You spent the money on this amazing machine, so nothing's too good for your baby. But as a practical matter, babying your Mercedes Benz gives you a fine ride for as long as you own it, and helps you preserve the resale value. Here are five things you need to do.
First, change the oil regularly. There's nothing easier you can do for your Mercedes Benz than treat the engine well. Fresh oil does the job.
But how often is "regularly"? It used to be every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But if you use Mobil 1 oil in your Mercedes (and their engineers say you should), engine advances in the past decade or so have made "regular" seem like not very often. Most Mercedes models, even at the high end, say you can change your oil at between 10,000 and 15,000 miles. Hey, the engineers designed your fine machine, so maybe you can trust what they say about oil changes.
Second, you need to wash and dry your Mercedes properly. You've spent a hefty amount on your Mercedes car, so don't take away the magic by ruining your paint job. Washing and drying properly will help you preserve the paint.
Washing a Mercedes isn't rocket science, but here are some specific things to keep in mind:
1. Pick a shaded area to let your car cool down before you wash it, and to prevent water spotting later during the drying phase
2. Consider cleaning the wheels first to give your car time to cool down, and use only non-acidic wheel cleaner
3. Use only sheepskin or microfiber mitts (or towels) to avoid damaging the paint
4. When you rinse the car, do so from the top down, to avoid getting dirt and gunk in already rinsed areas
5. Use only non-abrasive soap for washing, wash from the top down, and rinse your mitt or towel first before you dip it in the soap again (to get rid of dirt you've already cleaned off, so it won't scratch your paint)
6. Dry with a waffle weave towel
Third, keep your Mercedes well waxed to repel dirt and gunk that can damage the paint over time. You have several options here, but Mercedes enthusiasts everywhere will give the thumbs up to non-petroleum carnauba wax. It not only gives your exterior a nice luster, but also fills in minor scratches. You'll want to buy a wax with 20-50% carnauba and the remainder being brightening agents and perfectly safe natural oils. After you've freshly washed your car, apply the wax in straight strokes with a foam pad, and take it up quickly with a soft terry cloth towel before the wax dries too much. That will give you the shine you're looking for, without making a mess.
Fourth, don't forget to condition the interior! That means the leather (or M-B Tex) and wood. You'll want to use a non-solvent based and non-petroleum based cleaner. Word on the street is that there's no reason to buy anything special from Mercedes. You can go to your local auto store and buy products made by Meguiars, a well recognized brand that lots of Mercedes Benz car owners swear by.
Now you know how to baby your Mercedes. It doesn't take a lot of time, but the extra attention you give your baby now will pay you back down the road.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1782280
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