4 Ways to Keep Your Benz Running Like New, No Matter How Long You’ve Been Loving It

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are incredibly popular. in 2013, Mercedes-Benz sold more cars in the U.S. than in any previous year, with 312,534 sales. Their success isn’t a fluke. Genuine Mercedes-Benz products are known for their high quality engineering, their reliability, and their luxury status — Mercedes prices are not low, but you get what you pay for. When you buy a Benz, you make a major investment in both a vehicle with longevity, and in your own reputation as someone successful and discerning.

To protect that investment, establish a Benz service schedule so you never forget a key maintenance element. Follow these four maintenance tips and enjoy your Mercedes-Benz for years to come.

1. Check the oil. Be sure your vehicle is parked on a level surface, and the engine is at a normal operating temperature, to ensure that the oil has come down from the engine into the reservoir. If you’ve been driving, you’ll want to wait about 5 minutes from the time you parked before checking the oil, and if you only started the engine briefly, wait at least half an hour.
   
   When your engine is ready, remove the oil dipstick from the dipstick guide tube. Wipe off the oil, and slowly slide the dipstick into the guide tube until it hits the stop. Take it out and observe the level: if it’s between the MIN and MAX marks, the oil level is correct and you’re good to go. If the oil level is low, add oil accordingly. Benz service should include an oil check, but it’s always good to know how to do it yourself.
   
   If you’re one of the many Mercedes owners who have switched to synthetic oils (or have vehicles that came with synthetic oils), you’ll need to change your oil regularly — about every 7,500 miles, or every six months. If you use traditional oil, you’ll need to change it a little more frequently — every 5,000 miles, at least.
2. Keep your cool. The oil isn’t the only thing you should be checking regularly. Other fluids like coolant are important to check up on on a weekly basis. It’s important to maintain a half and half mix of coolant and distilled water to prevent corrosion and deposits within your cooling system.
   
   Before checking the coolant level in your vehicle, again ensure that you’re vehicle is on a level surface. Unlike an oil check, a coolant check requires that your engine have plenty of time to cool down. After that, your job is easy: simply turn your SmartKey to position 2 in the ignition, and observe the coolant temperature in the instrument cluster. If you need to add coolant, make sure the coolant temperature is under 158anddegF before you open the coolant reservoir. Carefully turn the cap counterclockwise for a half-turn to let off excess pressure, then add coolant as needed.
3. Respect your tires. Your entire vehicle is supported by about two square feet of surface area at a given moment. Only the bottoms of your tires allow you to start, stop, and maneuver smoothly. Be sure they’re at their best by maintaining proper inflation, and ensuring that they’re all at the same pressure. You should have your tires rotated and balanced about every six months, and inspected for wear and damage frequently.
4. Clean it up. To protect your paint job, it’s absolutely necessary to wash and wax your Benz regularly. Dirt and road chemicals can oxidize and damage paint easily. And to check on your finish, try running a clean, dry hand along your vehicle after a wash. If it doesn’t feel as smooth as glass, you’re probably feeling bonded contaminants.

Your best bet for keeping your Mercedes in top shape is to consult your owner’s manual for your optimal Benz service schedule, and to stick to it. Check with local Mercedes dealerships for even more maintenance tips and Benz service recommendations. Enjoy your Benz!