Maintenance:

Operating Fluids

Operating Fluid Services:

WHAT they are and WHY you should do them

Vehicles require a variety of different fluids in order to operate their numerous systems.

Most are familiar with the basic engine oil and oil filter for your engine and know that it is important to change, but do they know why?

And what about the power steering oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid / transmission filter, differential oil, transfer case oil, antifreeze,

spark plugs, and everything else that goes into making your vehicle operate on a daily basis?

Do these really need to be changed?

What happens if you don't?

Below you will find some answers to these often overlooked services.

Engine Oil and Filter

Lubrication, heat dissipation, and cleaning for your engine

Automobile engines have many internal moving parts. As your engine runs these parts move and rub against one another, the force of this friction creates heat. The oil in your engine helps to lubricate the moving parts and absorbs some of this heat which allows all of those parts to work together effectively. Over time, the oil in your engine starts to break down and becomes less effective at lubricating the internal parts and absorbing heat. Additionally, as the engine is running small metal particles will start to accumulate in the oil and the oil filter. As the oil breaks down from the normal heat cycle of your engine the oil will lose its viscosity and starts to become infested with dirty, metal and other debris. Wait too long between changes and it will start to effect fuel economy and

FSS Maintenance Sysem

Lubrication Service

Engine oil and filter change
Check and correct engine compartment fluid levels
Check condition of v-belts
Check and correct tire inflation pressures
Inspect tires for wear and damage
Check thickness of brake pads and condition of brake rotors
Verify proper operation of lights, horn, and wiper/washer system
Recommended at 3,500 mile intervals

Brake Fluid Flush

Completely evacuate old brake fluid from reservoir
Refill system with fresh fluid and pressure-bleed lines and calipers
Recommended every year for vehicles built prior to 1998

Cooling System Service

Drain radiator, engine, and heater core of old coolant
Refill system with fresh Mercedes-Benz Antifreeze / Anticorrosion agent, diluted with water to proper strength
In cases where the vehicle is presented to us with coolant of the incorrect type, we will completely flush the cooling system with Mercedes-Benz flushing agent followed by water until completely clean. Only then will we refill the system with fresh Mercedes-Benz Antifreeze / Anticorrosion agent, diluted with water to proper strength. If this procedure is required, there will be an additional parts and labor charge.
Recommended every three years

Rotate & Balance Tires

Perform computerized spin balance of all four wheels using proper Mercedes-Benz two-piece wheel weights
Rotate tires upon re-installation
Road test vehicle

Automatic Transmission Service

Drain all old fluid from transmission and torque converter
Replace transmission oil filter and oil pan gasket
Refill with Mercedes-Benz approved ATF
Recommended every 30,000 miles

Differential Service

Drain old lubricant and inspect its condition before disposal
Refill with appropriate type and weight gear oil
Recommended every 60,000 miles

Air Conditioning Service

Recover all refrigerant in system; record weight of refrigerant removed
Place system under vacuum to check its integrity and prepare for recharge
Refill system with factory-specified quantity and type of refrigerant
Test for proper operation and check for leaks

Note: It is a common misconception that R-12 “Freon” refrigerant is no longer available and that older cars must be converted to operate with R-134a refrigerant. Not true! R-12 and R-134a have different heat transfer and oil transport properties. Each type works best in an A/C system designed specifically for it. Although R-12 is more expensive when the time comes to recharge your A/C system, we believe this doesn't justify the tremendous cost and somewhat reduced performance associated with a conversion to R-134a.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

If you're considering the purchase of a pre-owned Mercedes, a pre-purchase inspection is a wise expenditure. We can give you a clear picture of the car's overall condition and point out specific issues that will need to be addressed. The two most obvious benefits to you are:

We can protect you from purchasing a misrepresented vehicle with hidden problems and / or requiring expensive repairs.
We provide you with knowledge that will help you negotiate a sensible price with the seller.

For all vehicles 1995 and older, we perform a comprehensive one-hour inspection followed by a road test and a 30 minute consultation with you.

Beyond the basic inspection described above, we can investigate specific items in greater detail if needed. Let's say, for example, you've found a car you like but the air conditioning doesn't work. The seller tells you, “it just needs a Freon refill.” Do you believe him? We can test the A/C system thoroughly and tell you what the problem really is. Are you looking at an '80s car that shifts a bit hard? We can test the transmission operating pressures to see if someone has cranked up the modulator to conceal a shift slip. Beyond that, we can test cylinder compression, fuel pressure, cooling system efficiency, or just about anything else that concerns you. Such services will be billed to you on an actual-time basis at an hourly rate of $110.00.