Ask a Service Technician a Question

Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale Service: Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Should I Change My Tires?

Your tires have a lot to do with the overall health of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Poorly-inflated and misaligned tires don't only affect your safety, but the safety of others around you, as well. Not to mention, properly-inflated and correctly aligned tires improve fuel efficiency and performance. But how often should you replace your tires?

Mercedes-Benz recommends their original and original extended tires are replaced approximately every 50,000 miles or every six years. There are, however, a number of variables that will affect exactly when you should replace your tires. If you notice cracks, gouges or bulges in your tire's sidewall, it's a good sign that tire is dangerous and needs to be replaced. Additionally, you should keep an eye on your tire's tread. You can easily test how worn your tires are with a penny. Place the penny upside down between the tread; if you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time for new tires.

There are a number of other warning signs that your tires need to be replaced, including slow, but constant pressure loss, unusual vibrations and more. If you know it's been a while since you've had your Mercedes-Benz vehicle's tires replaced, or if you're not sure and just want to be safe, stop in to the Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale Tire Center. 

How Do I Know When I Need An Oil Change?

Your vehicle's motor oil does a lot to ensure the performance of your Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Making sure you have clean oil thanks to regularly-schedule oil changes will do a lot to make sure your vehicle performs at its highest level. How often you need an oil change varies from vehicle-to-vehicle and driver-to-driver. Drivers are advised to check their service manual for your vehicle's requirements.

Most Mercedes-Benz models made from 2009-to-now require an oil change once a year - or once every 10,000 miles. For a vehicle's first service (or 10,000 miles), the Mercedes-Benz A Service Package, which includes synthetic motor oil and filter replacement, fluid level checks and corrections, tire inflation check and correction and brake inspection, is recommended. For follow-up services (or 20,000 miles), the Mercedes-Benz B Service Package, which includes synthetic motor oil, oil filter and cabin filter replacement, fluid level checks and corrections, tire inflation check and correction, brake inspection and fluid change, is recommended. Your Mercedes-Benz vehicle's Flexible Service System.

Price advertised for Service A/Service B includes all factory required components. MY 2009 and newer Please refer to your maintenance booklet for the complete list of factory-required services and details on the specific intervals for your vehicle’s year and model.

How Do I Know When I Need To Replace My Brakes and Brake Pads?

Most people don't think about their brakes and brake pads until something goes wrong. Keeping up with routine and scheduled maintenance will keep your vehicle running smoothly and safely. Not to mention that when you keep up with regular maintenance, you can often avoid bigger and more costly repairs.

There are a number of indicators that can tell you it may be time to have your brakes looked at, including your brakes lacking responsiveness. Other indicators include loud grinding noises, vibrations or having your vehicle pull to one side of the road. If you notice that it takes more and more pressure to stop your vehicle, don't hesitate to get your vehicle checked out. While having unresponsive brakes is sometimes just seen as an inconvenience, it's also very unsafe in a situation requiring a quick and firm response.

You can use your senses to determine how healthy your brakes and brake pads are, too. Loud noises, the smell of burning or the sight of pads being worn down should give you a clear indication your brakes need maintenance.

Bring your Mercedes-Benz vehicle in to the Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale service center to have our knowledgeable team of trained mechanics take a closer look at your vehicle's brakes.

Why Do My Windshield Wiper Blades Keep Wearing Out?

Windshield wipers can be both extremely convenient and extremely frustrating at the same time. Your wipers really have the toughest job on your vehicle, as they are the one motorized part of your car that is directly exposed to the weather. As a result of this, there are a number of variables that affect how long windshield wiper blades last before they need to be replaced.

Because wiper blades are exposed to the weather at all times, the location in which you drive will have the biggest impact on your wiper blades' lifespan. While Arizona may not get a lot of inclement weather, it does get more abrasive sunlight than almost anywhere in the country. Because wiper blades are coated with rubber, the longer they are exposed to the oppressive Arizona heat, the faster the rubber will wear down, either cracking or tearing. Unfortunately for drivers, what's underneath the rubber of the wiper blades is metal, which - of course - you don't want scraping your windshield back and forth.

You'll know you need new wiper blades when you notice more and more smudging as you try to clean your windshield. You may even hear some scraping or rubbing noises when your wiper blades need replacing.

Not sure how to replace your wiper blades? Don't know which ones to get? Worry not. Stop in with your vehicle to the Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale service center and let our knowledgeable team help you with all of your automotive needs.

How Can I Get Better Gas Mileage?

Just because Mercedes-Benz vehicles are built with performance and luxury in mind, doesn't mean that owners aren't concerned about fuel costs or emissions. While Mercedes-Benz vehicles are designed to optimize efficiency, there are still a number of simple steps you can take to maximize your engine's efficiency.

The easiest step you can take to improve fuel efficiency is to simply drive more efficiently. Everyone knows that rapid acceleration and slamming on your brakes will hurt your fuel economy, but not everyone may know that the faster you drive, the worse your gas mileage actually becomes. Gas mileage decreases once your car drives over 50 miles per hour, and once you're over 70 miles per hour, it rapidly decreases.

Another tip to help improve fuel economy is to keep your car clean. Remove excess weight and cargo to make your engine work less. Clean can also refer to your engine, as clean motor oil flows much more quickly and smoothly than dirty and old oil. Keeping your tires properly inflated will also help to keep your engine running efficiently and without extra effort.

The best way to save money at the pump going forward is with a new Mercedes-Benz model. New Mercedes-Benz vehicles offer a number of innovative and efficient powertrains that don't even require gasoline in the first place. To learn more about Mercedes-Benz fuel economy, talk to a member of the Mercedes-Benz Arrowhead service center.

Does My Mercedes-Benz Model Require Synthetic Oil?

You may have wondered why your Mercedes-Benz model requires the more expensive synthetic oil. Well, first, it's important to know that your extra money isn't going to waste! The health of your vehicle has a lot to do with the quality and health of the oil you use. You see, oil does a lot for your vehicle. Not only does it lubricate all of the moving parts, it cools down your engine, preventing it from overheating and causing expensive damage. The dirtier your motor oil becomes, the less effective it gets at cleaning and protecting your engine.

For Mercedes-Benz models that are from 2010 onward require an oil change every 10,000 miles (or once a year) as a result of the high-quality synthetic oil that is required. Not only does synthetic oil better protect your engine, it lasts longer, too! And it isn't just Mercedes-Benz models that benefit from synthetic oil; all vehicles can see increased performance and added protection with a high-quality synthetic oil. In the Arizona heat, you need an oil that is strong and won't break down. Synthetic oil flows best in extreme temperatures both hot and cold.

In the end, synthetic oil - though a bit more costly - gives you and your vehicle the most value and benefit. It even lasts longer than conventional oil, so spending a few more dollars at each oil change will allow you to break even in the long run, anyways.

When your vehicle needs its next oil change, don't forget about us at Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale. Let our knowledgeable and friendly service team take care of your vehicle today

How Do I Prevent My Vehicle From Overheating?

The Scottsdale, AZ sun can be tough on vehicles! Extreme temperatures can put your engine to the test, so you'll want to be prepared in case of overheating! 

While there's not one way to definitively prevent your engine from overheating, making sure that the engine's oil has been recently changed and that the fluids are topped off can make a world of difference. Without clean and highly-viscous engine oil, your vehicle's engine will not be properly lubricated and will run the risk of overheating.

One tip, if you notice your engine's temperature rise while driving, is to switch off the air conditioner and turn on the heater. The use of the heater - despite what you may think - will help to cool the engine by drawing heat away from it. If this doesn't work, however, you'll want to pull over as soon as its safe. 

Once your vehicle is pulled over, you'll want to allow your engine to cool down. Be careful when opening your hood, however. If you do not have a hood that unlatches automatically, you'll want to wait about 20 minutes or so to avoid the risk of being badly burned by the steam of the overheated engine. Once your engine has cooled enough, you'll want to remove the radiator and check the level of your coolant (antifreeze). Low coolant is often the cause of engine overheating, so we recommend carrying an extra bottle of coolant in your trunk just in case. 

To make sure your vehicle is prepared for the summer heat, bring it down to the Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale service center and let one of our knowledgeable and friendly technicians take a look!

How Do You Prepare Your Vehicle For Long-Term Storage?

Arizona is home to a diverse population thanks to its amazing weather and location! As a result, there are a lot of folks who only call Scottsdale home for a season or two every year. We often get asked: "How do I store my vehicle when I'm not driving it?" 

First, we recommend cleaning your vehicle inside and out. Any excess moisture and debris can lead to fast-spreading rust. If you plan to keep your vehicle in storage for more than a few months, you should consider adding a fuel stabilizer to your full tank of gasoline. This will keep your fuel lines free from corrosions and protect your engine, as well. Longer storage times will require you to top off your fluids and have your oil changed.

Next, you'll want to make sure to inflate your tires. The Arizona sun will affect your tires' PSI while it sits. If possible, place your vehicle on jack stands to avoid any spot balding. You may also want to remove the battery if you're storing your vehicle for more than a few months, as batteries corrode and lose their charge over time if they aren't used.

We also recommend purchasing a high-quality cover for your vehicle while it is in storage and to plug any pipes with rags to keep out small animals.

Contact us or stop down to the Mercedes-Benz of Scottsdale Service Center to let a friendly and skilled member of our service team help you with all of your maintenance needs!