So, you’re finally at home, sitting on your couch, and still smiling about the fact that you now own your very own Mercedes. First of all, congratulations. You now own a vehicle from one of the best automobile brands that exists. Moreover, once you go Benz, you rarely go back.
Data from Statista tells us that 70% of U.S. consumers who owned a Benz indicated they’d like their next car to be a Mercedes as well. Moreover, sixty percent of Mercedes drivers are millennials, which shows that this is a brand that appeals to younger buyers, not usually known for brand loyalty.
That said, these are not exactly affordable cars for many, which means it’s a good idea to learn how to take care of them. Being a Merc owner means that you need to go the extra mile with “Tender Loving Care (TLC)”. In this article, let’s learn how.
Invest in a Good Cleaning Kit
The last thing you want to do is take dish soap and a rag to what’s essentially a luxury vehicle. You’ve got yourself a great car; now it’s time to take care of it, especially considering the upcoming design changes.
Recently, Mercedes has made the decision to bring back buttons. The company had been moving more and more toward a screen-focused control system, much to the annoyance of many drivers. Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group, was reported to have said that they need to take two steps backward to take one step forward. This was in the context of their change of heart, based on consumer feedback.
Of course, with buttons in the picture, cleaning dust becomes even more important. Even the most well-designed buttons will wear out over time, especially if not cleaned of dust and debris.
In addition to a good brush set, get yourself a few cans of compressed air and a leather conditioner. People forget that car seats need an equal amount of attention. Just remember to use products that won’t harm the fabric.
Find Great Mechanics and Service Technicians
Sometimes, no matter how good a job you do in maintaining your car, it can all be for nought if a mechanic makes a mistake. Soon, you’re speaking with the company rep and trying to see if the damages are going to be covered or not.
According to ConsumerReports.org, a good mechanic should be certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Michael Crossen, a certified master technician, advises people to first call up and make sure the mechanic has experience working on your car model.
Remember that a good mechanic will also be crucial if Mercedes performance upgrades & tuning installer are something you feel you’d want later. Even though these are luxury cars, there’s a lot you can do.
According to RevTech Performance, custom Electronic Control Unit and Transmission Control Unit tuning can help you get even more performance. Many Mercedes owners eventually make such tweaks to refine the already stellar performance.
After all, if you’ve paid a handsome amount of money for your car, why not make the best of it?
Learn Appropriate Driving Habits for Engine Health
One misconception that people have with cars from Mercedes or other luxury brands is that you can drive them any way you like. After all, the hardware is top-notch, right? Surely, it can handle some abuse? Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Even though quality standards are high, bad driving will damage the engine of a Mercedes just as it does with any other car.
So, what do good driving habits look like? Well, just like working out needs a good warm-up to keep you safe from injuries, your Mercedes can benefit from the same.
According to Joseph Henmueller, president and COO of the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association, oil is the lifeblood of an engine. He notes that fluids get thicker during colder weather, which is why running your engine for 60 – 120 seconds is important to keep everything lubricated.
Likewise, the kind of engines in a Mercedes benefit from longer, highway rides from time to time. If you’re constantly making short trips, it leads to a buildup of carbon and moisture in the oil, which isn’t ideal.
Ultimately, remember to have fun with your ride. The last thing you want is to be one of those people who get so obsessed with maintenance that they forget to enjoy their car. You don’t have to figure everything out in the first week. Take long trips and find out for yourself how your car responds to different situations. Soon, you’ll develop your own intuition on the best ways to take care of your Mercedes.
