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 When driving your Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Porsche, BMW or any vehicle of German make, you expect a smooth and dynamic ride. But without maintenance, your luxury car may start to feel less than luxurious. Caring for your vehicle is essential to ensure that your car will continue to run smoothly. If you’re driving a luxury German vehicle, these maintenance tips may help:

1. Listen to your car. Turning down the radio and listening to your car is often sound advice for making sure any vehicle is properly maintained. However, due to technological advances, this could be hard to do in a luxury vehicle. Rolling your window down to listen for problems can help in some cases, but it may be necessary for you to turn off sound dampening features in your car’s computer settings. Once that’s done, keep your ears open for any squealing noises or rough spots in the sound of your engine. This may be an indication that your car needs repairs. Also pay attention for shakes in the steering wheel or strange sounds when the car shifts gears.
2. Maintain your tires. Tires endure wear and tear as you drive on different surfaces and are often affected by weather changes such as ice, snow and extreme heat. Check your tires regularly to ensure that they remain properly inflated. Getting your tires rotated can also prevent accelerated tire wear. Maintaining your tires will help to ensure your car continues to ride smoothly. It will also help improve your gas mileage and lower the risk of having a blowout.
3. Get an oil change. Oil is the lifeblood of your vehicle. It keeps intricate and delicate parts in your engine lubricated, so they function smoothly. However, as engine oil gets old, it can build up particles that ruin its ability to lubricate. This can cause engines to overheat, break parts or even seize. That’s why it is important to get an oil change at every manufacturer recommended interval. Check your service manual to learn when you need to bring your car in.
4. Take care of your battery. Battery technology has come a long way in recent years, but that doesn’t mean that you can get away with ignoring them. In addition to making sure corrosion isn’t building up on your battery’s contact points, they also need to be checked to make sure they are properly charging. A battery that is not charging properly can indicate electrical system problems, which can become dangerous if left unattended. Also make sure the proper battery for your specific type of vehicle is installed to prevent safety hazards.
5. Check your coolant levels. Check the owner’s manual to ensure that you know what type of coolant your car needs. You don’t want to overfill your car’s coolant system or use the wrong type of coolant. Some vehicles, especially BMW and Mercedes-Benz, have turbochargers that have special coolers built in. These systems use different fluids (like oil) than the rest of the engine, and getting these fluids mixed up can cause serious problems.

Considering the technological advances in modern cars, it’s easy to get mixed up dealing with car troubles. That’s why it’s critical to take your car to a German car repair shop with the skills to handle your car’s unique needs. If you drive a luxury German-made car and need mechanical repairs, engine management, diagnostics, air conditioning, tires or just some advice, our service team is here to help in whatever way we can. Call us at (650) 591-8998 or schedule a service appointment online.