The Mercedes Sprinter van is a testimonial to the quality of highly-engineered vehicles. The Sprinter is mainly purchased by companies for deliveries or used as work vans in construction, plumbing, or electrical vocations.
In recent years, many used vans have been purchased to convert into campers for travel enthusiasts. These aftermarket-purchases are a testament to Sprinter’s longevity, as these vans have been known to drive for many more thousands of miles as recreational vehicles. Because of their convenience, maintenance is important to their longevity.
Potential Issues With Sprinter Vans
Issues can arise with Sprinter vans, but the severity of these issues depends on the quality of service that goes into one during ownership.
Problems such as finding yourself on the side of the road with a dead battery, dull headlamps, or malfunction of other safety features can be avoided. Scheduled services are more than recommendations, they are the lifeblood of longevity in a well-engineered vehicle.
If you skip the recommended services on the maintenance schedule, you void any warranties. You will find more expensive repairs than if you followed the plan. Let’s take a closer look at what Mercedes recommends for your Sprinter van servicing.
Scheduled Maintenance
There is a reason other than engineering that the Mercedes Sprinter has a reputation for reliability, and from the owner’s part, that is its comprehensive maintenance plan.
Mercedes servicing plan is multi-layered and divided into two parts: ServiceA& Service B. Each service plan has inspections and services that are based on two different mileage models. These modeled plans are described below. Let’s go through examples of each one to understand the differences between the two.
Service A: Starts at 10,000 miles or one year, whichever is first
Service B: Starts at 20,000 miles or two years, whichever is first
Rotation of Services
Each service then rotates with one another and is performed every 20,000 miles. For example, Service A will be completed at 10,000, 30,000, and 50,000, while Service B will take place at 20,000, 40,000, and 60,000 miles.
Each service will have similar, but different elements to each to make sure your Sprinter van is kept in excellent condition. The Mercedes plan is one of the most extensive in the auto industry, and Sprinters with hundreds of thousands of quality miles on them are the evidence the programs work.
Here is an example of the two service plans below. The list is not extensive and may change slightly from year to year. Check with your Sprinter technician pros for the full and most up to date list.
Service A
Kept simple, you will recognize many of Service A’s options:
- oil and filter change
- other fluid level inspections and refill
- brake system inspection
- visual body inspection
- tire pressure checks
- belts and hose checks
- any issues that arise
Service B
This has more specific inspections and services that look deep into your Sprinters needs:
- cabin filter change
- check doors for proper operation
- inspection and tightening of bolts
- fuel filter replacement
- vehicle lubrication
- any necessary replacements
All Technicians Are Not Alike
As you can see, Mercedes has put together two extensive service plans for your Sprinter van. By following these plans, your vehicle will last for years.
Some people think they are saving money at quick lube style centers. In the end, they will find these poorly-qualified businesses are not a good fit for their Sprinter’s needs. Trying to keep up with simple maintenance yourself or taking your Sprinter to an unqualified mechanic may cost you much more in the long run than trying to save money on professional services.
How to Keep Your Sprinter Running for Years
At European Service Center, serving the Houston, TX area, we take pride in our experience and knowledge of Mercedes Sprinter vans and other top model European vehicles. Our expert technicians have ongoing training to keep your vehicle on the roads for years.
By spotting issues early during servicing, we can save you money from expensive repairs later. Don’t trust your quality vehicle to any else but Mercedes professionals. Put us to the test. Call us today to set up a time to bring in your Sprinter or car for servicing and repair. We look forward to earning your patronage.
* Mercedes-Benz Sprinter image credit goes to: DarthArt.