Avoid Brake Repair: Top Brake Maintenance Tips

Everyone has heard horror stories about vehicles needing brake repair. Nobody wants to have an unnecessary repair bill, but many people don’t know that there’s anything they can do to prevent brakes from needing repair in the first place. Do you know how to brake smart? Read on to find out!!

1. Easy Does It

Do you ever “ride” your brakes? This habit is hard on more than just your tires and your passengers’ nerves. Brakes produce quite a lot of heat in the process of stopping your car, and continually applying braking pressure without ever easing off and allowing the brakes to cool down can cause premature wearing of every part of the braking system. Instead of keeping your brakes on all the time, try slowing down with a steady pressure, then releasing the brakes to give them time to lose heat.

2. Keep It Clean

When you wash your car, don’t forget to clean the wheels and brakes. Take the time to rinse, wash, and rinse again. Clean wheels and brakes are more effective, and the absence of grit and dirt on the brakes keeps them from generating unnecessary friction and heat.

Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/avoid-brake-repair-top-brake-maintenance-tips/

Mercedes Service A: Why Your Vehicle Needs It

22
Dec

Like everything about a Mercedes-Benz, the maintenance recommendations have been carefully designed for both practicality and precision.  Mercedes Service A is recommended for all Mercedes vehicles at 10,000 miles and then every 20,000 miles or 2 years after that.  In between, it’s recommended that the vehicle receives Mercedes Service B.

Odds are that you’re already convinced you should opt for the specific list of recommendations in Mercedes Service A & B, but you still have to decide who you want to do the work.

Should I Go To An Independent Garage Or An Alternative Dealership Service Department?

Many people wonder whether it’s better to take their vehicle for service at the dealership or to an independent mechanic.  The independents are often right around the corner, near their neighborhood, and may often be less expensive.  Here are a few things to look for in your service department:

• They know your vehicle.  Many service departments are specialists.  They’ve worked on many of the same make and model as your car, and they’re very familiar with it.  Make sure your mechanic knows Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
• They have technician training programs.  You want your mechanic to be extremely knowledgeable about any issues or recalls that have come up with your vehicle.

Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/mercedes-service-vehicle-needs/

Detailing Your Porsche: More Than Just Vanity

20
Dec

Congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a beautiful, high-performance car.  Yet, you may already be dreading the day that you have to schedule Porsche repair.  Is there a way to keep your Porsche in top condition, while keeping a close eye out for anything that may go wrong?  Detailing your Porsche is not only an ideal time to check for any irregularities, but it’s also fun.  Read on to find out our recommendations.

1. Score Some Shade

When you’re detailing your car, even where you choose to park is important.  If possible, park in the shade, ideally under a carport or other shelter.  This prevents the sun from fading your paint, and also keeps your car from drying too rapidly, which can lead to everything from unsightly streaks and smudges to difficult-to-remove mineral deposits and water drop shadows.

2. Get The Right Suds

Following the directions on the bottle, mix up a bucket of car soap and apply it carefully.  If you have specific dirt spots on the vehicle, apply shampoo directly to them and then allow it to sink in while you soap up the rest of the vehicle.  Do you have flecks of tar on your vehicle?  Don’t waste time trying to scrub it off with regular car shampoo.  Instead, look for products specifically formulated to remove tar, and use them according to manufacturer’s directions.  Rinse the car before you soap it, starting with the tires and working your way up to avoid splashing dirt upwards.

 Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/detailing-porsche-just-vanity/

Avoid Unneeded Mercedes Benz Service With Proper Maintenance

18
Dec

Anyone who owns a Mercedes is familiar with luxury, power, and matchless German engineering, but do you know how to do the simple maintenance tasks that will keep your car purring for years to come?  With just a few regular tasks, you can avoid unnecessary Mercedes Benz service bills, and enjoy your vehicle without interruption.

Are you on Schedule? 

re You On Just as you want to make sure that your heart and lungs are in good shape before you start worrying about your haircut, it pays to pay attention to your car’s engine and functionality as regularly as you do other aspects of it.  Make sure that you’re keeping up with the maintenance schedules associated with your car (maintenance schedule A and B).  Once you know that the inside of your car is running perfectly, here are a few more things to consider:

1. Are Your Tires In Good Shape?

Just as good shoes can make all the difference to how you feel after a day of being on your feet, quality tires can make all the difference in your ride.  Make sure that you’re using tires that are recommended for use on Mercedes vehicles, and make sure to watch that the tread isn’t getting worn down, or wearing unevenly.  To prevent problems with your tires, it’s best to have them checked and rotated whenever you take the car in for service A  or B.

2.  Is Your Interior Up To Snuff?

If you have a luxurious leather interior, you’ll want to keep it just as soft, supple, and inviting as it was the day you brought your car home.  As a natural material, leather can benefit from gentle cleaning, and careful use of conditioners.  Ensure that any product you purchased is labeled “for leather”, avoiding vinyl cleaners.  Follow the instructions on the product packaging to clean and condition your leather upholstery.  Keep in mind that if you use your car in extreme weather (heat, cold), you’ll need to apply the conditioner more frequently.  Otherwise, clean and condition your leather every three to six months.

Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/avoid-unneeded-mercedes-benz-service-with-proper-maintenance/

Winter Mercedes Benz Repair And Maintenance

As a Mercedes owner, you already know that your vehicle offers superb power, handling, and comfort, but what about driving during the winter?  You may be reluctant to take your Mercedes on the road if conditions are slippery or sloppy, but a bit of nasty weather shouldn’t keep your car stuck in the garage.  With the weatherizing tips featured in our winter guide to Mercedes Benz repair and maintenance, you can enjoy your Mercedes all year round.

Get Your Car A Checkup

As always before any anticipated demands on your vehicle, it’s wise to have a mechanic who specializes in German cars give your car the once-over.  This can help you spot any potential issues before they blossom into a full-blown problem.  Here’s a list of things to check for:

1. The Condition Of Your Battery

Even if you haven’t been having trouble starting your car, if your battery is nearing the end of its useful life cold weather might be enough to push it over the edge and cause unreliable charging.  The last thing you need is to be stranded in a cold parking lot, unable to get your car to turn on.  Have your mechanic check the age and condition of your battery, and replace it if necessary.

2.  Be Careful About Coolant Systems

Hot weather can cause the plastic portions of your coolant system to crack or become brittle, or the fluids inside can cause buildup.  When winter comes, cold temperatures can cause all these parts to contract, which can lead to problems.  Have your mechanic check the functionality of your coolant system, and flush or change the coolant as necessary to ensure that it will run well in cold weather.

3. Make Sure Your Tires Are Cold-Weather Ready

Unless you’re driving a lot in the snow, you probably don’t need to change to snow tires, but you do need to make sure that the tires on your vehicle have enough useful life left to make them safe on wet or slippery roads.  Tires with less than 3/32-inch of tread, or tires that are over 10 years old, should be replaced.  Don’t take a chance on this: your Mercedes’ superior handling doesn’t matter much if its tires can’t grip the road surface properly.

Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/winter-mercedes-benz-repair-maintenance/

Want To Avoid Expensive Porsche Repair Bills? Check Your Tires!

Odds are that as a Porsche owner you’d never go for weeks without washing your car, but how often do you think about your tires?  Although the tires on a Porsche are designed to be high-performance and give you a superb ride, many owners take them for granted–until there’s a problem.  Why wait until you’re staring at a hefty bill for Porsche repair due to a damaged suspension system or a fender-bender?  

Here are a few ways you can keep your tires in their best condition, especially moving into the colder months:

1. Give Them Attention

Every couple of weeks, and especially when you’ve driven through slippery, wet, or otherwise intense conditions, give your tires a quick visual inspection.  If you notice any cracking, excessive or uneven wear, or even something that just looks “odd”, let that be your clue to take your tires in to be inspected by a qualified tire service technician.  Trust your instinct: if something seems wrong, it probably is.  And remember to keep the date of your tires’ manufacture in mind.  No matter how little wear they’ve received, most tires are not recommended for use when they’re more than 10 years old.  If yours are older, then they should be replaced.

2. Keep Them Well-Maintained

Maintenance may not be a word that you’ve generally associated with tires, but in order for the vehicle to keep performing at its peak all tires need to be regularly balanced, rotated, and aligned.  Ensuring that your tires and wheels are balanced, rotated, and aligned can lengthen the life of your tires, keep your car’s suspension from wearing out prematurely, and make for a much more comfortable ride.

Read more here: http://www.niguelauto.com/want-avoid-expensive-porsche-repair-bills-check-tires/

What Is Mercedes Service A, And Why Is It Important?

Do you know your service ABCs? If you’re a Mercedes-Benz owner, it’s likely that one of the things that initially attracted you to the brand is its reputation for meticulous German engineering.  Mercedes-Benz carries this precision into its maintenance requirements and recommends that its vehicles be maintained on an alternating schedule.  After the first 10,000 miles and then every 20,000 miles thereafter, the recommended service is Mercedes Service A.  Then, approximately 2 years later, it’s recommended that the vehicle receives Mercedes Service B.  We will be discussing Mercedes Service A for the remainder of this article. Read more...http://www.niguelauto.com/mercedes-service-important/