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Jerry Cole

Do It Yourself

by Jerry Cole

Maintenance Basics


You have heard it somewhere before. There is more to maintaining a car than just adding gasoline. Maybe it was from a parent or a driver’s-ed teacher, but you know you’ve heard it before. This article is a basic review of those things. Consider this one of those tests with an answer key, which I encourage you to use: It’s the car owner’s manual, and most of the answers are within.

Look your engine over. Look at the hoses and belts. Are the hoses swollen, cracked or showing signs of leakage? Are the belts cracked? Because all cars behave differently, a good rule of thumb is to check fluid levels each time you fill your fuel tank. If the condition never seems to change, lengthen the check-up interval. Always check them before a major trip.

Engine oil: Check it on level land with the engine either cold or having been shut off for five minutes. The level on the dipstick should be between the minimum and maximum marks. If the oil level reaches the min mark, add a quart.

Coolant level: Never remove the radiator cap or coolant-reservoir cap when the engine is hot: The system is under pressure and removing the cap when hot could lead to serious burns. Feel the upper radiator hose. If it’s hot, do not remove the radiator cap. In a Mercedes-Benz vehicle with a plastic coolant reservoir, you can see the coolant level through the reservoir. Keep the level in the reservoir between minimum and maximum. In older Mercedes cars with no reservoir, check the coolant level by removing the radiator cap. The coolant should be just below the bottom of the filler neck. Use the proper coolant for your Mercedes. Straight coolant is designed to be mixed 50/50 with water or as directed for extreme climates.

Brake fluid: Mercedes vehicles have plastic brake-fluid reservoirs. You can see the brake-fluid level without opening it up. Again, maintain fluid level between the min and max marks that are printed on the side. If you need to add brake fluid, consult your manual or read the cap on the reservoir to determine the proper fluid needed. Do not overfill. Wipe the cap and top of the reservoir before opening to prevent any dirt from getting in the reservoir when you remove the cap.

Power steering fluid: There is a little dipstick on the reservoir cap. Keep the fluid level between minimum and maximum. This should require very little maintenance, so if you find yourself needing to add any significant amount of fluid, it’s time to start looking for leaks.

Tire pressure: Somewhere on your Mercedes – inside the gas door, the glove box door, or on the door pillar – there is a sticker that displays tire pressures for the front and rear tires. Check tire pressure with a gauge that you know is correct and add air if necessary. On 2008 and newer cars, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System will let you know when pressures are off by not much more than a pound. Check the spare as well; it’s useless if it’s flat.

Wheel lug-bolt torque: The proper torque for lug bolts is listed in the owner’s manual or can be looked at a reliable source. Be aware of the units of measure, which could be listed in Newton-meters or foot-pounds. They are not the same and it is important to get it right. Chances are, if you have a torque wrench, it measures in foot-pounds and you will have to convert if the only spec you can get is in Newton-meters. Check the torque right after the lug bolts have been removed for any reason, periodically thereafter and before any major trip.

The information on fluid types and corresponding amounts, tire pressures and more is right at your fingertips. This is one of the few times when peeking at the answers – a.k.a. your owner’s manual – and getting familiar with the contents is encouraged; it could keep you from being that person you see alongside the road – finally reading the car’s owner manual to pass the time – waiting for a tow.
 
Check these regularly:

[1] Engine oil level.



[2] Engine oil fill cap.



[3] Windshield washer reservoir level.



[4] Brake fluid level.



[5] Power steering fluid level.



6] Check tire pressure with an accurate gauge and add air as needed.



Of course, in older models these caps and reservoirs may be made from different materials, be in different locations and have different appearances, so check your manual.