Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles offer the luxury you expect from the legendary brand, plus emission-free driving made possible by innovative battery power. When planning summer travel, it’s important to be aware that your Mercedes-Benz EV’s battery is affected by intensely hot weather. In fact, your range may vary based on the temperature outside. Whether you’re staying in West Chester or heading to even hotter parts of the country this summer, keep reading to learn more about electric cars in extreme heat.

How Does Hot Weather Affect EV Range?

Both extreme heat and cold can affect an electric vehicle’s battery, as the battery will require more power than normal to regulate its own temperature, propel the vehicle forward, and keep you comfortable inside. As a result, you may have limited range on days with extreme temperatures. Very cold weather (below freezing) reduces range more than very hot weather (90 degrees or higher), but you should still plan for less range than normal on scorching days.

This is shown in AAA’s Electric Vehicle Range Testing Report, which reveals that driving a battery electric vehicle (BEV) on a 95-degree day resulted in a four percent decrease in combined driving range (when compared to the same test on a 75-degree day). This may not seem like much but consider this: When using the A/C system, that loss of range jumped to 17 percent. It’s important to keep in mind that your battery is being drained faster when you’re using A/C to keep cool inside your vehicle.

Electric Car Battery Life in Hot Climates

In addition to a loss of range, your battery can also degrade more quickly due to extreme heat. According to Chase, if you drive frequently in high heat, park your car in direct sunlight on very hot days, or charge your car during extreme temperatures, your battery’s degradation can speed up.

So, how do you avoid harming your battery while maintaining your EV’s range on sweltering summer days? Here are some tips.

• Park your car in a shaded area. This will help keep your battery’s temperature down.
• Charge your car when it’s cooler. As Chase mentions, charging your car during the hottest time of day can heat up the electric current, making it stronger as it goes into your battery. This can be potentially detrimental, so it’s best to charge in the morning, evening, or overnight.
• Keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI. SteerEV writes that tires can naturally overinflate in summer heat, leading to decreased efficiency.
• Open the windows. If you can, turn off the A/C for portions of your drive to avoid losing range.
• Pre-condition the cabin. In certain Mercedes-Benz EVs, you can set the climate control to pre-condition the vehicle’s interior while plugged in. This helps save battery power once you get going.
• Schedule regular service. Avoid overworking your battery unnecessarily by keeping the rest of your car in top condition. Visit Mercedes-Benz of West Chester, OH for our state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz service center.

If you have any questions on the best ways to care for your EV when the weather is hot, let us know. The team at Mercedes-Benz of West Chester is here to help.

For the majority of the year, driving conditions are pretty tepid. But the true test of your integrity as a car owner, and the quality of your car comes during the winter months. This is when you can truly get punished for not taking care of your car unless you take care of the necessary winter car prep. Between harsh winter weather and the toll the cold, ice, snow, and salt can take, you really have to step up your winter car care game to get your vehicle winter ready. 

Your Winter Car Prep Checklist

We don’t want to see you or your car on the side of the road this winter season. The best way to avoid any issues is to make sure your car is ready to take on whatever the next few months have in store. So before things get really rough, here are 5 simple winter car care tips that will help you and your car be ready for the colder months ahead. 

 

Juice Up Your Battery

Having to wait for a jump in the middle of the cold and possibly snow is up there with the worst things to happen in winter. If you don’t check your battery before the cold weather sets in, you’re really taking a gamble. The extreme cold that we tend to see can make it difficult for your battery to operate. And the last thing you want is to come back to your car left in a cold parking lot and find it dead leaving you with no heat. The best advice you’ll get today is to get a volt test on your battery now. This will tell you what the health of your battery looks like and whether or not you should invest in a new battery. 

Maintain Your Tires

When it comes to driving in winter, the quality of your tires is paramount. But it’s not just about what kind of tires you have but keeping an eye on your tire pressure as well. Investing in winter tires or all-season tires is a great idea and one we highly recommend. You want something that you can rely on for snow, rain, mud, and anything else you may encounter this year. However, something that gets overlooked often is tire pressure. As the air gets colder, tire pressure can drop up to one pound per square inch with every 10-degree drop. Keep an eye on your tire pressure and make sure you fill them if they are looking low. 

Check Your Fluids

Every fluid in your car is going to help it perform the best it can during the colder months. For this reason, it’s very important that all of your fluid levels are good and fresh. Change your oil and filters if it’s coming near time, flush and refill your coolant/antifreeze, and fill your windshield wiper fluid. Doing all of these now will ensure that your car works the way it should even when temperatures drop. 

Wash Your Car

This may seem like a weird thing to do, but it’s surprisingly important. However, this is something that you should do throughout the winter months. As more snow hits the roads, the county will salt those roads in an effort to keep them as clear as possible. But that salt will also end up on your car, especially all over your undercarriage. While the salt really helps the roads, it can wreak havoc on your car and cause rust. That is unless you give it a good wash after a big snow. Both an automatic and manual wash will work, as long as you can hit your undercarriage well. 

Pack an Emergency Kit

Everything is all fun and games until your car dies in the middle of a snowstorm. Whether you slid on ice or something happened with your engine, or maybe even ran out of gas, having an emergency kit may just save your life. Depending on the weather and where you are, you definitely need to be prepared for anything. Here are some things you should have packed: 

 

• First-aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Snow brush and ice scraper
• Flares
• Multi-tool with a knife
• Portable charger
• Air pump
• Shovel
• Cat litter or sand
• Candle and lighter
• Thermal blanket
• Snacks and water

 

Stay Safe Out There

 

Winter can be a crazy time, but making your vehicle winter ready ahead of time can go a long way. These are just a couple of things you can do, but there’s always more. Do your research and talk with our fantastic service technicians about what you should have done before the colder months are on top of us. Be smart and stay safe this holiday season! 

Ohio is known for a lot, and Cincinnati is definitely one of them! Experiencing this great city can be an absolute blast, but not without its caveats. Parking, like in most big cities, can be a bit of an annoyance. 

As a West Chester resident, you know that parking downtown can be hard to come by, especially on weekends. With street parking as one of only a few options available to you, it's simply an unavoidable part of your life behind the wheel. So, if you have to park on the street, you may as well stay safe. Below are some basic things every Mercedes-Benz of West Chester driver can do to ensure the safety of their vehicle when parking on the street.

Understanding Street Parking In Cincinnati

 

Having to parallel park on a busy street can certainly be nerve-wracking. In fact,  parallel parking is something that many drivers struggle with, but it’s still an important skill to master. So, how comfortable are you with parallel parking? More importantly, can you parallel park? Because if the answer to either of these questions is no, you may want to just pony up the twenty-or-so bucks required to gain access to an oversaturated parking garage. However, if you have the mettle to take on the tall task of parallel parking on a busy city street, keep reading. 

 

Need to Know

• Pay attention to the street signs: A common joke among big-city drivers is street signs are something that should be simple to interpret but, oftentimes, they’re not. With differing messages, time restraints, and symbols all coexisting on the same small rectangular sign, parking legally on the street can require some focus and mental fortitude. Take your time, read the signs and ensure that you won't be returning to a freshly booted vehicle.
• Park under street lights, not tree branches: If possible, it's always a good idea to park your car in a well-lit area. In general, the more visible your car is, the safer it will be. On the other hand, parking under trees should be avoided whenever possible. Trees shed debris with rain and wind and, on occasion, come down completely in severe weather. Not to mention bird poop is rather annoying, especially with a convertible.
• Fold-in side mirrors: One of the easiest ways to protect your car when parking on the street is by simply folding in your driver-side side mirror. This prevents an irresponsible driver from passing too close to your parked car, clipping off your mirror, and continuing on with their day, leaving you with the bill for repairs.
• Take or hide your things and lock up: On average, over 80,000 unlocked cars are stolen yearly. That's right, unlocked cars. So, while this may seem like an obvious tip, it is an important one. Lock your car, take your keys with you and be sure that no valuables are visible to people passing by and peeking in. Make sure potential thieves are not interested in your car or anything inside it.
• Hey Siri, drop a pin: People are forgetful. We forget our keys, our phones, and our wallets. Heck, sometimes we forget whether or not our kids are in the backseat. We also, on occasion, forget where we park. Prevent this issue by dropping a pin on your maps app before you leave your ride behind. Then, when you're ready to return, simply pull up the pin and find your ride in no time.

 

Investments To Remember

• Car wash: Getting your car washed about every two weeks is a great way to make sure your car looks presentable. Beyond that, it shows would-be thieves that you pay attention to your vehicle. Oftentimes, car thieves target vehicles that look neglected. The idea here is that they will have more time after the theft to do with the car what they want before the owner even notices it's gone. So, protect your car's exterior appearance and show people you care about your ride with frequent washes. 
• Snow cover: A snow cover or car blanket protects your car from all elements. Whether that's snow, hail, tree debris, or bird droppings, a cover is a great way to protect your ride and prevent passersby from seeing what's inside.
• Sunshade: Over time, constant exposure to the sunlight will cause fading and cracks on your dash and other areas of your interior. A sunshade is a great way to protect your car's interior and prevent potential thieves from seeing something worth stealing in your car.
• Catalytic converter shield: This may sound like an unnecessary precaution, but when you consider the fact that an experienced thief can steal a catalytic converter in about two minutes, that $350 shield is looking a lot better than a $2,000+ converter.

 

Explore Cincinnati Without Stress

 

With more and more people moving to major metropolitan areas each year, parking in areas like Dayton is getting harder and harder to find, while inventory for car thieves has never been higher. However, if you follow these steps, you can rest easy knowing that you've done all you can to protect your car while it's parked on the street.

Fall is finally here! The weather’s getting cooler, leaves are changing color, all signs that winter is not far behind. And while we may not be able to get you mentally ready for the change of the seasons, we can certainly help you prepare your car for fall and winter! Welcome to Fall Car Care Month at Mercedes-Benz of West Chester!

The Quintessential Fall Car Care Month Checklist

Fall is the perfect time to start checking up on your car. The weather isn’t entirely too cold yet, the Holidays are still a ways off, and you aren’t facing any severe weather conditions. The autumn season is prime for getting out in the garage or bringing your car to our service centers to get everything checked out before the real test of your car’s performance comes.

Now you may be asking yourself, why is it important to check up on your car before winter? Well, dealing with car problems when it’s cold out is just not a great time. And we want you to always have a good time driving your Mercedes-Benz. And while these tips may seem like common sense, you’d be surprised just how often these can fly under the radar and end up causing much more serious problems down the line.

15 Tips to Prepare Your Car For Winter

• Checking and Refilling Fluids: All of your fluids play a crucial role in keeping your Mercedes-Benz performing at its absolute best, and during the cooler months you don’t need anything less. Taking a look at your oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and transmission fluid and refilling or changing any needed is a great way to prepare your car for the winter months ahead. Also, checking your antifreeze/coolant is an absolute must, as that will keep your engine from getting too cold should the temps drop.  

• Change the Oil and Filters: While we’re on the topic of fluids, your oil is a big one that you should be up to date on. Ignoring an oil change, especially in winter is not a great idea. Old oil in your system greatly increases the risk of your engine overheating, severely damaging the engine. Check when your Mercedes-Benz is due for its next oil change and make sure you get the filters changed as well. That way your brand-new oil stays new for as long as possible! 

• Test the Heating/HVAC: Yes, your AC system may seem like an afterthought when it comes to having to prepare your car for winter and Fall car care. However, your HVAC is also responsible for filtering the air, dehumidifying your windshield, and heating your car. So making sure everything there is in working order before the weather gets too cold is probably a good idea. 

• Tighten Your Hoses: Making sure your antifreeze and fluids are all topped off is great, but it won’t do you any good if it can’t reach your engine. If your hoses have any leaks or breaks, there’s a good chance you’ll overheat your engine when the cold weather hits and your engine has to work overtime to keep it warm. Be sure to give your hoses a good look over and tighten any that seem loose. 

• Look at Your Belts: This actually goes hand in hand with your hoses. Hot summer months can severely degrade the belts in your engine. When checking under the hood, you should look for any signs of excessive wear, fraying, cracks, or looseness. If you do notice any of these, bring your Mercedes-Benz over to Mercedes-Benz of West Chester and we’ll set you up with a new belt. 

• Test Your Exhaust: Checking your exhaust system as part of your fall car care checklist could actually save your life. If there’s a leak in your exhaust, carbon monoxide could seep into your car. Not only that, but a damaged exhaust system can also result in lower mileage. Keep on the lookout for weird noises, smells, a vibrating gas pedal, or a rumble when your car is sitting still. All are signs that your exhaust system is damaged. Our Mercedes-Benz -certified technicians will look for rust, holes, leaks, and other damage that may be present during our inspection. 

• Check Your Brakes: You want to be able to stop when you need to stop right? Especially if the weather is giving you trouble, you don’t want your brakes to be something else to worry about. Bring your Mercedes-Benz over to Mercedes-Benz of West Chester and our service team will make sure your brake system is in good working order. Replacing your brake pads and rotors is an essential part of your Fall car care and winter prep. 

• Inspect All 4 Tires: The quality of your tires is just as important as that of your brakes. If your tires are worn down, they’re not going to do you much good in snow or rain. Make sure to not only check the tread but also their pressure. Tires lose pressure when the temperature drops and changing a flat in 30-degree weather isn’t fun. If you really want to future-proof yourself, getting a good set of snow tires or all-season tires will be greatly beneficial. 

• Pay Attention to Steering and Suspension: You want to be in complete control of your Mercedes-Benz in the event of bad weather. Making sure your power steering and suspension are up to par is the best way to remain in control at all times. If you’re worried, our team can take a look at your shock absorbers, struts, and chassis to see if anything needs adjusting or replacing.

• Test The Battery: Bering able to rely on your battery during the winter months can be a huge weight off your shoulders. So be sure to check the charge and quality of your current battery. If it’s been more than three years, it may be time to replace the battery completely. Visit our service center and we’ll be able to set you up with a brand-new battery just in time for Winter. 

• Replace Your Wipers: Did you know that the quality of your windshield wipers actually factors into your yearly inspection? That’s because if your wipers are leaving heavy streaks on your windshield, you will not have very good visibility. And visibility is essential in any type of winter weather.

• Wash Your Car: This may definitely seem unnecessary, but hear us out for a second. Cleaning your car of all the summer mildew and dirt can help prepare it for what’s coming. Waxing your car can also protect it from snow, ice, and salt. Furthermore, it’s a good idea to regularly clean your car after it snows. Icemelt and salt can accumulate and erode certain components of your undercarriage if left on for extended periods of time. While not as immediately important as other tips on your Fall car care list, it won’t hurt. 

• Clean Your Headlights: Between dead bulbs and cloudy headlight covers, there’s enough to check to warrant this being on your Fall car care list. Your headlights do two things out on the road. They help you see what’s in front of you, and they help other drivers see you. Check your bulbs and clean your headlight covers and ensure both of these functions are unimpeded. 

• Pack Roadside Kit: If the unfortunate happens and you have car issues or slide on ice or snow, having a pack of supplies to fall back on is a great idea. Some things that should be in your roadside kit include an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight, blankets, bottled water, non-perishable food, and a first aid kit. You can never be too careful. 
• Get AAA/Roadside Assistance: No Fall car care list would be complete without roadside assistance. These guys can be literal life savers and save you from having to sit out in the cold waiting on a tow company and praying that they’re open. Companies like AAA offer 24/7 support and assistance so they’re always there when you need them.

Stay On Top of Your Fall Car Care

It may seem like a lot to keep track of, but if you follow this Fall car care checklist, you’ll be more than prepared for when the colder months roll around. And if there’s anything you need to replace or you can’t check out yourself, you can always make Mercedes-Benz of West Chester a part of your winter car prep by scheduling an appointment with our service center in West Chester. Make sure you prepare your car for winter right with Mercedes-Benz of West Chester!

How To Make The Most Of Your Test Drive?

Are you looking to buy a new car? Whatever the reason, when you decide to buy a car, most people tend to ignore the test drive. Sadly, this is where you make a mistake. Every car dealer offers a test drive to ensure that you buy the best vehicle, the one that suits your needs. 

When you buy anything, you tend to try it out to check its performance and whether you are comfortable using it. Similarly, when you purchase a car, you need to check out the performance, efficiency, and comfortability that it offers. This is the primary reason behind asking customers to opt for test driving. 

If you are not aware of how to check the efficiency of a test drive, don’t worry. Here, we have come up with some practical tips to make the most of your test drive: 

1. Call ahead of your test drive 

Generally, the test drive is scheduled beforehand when you are buying a car. Give a call before the day of your test drive to the dealer. This call is not just a reminder, but we suggest you ask the seller to keep the engine cold before driving. If any seller has to hide any fault, he will surely warm the engine. This will hide the startup issues and unusual noise. On the contrary, if the engine is cold, you can see the smoke and hear the rattling noise. 

2. Bring some equipment 

Although many may not find this tip suitable, if you want to check the inner parts of a car, it is suggested that you bring some accessories. This will help you assess the potential of the car. One of the more valuable pieces of equipment could be the tire tread depth gauge. Since this is a small tool, carrying it will not be a problem. The tire tread depth gauge allows checking the depth. If there are issues with the depth, it can lead to deadly accidents. 

3. Check under the hood 

When you are out for a test drive, be confident and drive the car as if it is your own. So, before you start driving it, check under the hood. One essential part of this process is to check the fluids. Paying a closer look under the hood will tell you if there are any leakages or damages. 

4. Test the brakes 

The brakes constitute an important organ of the car. When you press the brakes, you will feel a healthy response from it. If there are issues in the brake, you should be able to easily notice. When applying brakes, listen for any squeaking or creaking noise. 

5. Test the steering 

Checking the steering of the car is vital. Try steering the car all the way from the left to right and see whether it produces any popping sounds. If you hear any, know that it is a clear indication of damage to the car’s front.

How to Plan a Road Trip

Planning a road trip can seem like a daunting proposition; However, with constructive guidance, it can be a lot easier. This article will walk you through the steps to plan a road trip. Let's explore the tips and tricks for planning a road trip.

• Planning the route:

The first step is to research the location of the road trip. Then you should also set the time and budget for the trip. Search potential travel destinations on search engines and check the itineraries for the perfect ideas. the sights you want to see and create a suitable route map to get to your destination faster and avoid obstacles.

• Create a budget:

Before doing anything, it is extremely important to have a budget. Therefore, set a budget per day for the trip. Find out the cost of the vehicle and check the prices daily. At the same time, you should plan the budget for accommodation, meals, and other leisure activities.

• Make the bookings:

Now that you have framed a budget for the road trip, and you can use it to plan other facets of the trip. Make bookings for your accommodation, food, and other day-to-day costs involved. You must make every booking before starting the trip to confirm your stay in the place visiting.

• Create a packing list:

Once you have planned the route efficiently, you must create a list of packing essentials. To help you and make things easier for you, here are a few essentials that you must adhere to.

• Car charger
• Car pillow
• Dashcam
• Quilt
• Phone holder
• Phone with navigation
• Toilet paper and more

When packing personal items, you must make use of a suitcase or the main bag. However, make sure you have a small bag for the essentials.

• Essentials to keep handy:

Make sure that you have the documentation ready to reach the final location. This includes the following:

• Spare key
• Driving license and passport
• Car registration documents
• Insurance

 

• Prepare road trip food:

When you are traveling from home, it is essential to prepare and take the food along. Make sure you check the road trip food ideas and plan the perfect meal for you and your family. Plan and prepare meals before you start your road trip.

• Create the itinerary:

One of the main goals is to create a planned itinerary for you. If you need help with inspiration, look at the suggested routes. The itineraries are step-by-step guides that you should know before leaving. Make sure to create itineraries that include everything you need to know before you start your route.