How to Keep an Unused Car Healthy
Mercedes-Benz owners who work from home or who live in a walkable area of Escondido might find that they don’t actually drive their vehicle very often. What some San Diego car owners don’t realize is that it’s important to adjust your car care to match your driving habits. Your unused car may look to be in perfect condition, but the longer it sits without being driven, the more maintenance issues can rack up. Here, Mercedes-Benz of Escondido provides essential maintenance tips for vehicles that are not driven regularly.
Will My Car’s Battery Die Without Being Driven?
It depends. Go long enough without taking your car out on Escondido roads, and you can almost guarantee that the battery will die. Exactly how long is “too long?” The answer will vary based on the age of your car battery and whether it’s been well-maintained over the years.
Here are the facts you need to know:
- Modern vehicles use advanced features that employ multiple computers, which are always on. These computers are what slowly drains your car battery in as little as two weeks.
- To avoid a dead battery, start your car up once per week and let it run for around 5 to 10 minutes. If your car is parked in a garage, remember to open the garage door or pull your car out into the driveway or street for proper ventilation.
- There is also the option of connecting your vehicle to a battery tender or minder, which plugs into a household outlet in your garage to maintain a proper voltage in your battery. Just don’t forget to disconnect it next time you go out for a drive.
Will My Brakes Suffer?
If your car sits unused for too long, especially outside, your brake rotors are at risk of rusting. This is why it’s good practice to at least take your vehicle out for a short drive once or twice per week, as driving it will get rid of any film or rust that has built up. Is your parking brake always on, too? It’s good practice to set and release it periodically, as most modern parking brakes are cable activated and releasing the tension every now and then will help prevent damage.
Will I Get Flat Tires?
San Marcos car owners who don’t drive regularly need to be diligent about checking their tire pressure. Over time, the tires will inevitably lose air, which can cause premature wear and affect the safety of your vehicle when you do take it out for a spin.
If you’re heading out of town for a couple of weeks and your car won’t be driven by anyone while you’re gone, it can actually be helpful to overfill your tires a bit (around 5 – 10 psi over the recommended limit) to help prevent flat spots from developing.
Will My Gasoline Go Bad?
It’s true that gasoline degrades over time, but your vehicle’s fuel system is well-sealed, which should minimize the issue. Keeping a full tank also helps to reduce the risk of degradation and gas tank condensation. Not to mention, you won’t be surprised by a near-empty tank the next time you need to use your vehicle. You can also use a fuel stabilizer to help keep things fresh and healthy in the tank.
Learn More About Car Maintenance With Mercedes-Benz of Escondido!
Have additional questions about keeping your unused car healthy in Escondido? Need to schedule an oil change or tire rotation? Contact us or schedule an appointment online with our service center to get started!
Service Specials at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido
The “A” Service first visit is at approximately 10,000 miles or 1 year. The exact time is determined by the vehicle’s Flexible Service System.
Then it is approximately every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Please see your service advisor for all Mercedes-Benz A-Service specifics.
Get your 10,000 mile interval service done at an incredibly low price!
Services Performed:
- Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
- Genuine Mercedes-Benz Fleece Oil Filter replacement
- Tire Inflation Check & Correction
- Brake Component Inspection: inspection of brake pad and rotors thickness for wear
- Reset Maintenance Counter
- All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year & Model
Dealer-Added:
- Complete undercarriage inspection
- Add new washer solution into washer reservoir
- Perform Midtronics test on battery
- Road test
- Vehicle wash with interior vacuum
Mercedes-Benz A-Service adheres to all required elements listed by model year and specific model as indicated on the corresponding service sheet for Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Systems in the USA.
Mention/present this offer at time of write up. Cannot be combined with any other discount or advertised special. Cannot be applied to prior purchases. No Cash Value. Valid only at Mercedes of Escondido. Does not apply to diesel, AMG®, SLR, Maybach, GTS, SLS models. Only valid at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Price advertised for Service A/Service B includes all factory required components. Please refer to your maintenance booklet for the complete list of factory specified service requirements and details on the specific intervals for your vehicle's year and model. All fluid level checks and corrections are dependent on factory recommended service and intervals for your vehicle's year and model. Additional factory required services may be required depending on mileage of vehicle. MY09-newer. *(European image shown)
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
"A" Service Special - Save $25!
Expires: June 1, 2020
The “A” Service first visit is at approximately 10,000 miles or 1 year. The exact time is determined by the vehicle’s Flexible Service System.
Then it is approximately every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Please see your service advisor for all Mercedes-Benz A-Service specifics.
Get your 10,000 mile interval service done at an incredibly low price!
Services Performed:
- Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
- Genuine Mercedes-Benz Fleece Oil Filter replacement
- Tire Inflation Check & Correction
- Brake Component Inspection: inspection of brake pad and rotors thickness for wear
- Reset Maintenance Counter
- All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year & Model
Dealer-Added:
- Complete undercarriage inspection
- Add new washer solution into washer reservoir
- Perform Midtronics test on battery
- Road test
- Vehicle wash with interior vacuum
Mercedes-Benz A-Service adheres to all required elements listed by model year and specific model as indicated on the corresponding service sheet for Mercedes-Benz Maintenance Systems in the USA.
The “B” Service first visit is at approximately 20,000 miles or 1 year after the previous service. The exact time is determined by the vehicle’s Flexible Service System.
Then it is typically every 20,000 miles or 2 years (approximately). Please see service adviser for all Mercedes-Benz B-Service specifics.
Services Performed:
- Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
- Oil Filter Replacement
- Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
- Brake Fluid Exchange
- All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year & Model.
- Tire Inflation Check & Correction
- Brake Component Inspection
- Reset Maintenance Counter
- Adherence to all required elements listed by model year and specific model as indicated on the corresponding service sheet for Mercedes Benz Maintenance Systems in the USA
Includes a complimentary deluxe car wash!
commercial vehicles excluded. Additional services may be recommended based of age and mileage of
vehicle (transmission service, differential service, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement) frequency of other maintenance items vary by year and model.
Mention/present this offer at time of write up. Cannot be combined with any other discount or advertised special. Cannot be applied to prior purchases. No Cash Value. Valid only at Mercedes of Escondido. Does not apply to diesel, AMG®, SLR, Maybach, GTS, SLS models. Only valid at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Price advertised for Service A/Service B includes all factory required components. Please refer to your maintenance booklet for the complete list of factory specified service requirements and details on the specific intervals for your vehicle's year and model. All fluid level checks and corrections are dependent on factory recommended service and intervals for your vehicle's year and model. Additional factory required services may be required depending on mileage of vehicle. MY09-newer.
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
"B" Service Special - Save $50!
Expires: June 1, 2020
The “B” Service first visit is at approximately 20,000 miles or 1 year after the previous service. The exact time is determined by the vehicle’s Flexible Service System.
Then it is typically every 20,000 miles or 2 years (approximately). Please see service adviser for all Mercedes-Benz B-Service specifics.
Services Performed:
- Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
- Oil Filter Replacement
- Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
- Brake Fluid Exchange
- All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year & Model.
- Tire Inflation Check & Correction
- Brake Component Inspection
- Reset Maintenance Counter
- Adherence to all required elements listed by model year and specific model as indicated on the corresponding service sheet for Mercedes Benz Maintenance Systems in the USA
Includes a complimentary deluxe car wash!
commercial vehicles excluded. Additional services may be recommended based of age and mileage of
vehicle (transmission service, differential service, air filter replacement, spark plug replacement) frequency of other maintenance items vary by year and model.
$50.00 off Brake Pads + $100.00 off Brake Rotors
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
Brake Special
Expires: June 1, 2020
$50.00 off Brake Pads + $100.00 off Brake Rotors
Complimentary Inspection + 20% off Labor 2012 and Older
Disclaimer: Max $300.00 off
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
High Mileage Service Special
Expires: June 1, 2020
Complimentary Inspection + 20% off Labor 2012 and Older
Disclaimer: Max $300.00 off
Free Scan and report and Receive 20% off Labor
Applies to 2011 and older vehicles
*Disclaimer: Max $300.00 off
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
Free Check Engine Inspection
Expires: June 1, 2020
Free Scan and report and Receive 20% off Labor
Applies to 2011 and older vehicles
*Disclaimer: Max $300.00 off
10% off Sprinter Maintenance Service
*Disclaimer: Max discount $250.00
1101 West Ninth Ave, Escondido, CA
Service: (760) 233-5160
Sprinter Maintenance Special
Expires: June 1, 2020
10% off Sprinter Maintenance Service
*Disclaimer: Max discount $250.00
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(760) 745-5000
Call Now1101 West Ninth Ave • Escondido, CA 92025
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Open Today! Sales: 8:30am-7pm
Open Today! Service: 7am-6pm
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Mercedes-Benz of Escondido
Phone: (760) 745-5000
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