99530/

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

Top