This dummy believed Bernina when the manual said that my machine didn't have any user-serviced parts...so I took that to mean that it didn't need service! (Duh!) Anyhow, my service man was NOT too happy when I finally took it in, 14 years later! But...in my defense, it never missed a beat. And I DO keep them super clean, so he said it wasn't too bad but "let's not make it so long next time, okay?" Live and learn...(and try not to kill off your machine in the interim... :? )