Mercedes-Benz of Santa Fe Blog

The brake pedal in your vehicle can identify serious brake issues if you know what you should be looking for. Here are a few things to look for with a weak brake pedal.

The soft brake pedal might be an indication that fluid is leaking from the master cylinder or the brake lines. This is a problem because the car could fail to stop if not addressed in time. Bring the car in to have the technician look to see if a leak does exist.

Another issue with a soft brake pedal is that air may be trapped inside the…

With more than 1.2 million crashes happening annually in rainy conditions, it is crucial to be prepared to drive safely in the rain this summer. This starts with making sure your car is ready to hit the road and having it serviced regularly.

Before you get behind the wheel in the rain, you should check the tread on your tires. Turn a quarter upside down between the tread in your tire. If the head shows on the coin, then your tread is probably worn down to the point that you need new tires. This will help you keep your…

Before you test the car battery, be sure you have a good pair of work gloves to protect your hands and protective eye-wear for working anywhere near the car battery. Once the car engine is off, open the hood and locate the battery compartment.

The voltmeter will have just two cables; a black is negative, and the red is the positive end. The red cable will connect to your car battery positive end first; then you can safely secure the black cable to the negative end of the battery.

Once the meter is on, the reading will fall in the…

Flat tires are a common occurrence, and it is important to know how to take care of one, so you don't get stranded. Keep a tire changing kit in your car's trunk, including a full-size or compact spare tire. Consider practicing using the tools so that you're prepared if and when you get a flat tire while driving.

Before changing a flat, engage the car's parking brake. Prevent the car from rolling by putting blocks, chocks or rocks behind the wheels on the opposite side. Loosen the lug nuts, jack up the car, remove the nuts…

Due to the intensity of the heat that your engine operates it requires its own cooling system in order to prevent it from overheating and causing lasting damage. But in order to keep your engine running correctly, you will need to perform periodic maintenance on your cooling system to keep that in good working order.

Over time you will notice the coolant in your radiator become dirty and less effective. Once that happens you will want to do a coolant flush to the system. This involves first draining and disposing of all of the old dirty fluid. A hose is…

Your car's muffler is the last step of its exhaust system. This part does the job of muffling the noise of processing and releasing exhaust gases. A rusted fastener, loose pipe or hole in the muffler could cause it to make a great deal of noise when you drive.

A muffler that is too loud could also be a sign of a more serious issue with your exhaust system. In many communities, a loud car could result in a fine or a ticket, along with a requirement to get it repaired. When your car starts to sound loud, an…

If you have ever had to pull over to the side of the highway due to vehicle trouble or an emergency, you have no doubt appreciated drivers who were courteous enough to slow down and change lanes to make more safe room for you Not only were these drivers being considerate, but they were actually obeying the law. Here at Mercedes-Benz of Santa Fe, we care a lot about highway safety. Sadly, around 200 roadside workers are struck by oncoming vehicles each year.

Move Over laws protects tow truck drivers in all 50 states. Let’s help keep our drivers…

Many drivers dutifully take their cars to the mechanic shop to have their oil changed every 3,000 miles. Even though you might think that this is what you are supposed to do, you should know that for most modern cars, this simply is not necessary. Here at Mercedes-Benz of Santa Fe, we know how important it is for you to take good care of your vehicle and stay on top of your regular maintenance. However, we do not want for you to waste your time and money having your car's oil changed more frequently than it has to…

When you need to make some sort of repair to your vehicle, the parts you purchase can make this a one-time repair or one that goes on again and again. Get your car parts at the discount parts store, and you are dealing with inferior parts that usually do not last.

Unlike at the local parts store that needs to order those parts you need to make repairs, the dealership has them in stock and will make certain the part you need for the repair is the right one, so you are not wasting your time back and forth. The…

Buying a vehicle can be exciting, but you need to make sure that you can afford the one that you want to buy before you commit to purchasing one. You need to think about the things that you will be spending on beyond the car payment.

It is important for you to think about insurance and all that it costs. If you are going to purchase a vehicle, you need to be able to pay the car payment and the insurance plan that will protect you. You need to have money set aside for repairs that you might need to…