Tech Q&A - Airbag recall,Tires and Batteries
Article Richard Simonds
Airbag recall?
Q: Many thanks for your terrific advice in The Star magazine. I have a question with respect to my R129 2000 SL500. I have not seen or heard of any recalls with respect to the airbags or airbag inflators. Is it possible I may have missed a recall notice or is it more likely that Mercedes did not use the same defective components that nearly all other automakers used at the time? Your input and insight is sincerely appreciated.
A: The best way to determine what airbag device is in your car is to go to the MBUSA special website and enter your VIN at https://www.mbusa.com/en/recall. Mercedes-Benz did use some Takata airbags. If you cannot find your car in the special website link (above) contact your dealer or, if you don't work with a Mercedes-Benz Authorized Dealer, contact MBUSA Customer Assistance Center in Atlanta, GA at 1-800-367-6372.
Battery and tire life?
Q: My Mercedes-Benz is just over five years old. I’ve heard several suggestions about when to replace batteries and tires. How long should my battery and tires last?
A: Your questions can best be answered with a vague “It depends.” Because batteries and tires are both considered “wear items,” here are some general guidelines.
First: Batteries. The factors affecting battery life are: what type of battery (lead-acid; absorbent-glass-mat (AGM), gel cell), how the cells are constructed (quality and type of material), how regularly and how long the car is driven (occasional short-distances with days or weeks between use, or daily use of at least 20 minutes), what the temperatures are when the car is used (both very hot and cold climates are hard on batteries). Given all these variables, a fairly good guide is to have your battery tested at regular services and to consider replacing it every four to six years for lead-acid batteries and every five to seven years for AGM or gel cell batteries. Batteries often fail in the winter.
Second: Tires. The factors affecting tire life are: the compound (softer rubber for performance or firmer rubber for general use), exposure to direct sun (ultraviolet light damages the rubber), maintenance (proper air pressure, proper wheel alignment), road conditions (well-maintained and smooth or potholes – especially damaging to low profile tires), and how the car is driven (acceleration and braking). A good guide is to have your tire pressure and tread wear checked at least every month to be sure the tires are wearing evenly. Replace tires when the remaining tread is at or below 3/32”, when UV exposure has caused severe sidewall cracking, sidewall damage (from a nail or other object), or if a pothole or a curb has caused damage. Finally, there is tire age. Replace your tires after 6-7 years of use at a minimum, more often if the tread is worn too thin or if there is damage. When you buy tires from a Mercedes-Benz dealer you can add Road Hazard Protection. On a new car Mercedes-Benz Financial offers First Class Wheel and Tire Protection Plus.
Keeping batteries charged
Q: As the Coronavirus has caused so many of us to shelter in place and severely restrict our travel to short trips for groceries and similar essential services, the batteries in our vehicles are not getting a full charge between uses. Our battery became so weak after a month of not driving that it could not provide enough power to start the engine. What can we do now that we’ve replaced the battery?
A: There are several factors to consider with batteries as mentioned above. The solutions are fairly simple. The easiest to do is start your car and let the engine run for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to open your garage door if the car is in a garage! This will keep the battery charged, but it does not keep the rest of the drivetrain in use and that can lead to its own problems. The next easiest is to use a modern “smart battery charger with a trickle-charge function.” The only one that is officially approved by MBUSA is carried by Authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealers Parts Departments. My dealership sells the unit for $139. I saw the same item on Amazon for $169.76 and Walmart for $167.99. There is a variety of smart battery chargers available in automobile supply stores for less money, but they are not approved for use on modern (2000s) Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
New Product: Battery Jumpstarter
The neatly packaged JumpSmart emergency jumpstart and power source is very reassuring to have in your trunk and around the house in case of power failures. It combines a 37,000 mWh jump starter, 330-lumen flashlight and multi-outlet USB power bank in one device. It easily jumpstarted the V-8 engine in a C55. The Smart Jumper Cables have 10 built-in safety features with audible and visual alarms to warn of any improper connection. The flashlight, with high, low, SOS, and strobe modes, has a 495ft range. The power bank charges smartphones and other devices fast with the patented SmartSpeed Technology at 2.4A output. Available through Amazon.com for $89.99.
Final Note from Richard Simonds
To all MBCA members who have followed this Technical Q&A column over the years, I thank you for your questions and your loyalty. This is my last column. I’m making lifestyle changes, moving to another state, and with different priorities for my time. Please use the MBCA Technical Forums, the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center USA in Irvine, CA, your Authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, and your independent Mercedes-Benz shop for technical support until The Star magazine appoints a new Technical Advisor. Richard Simonds