When I picked up my new MB Ody last week, the dealer mentioned that, when starting the car, that I should turn the ignition almost all the way (but not all the way) and then wait until the "Maintenance Required" light goes off before turning it all the way to start the car. I was in a hurry to leave, so I just said "OK", but this seems strange . Anyone know a reason why the dealer gave me those instructions? I did a search through the forums, but didn't find any similar posts. Thanks!
Your salesman was wrong. Follow the starting instructions as outlined in your owner's manual, if there's any question.
There's no reason to follow his advice. He simply doesn't know what he's talking about.
The computer is programmed to flash and light that light at certain mileage intervals, as described in your owner's manual. You may follow the light, or follow your own service schedule. Use the instructions in the owner's manual to turn the light off if it continues to flash or stay lit after you start the car.
I believe the maintenance required light starts to blink for 10-15 seconds when you are within 500 (maybe 1000) miles of the next 7500 mile service interval. You'd be sitting there all that time for no reason (other than the dealer maybe wanting you to be irritated so you'll bring the van in for service).
When you turn the key to the "engin run" position, you should
be able to hear the fuel pump run for a second.
I owned a 97 blazer, and used to think that I should wait for
the fuel pump to stop (just waited 1-2 seconds) before starting
the car. Well....after replacing a $400 fuel pump at 50,000 miles,
I stopped that practice of waiting. Why? Well I learned that
the pressure in the fuel lines was optimal for starting the car
in that 1-2 second time span. Once the pump stopped running,
(once I waited for it to stop running), the fuel pressure dropped.
This made for a "harder" start (more cranking, etc), than if I
would simply have turned the key and immediately started the
car.
Now I know I'm talking about a Blazer here, and not an Oddy.
But I think the principle is the same. Engineers are counting on
us starting the car right away, and not waiting for the fuel pump
to stop(or any other light to go off) before starting. I say turn
the key and start the car.
Just turn the key and start the Ody. It's as simple as that! If you occassionally want to check to make sure all your warning lights are working, which you should, follow the procedure mentioned in this thread.