Mercedes-Benz owners have a resource that most other car owners don’t have, when it comes to service: the Mercedes-Benz Flexible Service System. The Mercedes-Benz Flexible Service System provides the owner of a Mercedes-Benz with a service schedule that, rather than being arbitrarily tied to dates or mileage, is based on the customer’s driving style.

The Mercedes-Benz Flexible Service System, also known as “Active Service System” or “ASSYST” works like this. The system determines the number of days or the amount of miles before the next suggested maintenance on the Mercedes-Benz vehicle. It then displays that figure on the multifunction display. If you pass the service milestone, the system display lets you know by adding a wrench symbol, as well as the words, “Exceeded by” and the number of miles or days.

Every Mercedes-Benz model has a separate service sheet. The service sheet provides details about the specific services required for that specific limit of time or miles, for that vehicle. Each of the service sheets, in turn, has two groups of service. There is a smaller “Service A” and there is a more extensive “Service B.”

The Mercedes-Benz ASSYST system comes with several different configurations. At the bottom level is the basic ASSYST system, which you can get with our without a service scope display. There is also the ASSYST PLUS system, which offers additional features.

If you go to an Authorized Mercedes-Benz service center, you’ll find that the personnel are familiar with the ASSYST system. You can schedule a service appointment with your Fort Washington area Mercedes-Benz dealer to get “Service B,” for example, and they’ll have access to the specific service sheets that tell them exactly what sort of maintenance you need at a that time.

Getting the most from your tires means tire maintenance and safe driving. By following some simple tips, you can get much more life out of your tires than if you simply take them for granted.

Knowing the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure is one of the most vital ways you can extend the life of your tires.

The wrong amount of pressure causes the tire to wear in places it shouldn’t. Too much pressure could result in a blowout at high speeds on the highway. Too little pressure can cause your tire to go flat in a matter of a few miles. In addition, low tire pressure could also decrease the tire’s mileage by up to 20 percent. The car’s gas mileage also suffers from inadequate pressure.

Check the pressure of your tires about once a week with a tire gage. Tires lose air naturally. Whether through tiny holes or the valve cap, a tire loses a few pounds of pressure without the decrease being noticeable to the naked eye. The weather also causes a tire to lose pressure – colder weather causes slight deflation and warmer weather causes slight inflation.

Keep maintenance records for your tires. Create a log in which you record the times you check pressure and when you add air to the tires. Make a note of the wear patterns if you notice any unusual wear in the treads or around the sidewalls.

When it comes time to replace the tires, write down the mileage of your vehicle. Check that mileage against the manufacturer’s recommended mileage for your particular tires. This can help you decide if you need to modify your driving habits with your new set of tires so they last longer.

Rotating your tires on a regular basis is one of the best ways to extend their life. In many cases, rotating tires extends the life of the tires by up to 30 percent. Try to have your tires rotated about every 5,000 miles so they wear evenly.

You can rotate tires yourself, but many oil change facilities and mechanics shops will do this rather inexpensively. Experts can inspect the tires and notice if they have uneven wear patterns that indicate a need for a balancing or replacement.

Taking care of your tires not only extends their life, but it extends the life of your entire vehicle. A smoother ride means less vibration. Fewer vibrations means the parts of your car stay tight and secure. Better tires also lead to better gas mileage and overall vehicle durability.

Drive safe and participate in your vehicle’s preventative maintenance to get many years of enjoyment with fewer out-of-pocket expenses.  If you need new tires, stop by your Philadelphia area Mercedes Benz dealer today.

Did you know getting your tires rotated on your Mercedes vehicles on a regular schedule helps keep your repair costs down? The same goes for oil changes, tune-ups and other preventative measures. Unfortunately, drivers do not think about it too much.

“We all get in a hurry, we have the tendency to put things off – and your car is something that doesn’t care for itself,” said mechanic Bobby Armstrong in Nashville, Tennessee. He says if you simply follow the recommended maintenance schedule for your used Mercedes-Benz, you can keep repair costs at a minimum over the years.

Other things can cost more in the long run, too. For instance, if you hear a brake squeaking and decide to wait before getting it fixed, an easy $200 job could turn into a $700 bill because more parts will need to be replaces.

Let this be a lesson to you. Bite the bullet and have the scheduled maintenance done on your used Mercedes-Benz and have any unusual noises checked immediately. You’ll put more money in your pocket and enjoy your luxury vehicle for many, many years.

1. Keep an eye on the fluids. You might not think the fluids under the hood are important, but they are vital to the proper operation of your used Mercedes-Benz. Look for leaks underneath the car and unexplained dropping fluid levels. Have it checked at the first sign of a problem to avoid larger repairs.
2. Look for warning signs. Car problems rarely happen suddenly. They usually give you some warning before something happens. Be “in tune” with your used Mercedes-Benz and you’ll be able to notice problems while they are still small and inexpensive.
3. Get a second opinion. Repairs are not like groceries. Prices can differ by tens or even hundreds of dollars between shops. Check a couple mechanics before making your final decision. One mechanic may see dollar signs while the other may be willing to do repairs for a more reasonable price just to get your business.
4. Keep your receipts. This is the best way to remember what you’ve had done to your Mercedes vehicles and when you had it done. If someone tries to say you need new brakes and you just had them replaced six months prior, you can question them with your proof.

1. Start the car first. Some people like to turn on their accessories like the air conditioner and lights before they start the engine. This slowly wears the engine down, though, causing it to need repairs sooner. Start the engine first and then worry about the accessories.

2. Let your AMG cars warm up properly. Don’t rev the engine on those cold, cold mornings. That only adds stress to it. Instead, let it idle for about 60 seconds when you start it in the morning to allow the oil to flow before putting pressure on the engine.

3. Wait until the car stops before shifting into drive. I’m guilty of this one. I put my car in reverse and shift into drive before it stops moving. Unfortunately, this puts undue stress on the engine and decreases its life. Instead, make sure your car stops moving backwards before shifting into park.

With these and some other tips, your AMG performance cars should give you years and years of enjoyment.

1. Motor Oil – Get your oil changed with “energy conserving” motor oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. You can increase your fuel economy by as much as two percent.

2. Brakes – Make sure your brakes aren’t causing any “unwanted drag.” This can damage your car and kill your fuel economy.

3. Air Filters – Clogged air filters can decrease your fuel economy by up to 10 percent. Have your air filter checked with each oil change.

4. Tire Wear – Proper inflation and tread is essential to maximum performance and fuel efficiency. To increase gas mileage, check into low rolling-resistance tires to replace your current ones.

5. Tire Inflation – Tire inflation affects your gas mileage by about three percent. Make sure you have the right amount of PSI as stated on the side of the tires.

6. Unnecessary Weight – Search your vehicle for items that are weighing it down. Carrying around heavy items can negatively impact your fuel economy.

7. Engine Performance – New spark plugs and a tune-up are essential to keeping your engine running at optimum performance. One misfiring spark plug could decrease your fuel economy by up to four percent. Just think of what two misfiring spark plugs would do.

8. Warning Lights – Get those warning lights checked, folks. In addition to ruining the gas mileage on your Mercedes Benz, Benz dealers also warn that leaving it unchecked could cause harm to your engine.

9. Emission Controls – Make sure your emission controls are operating correctly or you could be releasing harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

10. Transmission – Make sure the fluid is topped off and it’s operating properly to save money on gas and repairs in the future.

Don’t forget to get your Mercedes-Benz vehicles checked before winter. Visit a local dealer this month just to make sure everything is working as it should.