What You Need to Know About Car Repair & Maintenance

Many drivers often ask when they should change their oil, but that answer may differ depending on who you talk to. Standard practice at many lube shops is to suggest oil changes every 20,000kms for gas engines and 15,000kms for Diesel or AMG engines. While it certainly won't be detrimental to change your oil that often, it's usually not necessary. To get the best estimate for oil change intervals, consult the owner's manual of your specific Mercedes-Benz model. However, it's important to note that regularly scheduled car service helps keep your car in top condition.

Drivers occasionally let standard maintenance slide on leased vehicles -- you'll eventually return them, after all -- but failing to maintain a leased vehicle can lead to problems in the long run. Perhaps most importantly, you need to keep your leased vehicle in good condition in order to keep you and your passengers safe as well as to achieve its best performance. Additionally, your vehicle will be evaluated when your lease ends, and you don't want to be stuck with fees you could have avoided.

If your vehicle uses a timing chain rather than a timing belt, you won't have to worry about when to replace your timing belt. In general, however, timing belts need to be replaced every 60,000-90,000 miles. Be sure to check your owner's manual for recommended timing belt replacement intervals.

When your vehicle's battery warning light turns red, you'll want to take action -- it means that your battery's charge is low. This is a more common occurrence in colder weather, but can also happen if your vehicle has had electrical systems on without the engine running. While this dash warning doesn't necessarily mean you need a new battery, you'll want to get your current car battery charged if not replaced. DIY car service enthusiasts may prefer to take on this task themselves, but you can always depend on the experts at our dealership in Kitchener, ON for all things car repair.

If one or both turn signal is blinking at a quicker pace -- or isn't blinking at all -- it's likely that the bulb has burned out. Take this as a warning from your car that it's time to change the bulb. You can either order parts from our parts department or take your vehicle in for service. However, note that not every vehicle will alert you when a bulb goes out. Be sure to periodically check your vehicle's health even when it's seemingly performing well.

Every vehicle has different needs, but here are a few common car maintenance tasks that you should keep up with regardless of what you drive:

• Oil changes
• Filter replacements
• Fluid inspections
• Timing belt replacement
• Tire rotations
• Routine parts and fluid inspections

Additionally, keep tabs on larger scale maintenance items like battery replacement, brake pad replacements, and transmission repairs as your vehicle ages.