Benefits Of Regular Mercedes Services & Inspections
Mercedes-Benz and AMG have built a reputation of seamlessly merging high performance and luxury into unassuming packages. This has made them a go-to brand for many car enthusiasts, as they can fall into categories ranging from exciting daily drives to exotic weekend toys, and everything in between.
If you are considering a new or used Mercedes, we have listed why taking regular Mercedes service and inspections is so important.
Services Available to Mercedes Benz Vehicles
Mercedes breaks their service routines into two services, Service A and Service B, designed to be alternated to keep your Mercedes in optimal condition, ensuring that trademark Mercedes-Benz performance, safety, and longevity.
Service A
Service A is is the first major service your Mercedes-Benz will undergo, and is designed to be done after the first 10,000 miles or 1 year, and then again every 20,000 miles or two years, and includes:
- Engine oil and oil filter change
- Top of Add Blue fluid for diesel vehicles
- Remote key battery replacement
- New cabin dust filters
- Inspection of lights
- Inspection of horn and safety systems
- Fluid inspection and top-up
- Wiper inspection and optional replacement
- Tire pressure check and top-up
- Full inspection of braking system and adjustment to parking brake
- Reset service indicators
Service B
Service B is the second major service your Mercedes will see, which should be done at 20,000 miles or after the second year of ownership, and again every 20,000 miles or two years, and is comprised of:
- Engine oil and oil filter change
- Tire rotation
- Combination cabin filter change
- Suspension, steering and driveline inspection
- Leak check on all major assemblies
- Seat belt and buckle safety test
- Poly belt (also known as a serpentine belt) inspection
- Inspect tire sealant expiration
- Inspect and correct headlamp settings
Oil Changes
While Mercedes recommends a service every year or 10,000 miles, to ensure optimum engine health, a standard oil and oil filter change should still be done by a Mercedes Mechanic every service, falling on every 6 months or 5,000 miles.
Mercedes-Benz Inspections
Like any other car, your Mercedes-Benz comprises a lot of parts and components that are subject to wear, damage, and potential failure. While you may not notice a change in your Mercedes’ driving characteristics, due to some components wearing so gradually, a full inspection ensures these parts are identified and replaced before they have the chance to fail and leave you in an awkward situation.
Let’s look at some of the most common parts failures Mercedes-Benz technicians look for, and discuss how they fail.
Engine Mounts
Mercedes-Benz uses fluid-filled rubber engine mounts as they have proven to be the best at isolating engine vibrations from the cabin, while still being able to stiffen when you want to put the power to the ground.
Unfortunately, the proximity of engine mounts to your engine and exhaust means they are exposed to high levels of heat, which causes the rubber sections of mounts to harden over time. As the mounts harden, they become more susceptible to cracking which allows the fluid to leak out.
Not only does the leaking fluid cause a mess, but since nothing is supporting the structure of the mounts, they collapse, transferring more vibration to the cabin, and allowing the engine to rock and move, lowering performance.
If your Mercedes is idling rough and you feel more vibrations through your steering wheel it may be time for new engine mounts.
Misfires
A misfire is where the fuel that has been injected into the cylinder of the engine is either not ignited at all, or ignites too late, and often materializes as a loud bang from your exhaust or excessive black smoke, as the fuel burns up in the exhaust instead of the engine.
The most common cause of misfires is from worn or faulty spark plugs and ignition coils. Spark plugs are responsible for introducing a spark in the engine, igniting the fuel, and causing combustion, whereas coil parks provide the electricity the spark plugs need for ignition.
A failed spark plug may be creating too weak a spark to ignite the fuel, or not be able to create a spark at all. Similarly, a failed ignition coil may not be providing enough electricity to create a spark, or may have developed too much resistance that causes the electricity to be delivered to the spark plug too late in the combustion cycle.
While not mentioned in either service A or B, Mercedes-Benz does recommend that spark plugs and ignition coils be replaced every 50,000 miles.
Airmatic Issues
Airmatic is Mercedes-Benz’s name for its adjustable air suspension system. While it does offer a softer ride and height adjustment options than its shock and strut alternative, Airmatic systems are more problematic as they have more points of failure.
Airmatic systems can fail at several locations, namely the airlines, the airbag, and the air compressor. If an airline or bag fails, you’ll notice your Mercedes ride height drop over time, while if a compressor fails, you won’t be able to make any height adjustments. While compressors can be rebuilt, airlines and bags need to be completely replaced.
Mercedes Service Myths
One of the most common myths when it comes to your Mercedes Service and inspection is that it has to be done by a dealer to maintain your warranty. The truth is this is completely false. In the State of Florida, The Magnuson Moss Warranty Act allows consumers to have their vehicle inspected, serviced, and repaired by any certified repair shop, without it affecting your warranty.
Certified Mercedes Service Center In Pompano Beach
Foreign Affairs Motorwerks is South Florida’s go-to repair, service, and race prep facility for all things European. Our team of skilled technicians, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing have made us a go-to repair shop.
Call us at 954-746-0488 for all your Mercedes repair needs in Pompano Beach.