Summer has drawn to a close and autumn is here. Winter is just around the corner, and, judging by the extreme weather conditions we’ve witnessed in recent times, it may just be an icy one.
So how can you prepare as a Mercedes driver, and how will rock bottom temperatures affect your vehicle? How do you undertake extreme cold-weather car care?
Luckily, the team at Dronsfields specialise in the maintenance of Mercedes vehicles and know exactly how to take care of your Mercedes Benz in extremely cold weather. Read on for a brief guide, including our top winter car care tips.
How To Take Care Of Your Mercedes Benz In Extreme Cold Weather
The best approach to extreme cold weather car care is to follow these steps diligently:
Have your car serviced before winter strikes
Keep an eye on your battery and invest in jump leads
Get hold of some low viscosity oil
Keep your antifreeze topped up
Keep your fuel tank topped up
Carry spare fuel and a breakdown kit
Regularly check your heating system
Keep checking your tyres and invest in winter tyres and/or snow chains
Maintain good visibility
We’ll explain a little more about each of these below.
Our Mercedes Benz Winter Car Care Tips
In case you find yourself having to drive in sub-zero temperatures as the final months of the year draw in, it’s important to educate yourself on extreme cold-weather car care well in advance.
Book a specialist Mercedes service
Many mechanical issues with your vehicle will be exacerbated by the cold – particularly problems with tyre pressure, visibility and fluid levels. Getting these seen to by an expert before the temperature drops can be the perfect way to ensure your Mercedes runs smoothly all winter.
It’s also worth asking your mechanic to take a look at your car’s serpentine belt, as it can become brittle in the cold. Older belts are more likely to break, so you should look into getting yours replaced if it seems worn.
Book a service with Mercedes specialists Dronsfield today.
Check your battery
Batteries can easily fall victim to extreme cold. The best way to prevent yours from dying is to first check that it is clean and free of corrosion and that all connections are as tight as they should be.
While we can’t guarantee that this will mean your car starts every time throughout winter, it will certainly make it more likely.
You can also plan for the worst by purchasing jump leads to use if your car’s battery has totally given up the ghost.
Click here to find out how you can jump-start a Mercedes.
Use low viscosity oil
Swapping your regular engine oil out for something of lower-viscosity can prevent it from thickening due to freezing temperatures. If it gets extremely cold, your engine will find it difficult to circulate the resulting thick oil – so this is a good way to prevent that kind of problem.
Add more antifreeze
It’s the time of year when antifreeze shines, so failing to keep yours topped up would be quite a mistake! Remember, don’t just top up with water as this makes freezing much more likely.
The ingredients of your coolant should ideally be 50% water and 50% antifreeze.
Don’t let your fuel run low
Keeping your fuel tank at least half full will prevent ice from developing in the line. It will also help your car to handle the inevitable queues that form as a result of poor driving conditions.
Carry spare fuel (and a breakdown kit!)
In case of emergencies – say you’re stuck in crawling traffic – it’s vital to ensure you have access to extra fuel, so always carry at least a spare quarter of a tank.
You should also make sure you have a breakdown kit in your boot at all times in case your car falls foul of the low temperatures when you’re out and about.
Make sure your car’s internal heating system works
While this is very important for your own comfort and wellbeing, there is another reason to check your heaters and blowers regularly during winter. They’re often vital in defrosting your windscreen, thus saving you from some potentially perilous situations.
At the same time, using them too much can run your already struggling battery down – so take care!
Pay attention to your tyres
The air in your tyres will contract when exposed to extreme cold, which can lead to reduced pressure. Keep checking this to make sure you remain at the recommended levels.
You may also wish to get hold of specialist Mercedes winter tyres with improved grip – or even fit snow chains to reduce the possibility of skidding, sliding or becoming stuck.
Ensure good visibility
Windscreens can easily freeze and wipers are a nightmare for spreading grit and salt. Keep your washer fluid topped up at all times (add a little antifreeze to help melt ice) and make sure your wipers are always in tip-top condition.
Never drive if you can’t see clearly using your windscreen or mirrors.
When is it Too Cold For Your Car?
As far as our research has shown, there has been no official temperature recorded that represents the point where it becomes “too cold” for any car.
Of course, if you do not follow the winter car care tips listed above, breakdowns and handling issues will become much more likely. Try not to drive if conditions look dangerous and always make sure your vehicle is stocked with supplies such as blankets, a breakdown kit and spare fuel.
Certain Mercedes models come with a “winter package”, including an independent heater that runs on your fuel to defrost windows and warm up your car. Usefully, it includes an automatic timer that you can set yourself.
You should now have a clearer idea of how to take care of your Mercedes Benz in extremely cold weather. Getting it serviced in good time, keeping on top of the condition of your battery, choosing the right type of oil, managing your antifreeze and fuel levels, carrying the right supplies and regularly checking your heating system, tyres and visibility will help your car to survive the winter in good condition.
Book a pre-winter service with the Mercedes experts at Dronsfields today. We’ll be more than happy to get your car cold-weather ready.