Mercedes-Benz cars offer exceptional comfort, luxury, and power. However, all of these great features come at a high starting price and ongoing maintenance costs. Mercedes cars require extensive maintenance to keep them in good working order.
Compared to other high-end vehicles, it’s one of the most expensive to service. Some of the things that you may need to maintain a few years after purchasing a Mercedes-Benz are oil, fluid, spark plug, and filter change.
Certain professional maintenance tips should be followed if you’re a proud Mercedes owner looking to extend the life of your vehicle. Read more about them below to stay on top of things and keep your vehicle’s performance consistent.
Find Yourself a Credible Auto Repair Shop
Before we dive into this topic, every car owner must find an experienced mechanic who is knowledgeable about Mercedes. Knowledge is a must when choosing an auto repair shop, but finding a trustworthy auto repair shop that has earned a solid reputation and loyal customer base is also crucial as you don’t want to be taken advantage of. Buying a vehicle is already a huge investment and you don’t want to fall into a trap by engaging a mechanic that will trick you into paying for high-priced auto repairs.
Another important factor to consider when looking for a reliable auto repair shop is whether they have an auto repair shop insurance policy. Due to the risks of their job, most repair shops are required to carry insurance to protect their business operations. Usually, an insurance package of this kind should include general liability, commercial property, faulty work, and garage keepers liability. An auto repair shop that has invested in a proper insurance policy shows that they care about their employees and take their business seriously. And doing business with a mechanic that is properly insured, will give you peace of mind, knowing that your car is in good hands.
Keep Tires in Good Condition
Keeping the tires of your Mercedes in good shape is crucial in reducing the risk of a collision while spending time driving on the road. What you must do is keep the tires inflated by carefully following the owner’s manual to determine the advised tire pressure and by using a gauge, preferably once a month.
Underinflated tires significantly increase the risk of a collision by up to three times. Rotating the tires is also required when changing the oil or every 6,000 miles. Checking the alignment is also an important maintenance tip. If you fail to correct it, it can lead to an uneven thread.
Check the Brake Pads
In general, Mercedes owners should replace the brakes every 20,000 miles but if you’re unsure when you should do this, read your Mercedes-Benz owner’s manual because they might need to be replaced more often depending on how frequently you drive and what types of roads you mostly drive on.
Change the Oil
As you might know by now, oil is considered to be the blood of a vehicle’s engine and when it comes to Mercedes cars, the oil needs to be topped off frequently to make sure that potential problems are avoided and prevented.
With the help of a dipstick, you can measure how much oil needs to be added, and remember to change the oil every 10,000 miles. When checking the oil, remember that it should not be dark, as this indicates that it should be changed. Engine oil is amber in color, but it can turn black over time due to contaminants, heat, and added chemicals.
Certain Mercedes vehicles require synthetic oil to be used but always consult the owner’s manual first to ensure that this is the right procedure.
As a Mercedes driver, you should also check the coolant level which is important to ensure that the heat generated from the engine is removed to avoid potential issues. Once again, when performing an inspection, read the owner’s manual to determine where the coolant is located.
Inspect the Vehicle’s Drive Belts
Drive belts are a key component of the Mercedes engine as they generate power by transferring it from the crankshaft to the alternator, steering pump, all the way to the air conditioning compressor, and the water pump.
It’s advised to replace the serpentine belt every 40,000 miles after visually checking them. When you replace the drive belts, you’ll protect yourself from costly repairs but also reduce maintenance expenses. You can remove it and see how it wraps around the pulley. If the pulley makes noise or is in any way loose, then it needs to be replaced. To ensure that the belt is placed correctly on the pulley, line up the belt ribs in the pulley’s grooves.
Final Thoughts
Mercedes-Benz cars may not require as much maintenance during the first years of ownership, but as the car ages, proper maintenance is required. By following these Mercedes maintenance tips, you’ll feel like a proud car owner as you’ll provide your vehicle with a long life.
