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18 votes
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Second hand car - Engine/Tyres/Etc

The below are very easy checks you can do while buying a used car.(from anywhere for that matter of fact) Engine This is the most complicated/expensive part to maintain/replace. Head Gasket check: ...
Shobin P's user avatar
  • 8,946
10 votes
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What is this box next to my car's battery?

That is your diagnostic connector. You will need a Mercedes-specific tool to read trouble codes stored by the computer.
tlhIngan's user avatar
  • 12.2k
10 votes
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Mercedes C180 (W204) dash symbol

The symbol is for "Speed limit assist" and is based of a forward facing camera that allows detection of the speed limit and then possibly displays this on the multifunctional display. Information can ...
bob1's user avatar
  • 216
7 votes

Second hand car - Engine/Tyres/Etc

Tyre depth gauges look something like this (amazon link) - you can buy them in any automotive store. You press the green bit against the tyre and push the middle bit into the tread groove. The slidy ...
Nick C's user avatar
  • 28.7k
7 votes
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Is it fine to use higher octane gasoline than what is recommended on the fuel cap sticker

It means "at least". You will not cause any damage by using the higher octane fuel. The reason for the RON 95 rating in the first place, this is the lowest octane rating you can run before you might ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
6 votes

1983 Mercedes Diesel - Loses Power Over Time

Drop the fuel tank and inspect the contents, looking for jellyfish, fluff, water, dirt, and the bones of lizards... Paulster2's initial comment was spot on. Although I doubt it is a single "...
SteveRacer's user avatar
  • 12.4k
5 votes

What good is it for an engine to have lower CCs and higher BHP?

I would like to add two valid points to this discussion as well: 1) When producing engines like this which produce more power with lower CC's, they won't be as smooth as their bigger naturally ...
Dan's user avatar
  • 480
5 votes
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How to fix 2007 Mercedes SLK daytime running lights?

After hours of tracing cables, removing panels and taking apart more of the car than I'd like to admit, I figured the issue out. Apparently there's a cable for control current (or something like that)....
Kallja's user avatar
  • 251
4 votes

2008 MB C300 Will not start

I just repaired the identical car, the ignition does not come on and the wheels are locked and it sets steering column mechanical fault codes. This means the solenoid that locks the column to stop ...
victor's user avatar
  • 41
4 votes
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Does overheating that goes away under high RPMs indicate a sticky thermostat?

It very well could be the thermostat. However, did you check the obvious things, like coolant levels and make sure you don't have any air pockets? I had an overheating issue that would manifest after ...
James Drinkard's user avatar
4 votes
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Trouble starting car, cold weather. MB A140 W168

A car battery's power will drop with temperature. It would be my first port of call. Since the car ran fine when you had it jumpstarted with the help of your friend, I would have the battery tested ...
Zaid's user avatar
  • 39k
4 votes
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Can I use "Designed for BMW" Michelin tyres with a non BMW?

Can you use them? Yes. Should you use them? Depends on what you are looking for. Most of the times (not always) these special tires are just a modified version of a regular tire. What makes them ...
race fever's user avatar
  • 3,363
4 votes

Automatic car won't start, steering wheel won't turn, key just makes car click etc - but radio works?

There's a lot of good answers and discussion about electrical issues and other complicated things, but to me it sounds like the steering lock is under tension and not allowing the key to turn all the ...
JPhi1618's user avatar
  • 13.3k
4 votes

Esp not available message

Ok, so the ESP is the "Electronic Stability Program". There's a bit of explanation and backstory here from Mercedes. (Which I found quite interesting.) There are a couple things you can check before ...
kyle_engineer's user avatar
4 votes
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Found a set of car keys, now what?

There are a few ethical options available to you. Leave a note/poster nearby stating that you have found a lost key Post on social media that you have found a lost key so word gets around Hand in the ...
Terry's user avatar
  • 327
4 votes

Found a set of car keys, now what?

I cannot post a comment so in addidion to Terry: go to facebook, join a local community (from where you found the key) - something like: buy and sell Philadelphia (no idea if it exists) - post that ...
AnyOneElse's user avatar
4 votes

Can I switch my electronic ignition to one which uses a key?

can I switch that electronic ignition starting with an old-school key? No. At least, not anywhere near 'easily'. That ignition switch, from what I can see, has about 13 low-current wires. At least ...
isaacparrot's user avatar
3 votes

1983 Mercedes Diesel - Loses Power Over Time

This sounds to me like the engine/ECU might have a "limp mode" that the ECU uses to keep the engine running, but with reduced power output, when it detects a lack of control over the engine's ...
dlu's user avatar
  • 14.4k
3 votes

Timing chain of a mercedes benz

I've checked a number of sources and they all state that the engines in these are Interference Engines so there is a good chance of contact between the valves and the piston crowns. A compression ...
Steve Matthews's user avatar
3 votes

Does overheating that goes away under high RPMs indicate a sticky thermostat?

It sounds like the issue is with heat rejection. The tell-tale sign is that the coolant temps rise into the red when the car is at idle (low RPM, little air flow across the radiator), but when the ...
Zaid's user avatar
  • 39k
3 votes
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I own a 1989 Mercedes 560sec that has rpm surges for no real reason

There may be a vacuum pipe that goes from the engine inlet manifold to the transmission. I have seen symptoms a little like this caused by damage to this pipe on a similar aged car.
HandyHowie's user avatar
3 votes

Mercedes E-350, 2006 sedan ignition problem

As it's a security-specific component on a relatively new high-end car, I suspect you won't be able to use a second-hand part - You will probably have to get a new one from Mercedes. Even if you could ...
Nick C's user avatar
  • 28.7k
3 votes

MB 2004 C320 wagon overheating at idle

One important thing here. What exactly do you mean by "the engine overheated"? How do you know that? Did a light come on? Did the gauge go into a warning zone? Did the A/C quit working altogether (...
zipzit's user avatar
  • 6,549
3 votes
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Automatic car won't start, steering wheel won't turn, key just makes car click etc - but radio works?

A mechanic looked at it and determined the steering lock was the problem. He replaced it and it works now. I don't know what exactly was wrong and how a bad steering lock caused all that. I don't know ...
Questioner's user avatar
3 votes
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Proper operating temp for a 1983 Mercedes 380SL?

Nope that sounds about perfect. Remember there is a spring on the radiator cap that keeps the engine coolant pressure to around 13 PSI for most manufacturers. Water doesn't boil until around 242°F (...
zipzit's user avatar
  • 6,549
3 votes
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Can I fix the power seat in my ML430 myself?

Is your airbag warning light on? Especially if it is, you should check under the seat to see if any cables are unplugged - it could be as simple as that. There are also two 30amp fuses UNDER the ...
Cullub's user avatar
  • 1,364
3 votes

Esp not available message

The full message should be "ESP not available, see owner's manual", so you should check your owner's manual for troubleshooting tips. According to http://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w204/505469-esp-...
Jason C's user avatar
  • 4,900
3 votes

Hot wiring 2002 C230

This doesn't give you the answer you were looking for, but I'll post it here in case it gives you a desirable end result. They don't make it as easy as on other vehicles, but you can shift it into ...
atraudes's user avatar
  • 697
3 votes

2006 Mercedes CLK350 - Oil / coolant leak, or a mechanics mistake?

There are several things you need to do now: Get the radiator flushed and coolant changed immediately. Check the oil level in the vehicle. Ensure it looks as though you'd expect it to look (dark ...
Pᴀᴜʟsᴛᴇʀ2's user avatar
3 votes
Accepted

Mercedes B200 ABS+ESP+Tire Pressure lights after simple repair

The wheel speed sensor is in the proximity of the wheel bearing. Lack of a speed signal from one of these sensors could trigger any of these warnings. Have the mechanic check the sensors, their ...
user28910's user avatar
  • 255

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