Mercedes Service Checklist And Why Routine Maintenance Is Important
Owning a Mercedes-Benz implies that you have a great appreciation for luxury, performance, engineering excellence, and legacy. If you plan the peak performance that your vehicle can deliver for many years to come then routine maintenance must be a hallmark of your ownership journey.
In the world of motoring many people have opinions on what is best for a motor car’s performance and maintenance. However, when it comes to the class and quality of engineering commensurate with Mercedes-Benz, it’s best to leave that to the professionals.
This article outlines a comprehensive Mercedes service checklist and delves into the critical reasons why regular servicing is essential.
The Importance of Routine Mercedes Service
A routine maintenance schedule is a good idea on any machine with moving parts whether it’s your Rolex or your Mercedes-Benz. Dirt and dust find their way into the corners of the working parts and friction also plays a negative role if lubrication is not optimal. Here are a few reasons why we at Foreign Affairs Motorsports regard a routing service schedule as paramount.
Preservation Of Vehicle Value
The resale value of your Mercedes-Benz will be maintained (and often improved) if you can provide provenance of a regular service history. A well-maintained vehicle with a documented service history is significantly more attractive to potential buyers.
Optimizing Performance
Timely service ensures that your vehicle’s engine, transmission, and other components operate at their optimal efficiency, delivering the smooth, powerful performance you expect from a Mercedes-Benz. It won’t do to have a Mercedes-Benz that is all bark and no bite.
Enhancing Safety
Personal safety as well as that of your loved ones and other drivers on the road is vitally important. Regular inspections and replacements of worn parts, such as brakes and tires, ensure that your vehicle is operating within the safest parameters possible.
Prevention Of Costly Repairs
Maintenance conducted at regular intervals can highlight issues early on, and help you avoid expensive repairs. Major breakdowns could occur if you neglect to maintain your vehicle regularly and they come with exorbitant repair costs. For example, it’s easier and much cheaper to lubricate a set of bearings than it is to replace them.
Peace of Mind
While peace of mind is an intangible benefit, it’s probably most valuable to motoring enthusiasts. Knowing that your Mercedes-Benz is in top condition provides the peace of mind that allows you to enjoy worry-free driving experiences.
Mercedes Service Checklist
Now that we have identified the benefits of carrying out regular service for your Mercedes-Benz, let’s take a look at the specific intervals and items. Sticking to these will ensure your Mercedes receives the care it deserves. You can use the following as a checklist to go over with your auto shop:
Oil Change and Filter Replacement
Interval: Every 7,500 to 10,000 miles or annually, whichever comes first.
Oil and other lubricants prevent moving parts from experiencing too much wear. The friction is greatly reduced by the oil molecules forming a protective layer between two surfaces. However, over time the oil can become clogged with carbon and other impurities that degrade the lubricating effect of the oil. Due to this build up, it’s important to change the oil as well as the filters so that the impurities are removed and the fresh new oil can do what it was designed to do.
Tire Rotation and Balancing
Interval: Every 6,000 to 10,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Tires don’t wear evenly as the road surfaces that we drive on are slightly curved to allow for drainage and the wheels themselves have a camber that affects how they travel on the road. A useful means of prolonging the tread on your tires and keeping them even is to rotate them. Another aspect to prolong tread wear is keeping your wheels balanced. Balanced wheels spin more true which gives a good even wear across the entire tread surface.
Brake Inspection and Replacement
Interval: Every 6,000 to 20,000 miles or when deemed necessary.
Brakes are the essential safety component for your motor car. Without brakes, your car is nothing more than a ballistic weapon. In order to keep yourself and other safe, worn brake pads and rotors should be replaced promptly. Shuddering while braking is also a sign that your brake rotors or discs need replacing.
Fluid Level Checks
Interval: At each service interval.
When it comes to fluids for motor cars there are three main roles that they serve:
- Cooling – engine coolant
- Lubrication – Oil
- Hydraulic pressure – Brake fluid, power steering fluid, and automatic transmission fluid
It’s essential to ensure that these are at the right levels as in the case of low coolant your car will overheat; low oil will mean your engine parts experience wear and could seize; low brake fluid and automatic transmission fluid means that those components will not work properly and pose significant dangers and repair costs.
Air Filter Replacement
Interval: Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles or when deemed necessary.
Just like we need oxygen, so does your car’s engine. Your Mercedes needs to have the best airflow into each cylinder to deliver the expected performance. Dust and other contaminants clog up the air filter eventually which reduces airflow. These filters are vital in keeping small particles out of the engine and contribute to the longevity of the engine.
Battery & Alternator Inspection / Replacement
Interval: Annually or or when deemed necessary.
With so many electrical systems in a Mercedes-Benz, you need a healthy battery and charging system to keep them working as designed. You want to make sure that the car is going to start every time and that all the systems are performing to specification.
Belt & Hose Inspection / Replacement
Interval: Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or or when deemed necessary.
The engine timing as well as various pumps on the car are driven by belts. If any of these become damaged, it exposes your Mercedes to significant and even catastrophic damage. If they fail completely, you may kiss your engine goodbye. The same is true for hoses as they circulate the coolant throughout the engine. A leaking hose can lead to the engine overheating and also can end up in engine loss if left unchecked.
Spark Plug Replacement
Interval: Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or as recommended by the manufacturer.
Spark plugs create the explosions that make your car drive so they need to operate at their best. If your Mercedes seems to be a bit sluggish, or even if you notice that your fuel economy has taken a dive, then you should replace your spark plugs. The emissions can also take a nosedive as the spark plugs keep the combustion optimal.
Fuel System Cleaning
Interval: Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles or when deemed necessary.
Fuel filters are another line of defense for your engine as they keep out any impurities that might be present in the fuel. They can also become clogged which will affect fuel delivery from the tank to the injectors so it’s important to have this checked regularly.
Wheel Alignment and Balancing
Interval: Every 10,000 to 20,000 miles or when deemed necessary.
Wheel alignment keeps your car driving straight and true according to the direction given via the steering wheel. If your car tends to veer to the side of a road or you find you have to keep the wheel turned to drive straight then your alignment is out and needs attention. Wheels that are out of alignment also create uneven wear on your tires and can damage your tires significantly.
South Florida’s Finest Mercedes Service Center: Foreign Affairs Motorsports
When it comes to servicing your Mercedes-Benz, it’s crucial to choose a reputable service center. At Foreign Affairs Motorsports, we take pride in being South Florida’s premier European auto repair, performance, and race facility. Whether you’re looking to have a Mercedes-Benz’ “Service A” for every 10,000 miles or their 20,000 mile “Service B”, we’ve got you covered.
Call us at 954-746-0488 to secure your appointment.