Why it is Crucial to Service Your Mercedes Regularly
All cars need maintenance. They all have parts that wear and some parts wear faster than others. Even if you don’t use your car, it will still need maintenance.
Mercedes-Benz service dealerships offer comprehensive service packages that take care of all the scheduled maintenance. Your Mercedes-Benz will also let you know when it needs a visit to the dealership.
It’s All in the Manual
As you probably imagined, the people who know best about what your car needs to stay in tip-top condition are the people who built it. Countless hours and huge research and development budgets were spent in engineering every part of a new Mercedes-Benz. As part of this painstakingly detailed process, service intervals were also developed, written, and printed in your owner’s manual. It’s in your best interest to read and follow it closely.
In the owner manual, you will find about every detail on every serviceable part for the car. Engine oil type, transmission fluid, brake pads, tire specifications, and also any electronic component that needs service will be listed in the manual. Different cars, even within the same model year, require different service intervals. If in doubt, your dealership will have an expert that can guide you along the way.
Giving the right maintenance at the appropriate mileage intervals is the best way to guarantee your Mercedes-Benz is running in perfect order and to avoid any potential repairs.
On Warranty
New cars come with a warranty that usually last three years or has a mileage cap of around 36,000 miles (it varies from manufacturer and dealership). This will, for the most part, cover any repairs that aren’t due to negligence. Something like a recall for a part or a software update are some of the reasons why the warranty is offered. The warranty does not cover scheduled maintenance, and making sure you have maintained your car appropriately is a requirement to keep the warranty valid.
If you are wondering if your car has any recalls, you can check the Technical Service Bulletins that have been created for your car. You can find these online, but your dealership will probably be keeping track of them as well.
The specifics of what services are necessary to be performed vary from model to model. For example, the E-Class Mercedes-Benz Service A includes oil changes and a quick system scan to make sure everything is in working order. A physical inspection is also specified at certain intervals.
Should You do Anything on Your Own?
You don’t have to be a mechanic to check up on your car. There are several things you can do that are a great compliment to your scheduled maintenance. This is especially useful if you have a really long commute or if you log a lot of highway miles.
Car Inspection
The most basic and often overlooked preventative maintenance practice is to inspect your car thoroughly. Make sure the lights work, check the bodywork, rims, tires, wheel wells and keep track of anything that looks unusual. Note if there are any creaks or rattles.
Tire Pressure
After you’re done with that, check your tire pressure. Tire pressure is a critical safety component, as even a small variance can affect your braking, cornering and can cause your car to go sideways at highway speeds. Although most models have sensors that keep track of tire pressure, it’s always a good idea to check on them with a tire pressure gauge. Remember that the tires are the only thing between you and the asphalt and plus, it will only take you five minutes.
Fluids
Checking your fluids is next on the list. Checking fluids is very easy and a great way to tell if anything is wrong with your car. Pop open the hood and look at the levels for the coolant liquid, power steering, and the wiper fluid. They will have a gauge or dipstick that will let you know if the levels are where they need to be. If you notice that any of these fluids are below the required level (except for the wiper fluid), contact your dealership and schedule a service appointment. It could be a leak or something that may be covered under warranty.
Oil
Even if you don’t change it yourself, make sure to check the oil periodically. Once or twice between each service interval is a good practice. Make sure the level is in its optimal operating range. Oil change intervals vary depending on the car, and modern cars use synthetic oils that have a longer lifespan. How frequently you change your oil depends on the type of use your car gets. If for example, you go to the racetrack on the weekends, your oil will probably need to be changed sooner due to the more demanding conditions your engine is operating under. If your car is mainly used for commuting, sticking to the recommended oil change interval in your owner’s manual is fine.
Keep it Clean
Washing your car is also a very important preventive maintenance practice. This is particularly important if you live in a state that gets snow. Dirt and road salt have a tendency to accumulate, especially in the wheel wells. Road salt can accelerate corrosion on sheet metal and is definitely something to avoid. What many experts recommend is to hose down the wheel wells once a week to avoid any buildup, and once the winter is over, go to a professional car wash service where they can wash your car with a pressure hose in all the corners.
Resources:
http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/8-top-auto-maintenance-myths-2.aspx
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/12/how-to-maintain-your-new-car/index.htm
http://lifehacker.com/the-preventative-maintenance-you-need-to-do-on-your-car-1394196018