Mercedes Owners Spot a New Dashboard Alert: What Does 'Maintenance Travel' Mean?

' One owner recently took to forums to ask if running the internal combustion engine at just 18 percent utilization could cause long-term damage. The good news? Mercedes already thought of that and built in a solution. The alert is part of the brand's evolving hybrid and plug-in systems, designed to periodically cycle the gas engine to keep it healthy even when most driving is electric.

It's a smart move, especially as Mercedes continues to refine its lineup of luxury performance cars. S. buyers won't get one. EA platform, offers up to 435 miles of range and seats up to eight. And for those who still crave a V8, the updated GLE 63 S and GLS 63 deliver a new-generation engine with supercar-rivaling numbers.

But not every Mercedes trend has been a hit. Enthusiasts have raised eyebrows at some of the brand's recent experiments, from a six-wheeled G-Class monster to a twin-turbo V12 sedan that barely qualifies as a sedan. Even a Middle Eastern tuner got in on the act, turning the AMG G 63 into an open-top special by replacing nearly every exterior panel.

As Audi and BMW make more enthusiast-friendly moves, Stuttgart would be wise to take notes. For now, if you see that 'Maintenance Travel' alert, rest easy, your Mercedes is just looking out for itself.