Turning a key in your Mercedes Benz’s ignition causes a number of systems to kick into action. The starter system activates the engine. The engine system turns petrol into mechanical energy to turn the wheels that make your Mercedes go zoom, while the electrical system ensures all components such as lights, computer and on board instruments work flawlessly. What one does not usually expect is that the vehicle remains unresponsive – unable to spring into action upon command, especially if it is a renowned luxury brand such as Mercedes. There are several things the car owner can do to prevent this, with one of the most important being regular car servicing at a Mercedes Singapore service centre or a qualified third-party workshop to keep his ride in good shape. This ensures each of the 8 systems that keep a car running smoothly, remains trouble free.
What is included in Mercedes service packages
This quarter yearly inconvenience staves off greater inconvenience further down the road by extending the service life of the vehicle and its effectiveness by addressing any problems that are detected during the checks carried out during servicing. For a Mercedes, car service on a regular basis is important for 2 key reasons. These are performance vehicles that operate according to precise German standards within a given set of operation parameters, with an emphasis on performance that Mercedes is famous for. Depending on how it is driven, this generally puts greater strain on the mechanical components, especially in intermittent city-type traffic and in tropical conditions that are both hot and humid. Preventative maintenance is therefore a very important aspect of car ownership and regular servicing, integral to proper, uninterrupted function.
Vehicle servicing can be purchased as a package which throws in incentives like savings on a bundle price and freebies or it can be obtained as individual servicing sessions. In both cases, there is a relatively standard set of checks and procedures that are carried out.
Mercedes service packages usually include the following:
Functionality Checks
Wiper
- Horn
- Headlamp and signal lights
- Tyre
- Belt condition
Replacement and Top-up
Changing engine oil
- Changing air filter
- Replacing spark plugs
- Replacing engine coolant
- Replacing brake fluid
- Replacing power-steering fluid
Diagnostic Tests
What Could Go Wrong without Maintenance
It seems everyone knows of that one friend who has an absolutely hand-off approach with his car. It never gets washed and goes years without servicing. In spite of this, it seems to run without a hitch, day after day. However, what goes on underneath the hood could tell a different story and the car could be just a day away from a catastrophic breakdown.
Servicing essentially comprises 2 areas which is replacing consumable items such as fluids and items worn out through usage and the other is to detect abnormalities or problems that are not yet critical but will lead to complications. Examples such as a worn out alternator belt, damaged suspension or cracked CV boot would not immediately cause a car to stall but it would result in serious problems if left unattended for some time. Technicians could also fine tune computer controlled actions such as the firing of the spark plug at the most optimal time, to get the best performance of the vehicle.
Among the standard items that are changed (~10,000km) during every service appointment is engine oil. Along with that at slightly different intervals (~30,000km), engine coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid and power steering fluid. Without engine oil, the engine would be damaged as there is no lubrication as the piston moves inside the combustion chamber. The constant rubbing would compromise the tight seal around the chamber, resulting in a loss of power and eventually a damaged engine. Lack of coolant in the radiator leads to overheating and causes the car to stall. Insufficient transmission fluid causes rough gear changes, while brakes and power steering would be lost without the appropriate fluids for both, potentially leading to serious accidents. Aside from that, damage caused to these components can also be costly to fix or replace, definitely a lot more expensive than paying for regular maintenance.
Tyres are seldom given significant thought and more often only looked at only when there is a flat but it is one of the most critical components of ongoing care in any car. Pattern of wear gives a good indication on how a car is running and what condition its systems are in. For example, uneven wear patterns could point towards an issue with wheel alignment, tire balancing, or even suspension problems. Keeping tyres inflated to the recommended pressure level, balanced, rotated, and wheels properly aligned, can help avoid the extremely dangerous occurrence of blowouts at high speeds.
Other critical parts of the car are the battery, alternator, brakes, and suspension. During regular servicing, these should be checked for its condition. Any one of these items in a faulty condition would cause the car to break or be dangerous to operate. Finally with many modern Mercedes models, the Electronic Control Units are akin to the brains of the whole machine. Several systems such as the electronic fuel injection (EFI) system, to the in-car entertainment, to the advanced safety features and sensors that enhance safety when driving on the road are controlled by an electronic control unit. A service technician with the appropriate diagnostic tools are able to fine tune the settings to ensure everything is working well.
In summary, there are many advantages to visiting the Mercedes service center that make the expense worthwhile. The risks of not servicing one’s vehicle is the incurrence of extra cost. A well serviced car can consume fuel more efficiently, using less petrol. It also puts less strain on mechanical parts, enabling them to last longer before having to be replaced. Performance can also be compromised on a car that is infrequently serviced as parts that need to be changed due to wear and tear or damage continue to be used. A Mercedes with compromised parts may potentially lead to compromised safety as well, as the behaviour changes and becomes unpredictable. Even when a vehicle is going to be sold off, regular servicing pays dividends. A car in better condition and with proper service records would be able to fetch a better second hand.
A little goes a long way to maintaining the condition of a Mercedes or any car for that matter. Regular servicing may seem like a lot of money to spend at that point in time but it saves much more in the long run.
