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How to Keep an Unused Car Healthy

Parked 2020 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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.

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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.
Closeup of tires on parked car

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

Mercedes-Benz Service "A" Special

$50 Off

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 and Correction
  • Brake Component Inspection
  • Reset Maintenance Counter
  • All Fluid Level Checks and Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year and Model

Includes:

  • Complimentary car wash & Bio-disinfectant which kills 98% of germs

Dealer-Recommendations:

  • Complete undercarriage inspection
  • Add new washer solution into washer reservoir
  • Perform Medtronics test on battery
  • Road test
  • Vehicle wash with interior vacuum

 

 

 

Must present offer when your service order is written for offer to apply. Valid at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Service wait time may vary depending on the services requested. 2009 and newer Mercedes-Benz vehicles only. Please refer to your maintenance booklet for the complete list of factory-required services and details on the specific intervals for your vehicle's year and model. Cannot be combined with any other offer or applied to past services. Does not include applicable taxes, shop supplies, and hazardous waste fees. Excludes AMG®, Maybach, GTS, GT, SLR, Diesel, Electric, smart, Sprinter vehicles. Limit one original offer per person. Other restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. See Dealer for details. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Mercedes-Benz Service "B" Special

$100 OFF 

Services Performed:

  • Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
  • Genuine Mercedes-Benz Fleece Oil Filter replacement
  • Reset Maintenance Counter
  • Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
  • Brake Fluid Exchange
  • Brake Component Inspection
  • Tire Inflation Check and Correction
  • All Fluid Level Checks and Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle’s Year and Model

Includes:

Complimentary car wash & Bio-disinfectant which kills 98% of germs

Dealer-Recommendations:

  • Complete undercarriage inspection
  • Add new washer solution into washer reservoir
  • Perform Midtronics test on battery
  • Rotation of tires (if applicable and necessary)
  • Road test
  • Vehicle wash with interior vacuum
  • Loaner vehicle provided upon availability

 

 

 

Mention/present this offer at time of write up. 2009 and Newer. Cannot be combined with any other discount or advertised special. Cannot be applied to prior purchases. No Cash Value. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Does not apply to diesel, AMG®, SLR, Maybach, GTS, SLS models. 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. Expires 10/31/2021.
***Additional factory required services may be required depending on mileage of vehicle.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Spend and Save

 Spend                              Save

$100 – $199                                                  $15.00

$200 – $299                                                 $25.00

$300 – $399                                                 $35.00

$400 – $499                                                 $45.00

$500 – $599                                                 $55.00

$600 – $699                                                 $65.00

$700 or More                                               $75.00

Please present this coupon to your service advisor at the time of write-up. Cannot be used with other discounts or specials. Price is plus tax and hazardous disposal fee. Not valid on service previously performed. Does not include Maybachs, SLR, SLS, or S560 vehicles. Does not include tires. Other restrictions may apply. See your service advisor for complete details. Void where prohibited. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Max $500 Limit. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Brake Replacement Special

Save up to $200

  • SAVE $50 OFF BRAKE PADS PER AXLE
  • SAVE $100 OFF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS PER AXLE

Must present coupon at time of write-up. Other restrictions may apply. See your service advisor for complete details. Void where prohibited. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Sprinter Maintenance

Save $50

On Your Next Sprinter Van Maintenance

Must present coupon at time of write-up. Other restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Military, First Responder, & Healthcare Professional Special

Take 10% Off Your Next Service or Parts Order

Mercedes-Benz of Escondido Thanks you for your service!

Must present qualifying ID. Max savings of $250. Coupon not valid with any other offers. Must present coupon at time of purchase. Limit one coupon per person. Coupon does not apply to tires or prior purchases. Other restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021
Mercedes-Benz Genuine Accessories and Lifestyle Collection

10% off 

on all in stock and special ordered items for the month of April.

Accessories Includes:

  • Car Covers

  • Cargo Area Trays

  • Floor Mats, All Season

  • Floor Mats, Velour

  • License Plate Frames

  • Sunshades

  • Tire Valve Stem Caps

  • Trailer Hitch Covers

Lifestyle Collection Includes:

  • Apparel

  • Drinkware

  • Accessories

 

 

Must present coupon at time of write-up. Other restrictions may apply. Void where prohibited. Valid only at Mercedes-Benz of Escondido. See dealer for full details. Expires 10/31/2021.
EXPIRES: 10/31/2021

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(760) 745-5000

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1101 West Ninth Ave • Escondido, CA 92025

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Today's Hours:

Open Today! Sales: 8:30am-8pm

Open Today! Service: 7am-6pm

Open Today! Parts: 7am-6pm

Mercedes-Benz of Escondido 33.1072302, -117.0927389.