When it comes to looking after your Mercedes Benz, some persistent issues can turn into major problems if you leave them idle, so it’s always best to get your vehicle regularly serviced and maintained to the best of your ability.

If your car is starting to run a bit sluggish or there is a change in the way it drives, you may want to look into doing some basic troubleshooting prior to taking it in for a mechanic to look over. This troubleshooting also comes under the banner of maintenance, so chances are if you haven’t been performing these checks before, you may want to start.

Check your oil level

It might not seem like a big issue, but not changing or topping up your oil can often lead to serious consequences, such as the complete failure of your car’s engine. Oil is required to lubricate essential engine components and over time it can become dirty or dry up altogether, leaving these components to wear down and become faulty.

Thankfully, checking your oil is very straightforward on most Mercedes models’, so it’s worth doing at least once a month.

Dipstick Method

The traditional method used on most cars is simply by using the dipstick:

1. Make sure your car is parked on a level surface
2. Open the bonnet
3. Locate the oil dipstick using the manual (though it should be clearly marked)
4. Pull out and clean off excess oil
5. Reinsert dipstick and push all the way in
6. Remove once more and check that the oil level is in between the two markers
7. If it is too low, top up with more oil

Dashboard Method

In addition, on some Mercedes cars you can also use an electronic sensor that is hooked up to your dashboard, allowing you to check the oil level without even having to open the bonnet.

1. Park your car on a level surface and make sure the engine has been off for a few hours
2. Turn the ignition to position 2 (without turning on the engine) and use the correct multifunction button to select an oil level check
3. The display will show ‘Correct Measurement only if Vehicle Level’
4. The display will then show if the oil is OK or is LOW.
5. If it is low, top up with more oil and check again.

Check the Battery

Another vital component of your vehicle is the battery, though a faulty battery is usually evident in your vehicle not starting at all. However, if you think your battery might be getting old or not performing as it should, you can always check it. Other signs that your battery is faulty include:

– The engine revving and taking longer to turn on
– Electric components of the car are slow to work or stop working
– A light comes on your car dashboard indicating poor battery performance

If you get any of the aforementioned warning signs then you can check your battery at home using a multimeter (the required levels should be listed in your owner’s manual), but the best way to solve the issue is to take it straight in for a mechanic to diagnose and potentially replace.

Check the brake fluid

General vehicle guidelines state that brake fluid should be changed or replaced every two years as it can often boil off due to higher temperatures, but there’s no harm in checking the fluid levels in between these times if you think you may have an issue. Low brake fluid is usually indicated by:

– The brake light appearing on your dashboard
– A burning smell coming from the wheel area
– A grinding noise every time you apply the brakes
– Vibration or wobbling of the vehicle when applying the brakes
– Car veering to one side when applying the brakes

If any of the aforementioned issues occur, try and check the brake fluid level that should be accessible under your bonnet. There should be clear markings indicating the minimum and maximum levels so make sure to top it up or replace it if necessary. If your car has annual services then this should be dealt with then – if you have low brake fluid in between these times it could indicate a leak.

Get in touch with Dronsfields today regarding new and used parts for your Mercedes Benz.