We don’t want to see you or your car on the side of the road this winter season. The best way to avoid any issues is to make sure your car is ready to take on whatever the next few months have in store. So before things get really rough, here are 5 simple winter car care tips that will help you and your car be ready for the colder months ahead.
Having to wait for a jump in the middle of the cold and possibly snow is up there with the worst things to happen in winter. If you don’t check your battery before the cold weather sets in, you’re really taking a gamble. The extreme cold that we tend to see can make it difficult for your battery to operate. And the last thing you want is to come back to your car left in a cold parking lot and find it dead leaving you with no heat. The best advice you’ll get today is to get a volt test on your battery now. This will tell you what the health of your battery looks like and whether or not you should invest in a new battery.
When it comes to driving in winter, the quality of your tires is paramount. But it’s not just about what kind of tires you have but keeping an eye on your tire pressure as well. Investing in winter tires or all-season tires is a great idea and one we highly recommend. You want something that you can rely on for snow, rain, mud, and anything else you may encounter this year. However, something that gets overlooked often is tire pressure. As the air gets colder, tire pressure can drop up to one pound per square inch with every 10-degree drop. Keep an eye on your tire pressure and make sure you fill them if they are looking low.
Every fluid in your car is going to help it perform the best it can during the colder months. For this reason, it’s very important that all of your fluid levels are good and fresh. Change your oil and filters if it’s coming near time, flush and refill your coolant/antifreeze, and fill your windshield wiper fluid. Doing all of these now will ensure that your car works the way it should even when temperatures drop.
This may seem like a weird thing to do, but it’s surprisingly important. However, this is something that you should do throughout the winter months. As more snow hits the roads, the county will salt those roads in an effort to keep them as clear as possible. But that salt will also end up on your car, especially all over your undercarriage. While the salt really helps the roads, it can wreak havoc on your car and cause rust. That is unless you give it a good wash after a big snow. Both an automatic and manual wash will work, as long as you can hit your undercarriage well.
Everything is all fun and games until your car dies in the middle of a snowstorm. Whether you slid on ice or something happened with your engine, or maybe even ran out of gas, having an emergency kit may just save your life. Depending on the weather and where you are, you definitely need to be prepared for anything. Here are some things you should have packed:
Winter can be a crazy time, but making your vehicle winter ready ahead of time can go a long way. These are just a couple of things you can do, but there’s always more. Do your research and talk with our fantastic service technicians about what you should have done before the colder months are on top of us. Be smart and stay safe this holiday season!
It’s always a good feeling when you have the opportunity to help out a group of exceptional people. Having that support be mutually beneficial is just as great! That’s why we’re so happy to showcase our new long-term relationship with Archbishop Moeller High School!
Archbishop Moeller High School has been forming students into remarkable men for over 60 years. Opening its doors in 1960, Moeller High School has been the alma mater for more than 12,000 young men in the greater Cincinnati and Hamilton County area. Using their faith as the foundation, Moeller has been able to successfully create a culture rooted in academic excellence, service to others, family spirit, and the ability to adapt for life.
This sponsorship does more than support something like a sports team or a singular department. Our sponsorship of Archbishop Moeller High School will be used to support the school as a whole through tuition assistance. Many students who attend private schools are only able to do so thanks to financial aid from donors and sponsors. With our three-year-long sponsorship, more students will have the opportunity to be a part of the Moeller family.
At Mercedes-Benz of West Chester, we are always looking for new ways to better our community and our new relationship with Archbishop Moeller is exactly the opportunity we love to take hold of. If you want to learn about how you can support Moeller High School, visit their website at www.moeller.org. To learn more about our other community sponsorships, look at our blog!
Ohio is known for a lot, and Cincinnati is definitely one of them! Experiencing this great city can be an absolute blast, but not without its caveats. Parking, like in most big cities, can be a bit of an annoyance.
As a West Chester resident, you know that parking downtown can be hard to come by, especially on weekends. With street parking as one of only a few options available to you, it's simply an unavoidable part of your life behind the wheel. So, if you have to park on the street, you may as well stay safe. Below are some basic things every Mercedes-Benz of West Chester driver can do to ensure the safety of their vehicle when parking on the street.
Having to parallel park on a busy street can certainly be nerve-wracking. In fact, parallel parking is something that many drivers struggle with, but it’s still an important skill to master. So, how comfortable are you with parallel parking? More importantly, can you parallel park? Because if the answer to either of these questions is no, you may want to just pony up the twenty-or-so bucks required to gain access to an oversaturated parking garage. However, if you have the mettle to take on the tall task of parallel parking on a busy city street, keep reading.
With more and more people moving to major metropolitan areas each year, parking in areas like Dayton is getting harder and harder to find, while inventory for car thieves has never been higher. However, if you follow these steps, you can rest easy knowing that you've done all you can to protect your car while it's parked on the street.
Fall is finally here! The weather’s getting cooler, leaves are changing color, all signs that winter is not far behind. And while we may not be able to get you mentally ready for the change of the seasons, we can certainly help you prepare your car for fall and winter! Welcome to Fall Car Care Month at Mercedes-Benz of West Chester!
Fall is the perfect time to start checking up on your car. The weather isn’t entirely too cold yet, the Holidays are still a ways off, and you aren’t facing any severe weather conditions. The autumn season is prime for getting out in the garage or bringing your car to our service centers to get everything checked out before the real test of your car’s performance comes.
Now you may be asking yourself, why is it important to check up on your car before winter? Well, dealing with car problems when it’s cold out is just not a great time. And we want you to always have a good time driving your Mercedes-Benz. And while these tips may seem like common sense, you’d be surprised just how often these can fly under the radar and end up causing much more serious problems down the line.
It may seem like a lot to keep track of, but if you follow this Fall car care checklist, you’ll be more than prepared for when the colder months roll around. And if there’s anything you need to replace or you can’t check out yourself, you can always make Mercedes-Benz of West Chester a part of your winter car prep by scheduling an appointment with our service center in West Chester. Make sure you prepare your car for winter right with Mercedes-Benz of West Chester!
How To Make The Most Of Your Test Drive?
Are you looking to buy a new car? Whatever the reason, when you decide to buy a car, most people tend to ignore the test drive. Sadly, this is where you make a mistake. Every car dealer offers a test drive to ensure that you buy the best vehicle, the one that suits your needs.
When you buy anything, you tend to try it out to check its performance and whether you are comfortable using it. Similarly, when you purchase a car, you need to check out the performance, efficiency, and comfortability that it offers. This is the primary reason behind asking customers to opt for test driving.
If you are not aware of how to check the efficiency of a test drive, don’t worry. Here, we have come up with some practical tips to make the most of your test drive:
Generally, the test drive is scheduled beforehand when you are buying a car. Give a call before the day of your test drive to the dealer. This call is not just a reminder, but we suggest you ask the seller to keep the engine cold before driving. If any seller has to hide any fault, he will surely warm the engine. This will hide the startup issues and unusual noise. On the contrary, if the engine is cold, you can see the smoke and hear the rattling noise.
Although many may not find this tip suitable, if you want to check the inner parts of a car, it is suggested that you bring some accessories. This will help you assess the potential of the car. One of the more valuable pieces of equipment could be the tire tread depth gauge. Since this is a small tool, carrying it will not be a problem. The tire tread depth gauge allows checking the depth. If there are issues with the depth, it can lead to deadly accidents.
When you are out for a test drive, be confident and drive the car as if it is your own. So, before you start driving it, check under the hood. One essential part of this process is to check the fluids. Paying a closer look under the hood will tell you if there are any leakages or damages.
The brakes constitute an important organ of the car. When you press the brakes, you will feel a healthy response from it. If there are issues in the brake, you should be able to easily notice. When applying brakes, listen for any squeaking or creaking noise.
Checking the steering of the car is vital. Try steering the car all the way from the left to right and see whether it produces any popping sounds. If you hear any, know that it is a clear indication of damage to the car’s front.
How to Plan a Road Trip
Planning a road trip can seem like a daunting proposition; However, with constructive guidance, it can be a lot easier. This article will walk you through the steps to plan a road trip. Let's explore the tips and tricks for planning a road trip.
The first step is to research the location of the road trip. Then you should also set the time and budget for the trip. Search potential travel destinations on search engines and check the itineraries for the perfect ideas. the sights you want to see and create a suitable route map to get to your destination faster and avoid obstacles.
Before doing anything, it is extremely important to have a budget. Therefore, set a budget per day for the trip. Find out the cost of the vehicle and check the prices daily. At the same time, you should plan the budget for accommodation, meals, and other leisure activities.
Now that you have framed a budget for the road trip, and you can use it to plan other facets of the trip. Make bookings for your accommodation, food, and other day-to-day costs involved. You must make every booking before starting the trip to confirm your stay in the place visiting.
Once you have planned the route efficiently, you must create a list of packing essentials. To help you and make things easier for you, here are a few essentials that you must adhere to.
When packing personal items, you must make use of a suitcase or the main bag. However, make sure you have a small bag for the essentials.
Make sure that you have the documentation ready to reach the final location. This includes the following:
When you are traveling from home, it is essential to prepare and take the food along. Make sure you check the road trip food ideas and plan the perfect meal for you and your family. Plan and prepare meals before you start your road trip.
One of the main goals is to create a planned itinerary for you. If you need help with inspiration, look at the suggested routes. The itineraries are step-by-step guides that you should know before leaving. Make sure to create itineraries that include everything you need to know before you start your route.
What to do when your vehicle overheats?
If your car overheats, it can create a number of problems. For example, if your car's air conditioning has stopped working, there might be an overheating problem. Stop driving if you see that the temperature display has shifted to the "hot" side. Cars with an overheated engine can suffer catastrophic damage. They can't explode instantly but driving with an overheated engine can lead to costly repairs. Instead of risking costly repairs later, stop and fix the problem as soon as possible. Your engine can overheat for a number of reasons. Some of these problems are quite common on a hot summer day.
Coolant Not Being Circulated Properly:
The engine will overheat if the antifreeze/water mixture does not circulate properly. This mixture keeps the engine cool in hot months and prevents it from freezing in cold months. check it regularly. Without leaks, the liquid evaporates over time. You can cool the engine down in a car repair shop by adding about ½ cup of water to a shallow container of antifreeze.
Leakage issues:
If your cooling system's water/antifreeze levels are consistently low, you have a leak somewhere. In this case, see a mechanic immediately. They will locate the leak and provide you with a reasonable repair cost estimate.
You might need a hose replacement:
The hoses that circulate the coolant can become clogged or loosened over time. Even the smallest blockage prevents a sufficient amount of refrigerant from flowing. During an inspection, a mechanic can look for these and similar things.
Other reasons:
If the water and antifreeze levels are normal, your engine may have a more serious problem. Internal coolant leaks, dirt in the coolant lines, or a clogged radiator are all possibilities. If so, then you should get your car checked asap. as possible from a professional. They can identify problems early and save you money on costly repairs.
How to deal with an overheated car?
The following steps will help cool down an overheating engine:
Finally, you should definitely not try to remove the radiator cap when the engine is warm. Since hot coolant is sprayed under high pressure, it can cause severe burns all over the body.
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Pros of leasing a vehicle
For many, purchasing a vehicle is a better financial decision than getting one on the lease; nevertheless, if leasing is the correct option for you, you should be aware of its benefits over purchasing a car.
Compared to owning a car, leasing usually means monthly payments are 30 to 60% lower. As a result, you can drive a car that you might not otherwise be able to afford, possibly the greatest leasing advantage.
If you follow my advice and rent for 36 months or less, you are usually covered by the manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper guarantee for the duration of your lease. So, you don't have to worry about major repairs and some manufacturers even offer free maintenance for the first few years.
All you have to do is return the car to the company (where you leased it from) after the lease expires. As simple as that! You don't have to deal with the headache of selling a used car, and you don't care about the vehicle's value after the lease. Leasing companies often overestimate the value of a car, resulting in a lower lease rate for you and a loss for the leasing company.
You can usually deduct the full lease costs from tax if you use the car for business purposes. Even if you don't have a business, most states only tax you on the "use" portion of your lease, which means you don't have to pay tax on the full cost of the vehicle. This can save you a few hundred dollars compared to buying a vehicle and paying full price in taxes.
With a lease, you can drive a new automobile every two or three years, providing you access to the latest technology advancements and safety features.
You don't have to worry about the reliability or quality of a car when you rent it as you will only be driving it for two to three years. Most cars run smoothly during this time, so you can test vehicles that otherwise might not drive.
Most leasing contracts include additional gap insurance to protect you if the car is stolen or if it is a total loss during the term of the lease.
If your newly bought car is in an accident, your insurance will cover the repairs, but you will lose money selling it because it means "depreciation". People are unwilling to pay the same amount for a damaged vehicle. If you destroy the car during the lease, the insurance will take care of it, but the depreciation lies with the leasing company, you shouldn't worry about it at all!