Santa Monica and West Los Angeles Mercedes Repair

The alternator in your Mercedes-Benz is a vital part of your electrical system. It powers most of your vehicle’s electronic components, including the headlights, power windows, windshield wipers, heated seats, and even radio. It also continuously charges the battery. With many jobs to do at once, you can quickly face difficulty when the alternator goes wrong.   Here are some of the warning signs that indicate your alternator is failing: Dim or Flickering Lights The headlights on your Mercedes-Benz get their power from the battery and alternator. When your alternator malfunctions, your headlights won’t perform as they should. You may notice dimming or flickering beams. Engine Starting Problems Without a working alternator, your engine won’t run for very long. The spark plug needs the electrical energy to ignite the air and fuel mix. Plus, your battery may die from a failing alternator. As a result, you may notice engine starting problems. Electrical Warning ... read more

Now that summer is around the corner, many of you are finalizing your vacation plans. If you are planning to take your Mercedes on the road this summer, it is important that you proceed with safety and care.   Before setting out on your summer adventures, it is essential to make sure your car is running properly. The team at Jeff's Mercedes Auto Service has some useful tips to make your trip stress-free. Please make sure you test the following before embarking on your getaway. Cooling System – It can get quite hot in the summer, so it's especially important that your car doesn't overheat after extensive driving. Sometimes, we may recommend a coolant flush beforehand to ensure your engine gets enough coolant. Battery – A dead battery often catches drivers off guard. Your battery is used not just to start your car but to run your A/C, radio, power windows, electronic chargers, and more. A battery test can give you peace of mind that your battery can keep ... read more

It can be rather difficult to keep the inside of your Mercedes-Benz organized. This problem is compounded if you happen to have children. No matter how hard you try to keep your car free of clutter, it seems like the battle never ends. If you struggle to find anything in your car when you need it the most, continue reading to discover some tried and tested to keep get better organized. Make Cleaning a Habit If you want to keep your car free of trash, you must make it a habit to clean the inside of your car at least once a week. This does not have to take a lot of time. While you might want to do a deep clean every month or so, vacuuming and dusting the inside of the car only takes 10-15 minutes of your time. The difference it will make in how good you feel while driving is immense. Focus on the Center Console If you are one of those drivers who just throws everything they have in the center console, you will have trouble finding anything in a matter of weeks. Take some time to orga ... read more

With every new season comes a new list of must-have maintenance items. The team at Jeff's Mercedes Auto Service is always looking out for you and your Benz. We've created this checklist for everything you may need for your car this spring. Oil and Filter Change - It's always a good idea to change your oil, no matter the season. This will ensure your engine runs healthy all spring. Battery Test - Testing your battery will help you determine whether you need it replaced soon or not. Check Tire Pressure & Tread - Tire health and safety are vital, which is why you should regularly check your tires for proper inflation and even wear. The warmer weather may cause your tires to expand, so please adjust their psi if necessary. Replace Windshield Wiper Blades - These should be replaced every 6 months to 1 year. If it has been a while since you changed them out, please do so. Clean and Test your Vehicle Lights - Even though daylight savings may have just started, you're ... read more

On those chilly, Los Angeles mornings and nights, you're going to want your car heater to warm you up. When your vehicle's cooling system stops working, you may notice that there's little to no heat coming from the vents, foggy windows, and coolant leaks around. At Jeff's Mercedes Auto Service, we can help you regain control of your Mercedes-Benz cabin temperature. No matter what time of year it is, you should be driving comfortably in such a luxurious car. Common Causes for Car Heater Problems in Mercedes-Benz Low Coolant Your Benz uses coolant to keep your engine at a tolerable temperature. When you have your heater turned on, the coolant works within the heater core to deliver the engine's warm air through your vents. If your car is low on this fluid, often due to a leak, it won't be able to reach the heater core at all. Problems with the Heater Core Speaking of the heater core, it may be the cause of no heat. This part has tubes that move the coolant ar ... read more

Question #1 - Can I Continue Driving With the Check Engine Light On? A lit check engine light could represent something very minuscule, like a loose gas gap in some scenarios. In this case, it would have no impact on your vehicle performance. However, if your check engine light is on, you should try to get it to an auto repair shop as soon as you can to avoid engine damage. Driving should be limited until you get to the service facility.  Question #2 - What Does a Flashing Check Engine Light On? A flashing check engine light has a different meaning than a steady check engine light. A blinking indicator may suggest you have engine problems that are very severe and sometimes beyond repair. If your check engine light is flashing, you should stop driving immediately. Please pull over to a safe spot and call for a tow to the auto repair shop. If you continue to drive and strain your engine, it will result in irreversible impairments. Question #3 - How Do I Turn Off the Check Engine ... read more

If you plan on going out for New Year's Eve this year, we highly recommend that you plan ahead of time. We want to make sure you can welcome 2022 with health and safety in mind. Here are some of our friendly reminders for you this New Year's Eve! Tip #1: Plan your ride in advance So many people will be out and about for this particular holiday, and many of them will be intoxicated. If you plan on drinking, please have a safe ride lined up before you start popping the champagne. You should know your options in advance and decide between public transportation, Uber/Lyft, or having one of your sober friends DD. Tip #2: Don't leave your car anywhere suspicious overnight Car thefts are on the hunt on New Year's. If you have to leave your car somewhere overnight, please double-check that you've locked it before calling it a night.  Tip #3: Stay away from the use of fireworks or firearms Often guns and fireworks are sometimes used during the countdown at Ne ... read more

There is shocking research behind how many drivers lack the knowledge of basic car maintenance and installations. For instance, more than 60% of drivers don't even know how to change a flat tire. To that end, we thought we'd walk you step by step in how to replace your windshield wiper blades. Because wiper blades are generally made of rubber, they wear down much quicker than other parts of your Mercedes. Constant exposure to rain, snow, dirt, and rocks can significantly decrease their efficiency. This is why professionals recommend replacing your wiper blades every six months to 1 year, depending on your usage and environment.  Step 1: Get Your Number Measurements The first step in discovering how to change your wiper blades is to research and measure the size of the replacement blade you'll need to purchase. Please examine and measure both your wiper blades. Once you've got your numbers, you know what you need to pick up. Please only buy blades from trusted pr ... read more

Your Mercedes-Benz is a big investment, which is why Mercedes car owners should make regular car washes a part of their cleaning routine. And no - we don't mean simply taking it to a cheap and instant mechanical car wash; it should be hand-washed! Maintaining your Benz includes everything from regular brake checks, on-time oil changes, tire rotations, and more. However, it also means getting a thorough car wash too. Some people only wash their car a couple of times a year, while others make it a habit to clean it weekly.  As a general rule, it would be best for you to wash your vehicle every two weeks. The interval can change depending on the environmental conditions you drive. It can also fluctuate based on weather and how often you take your car for a drive. Furthermore, if you live in a polluted area, next to the salty beach, or drive on dirt or mud roads every day, you should wash your vehicle more often. You should not limit car washes ... read more

Mercedes-Benz is a brand that is synonymous with luxury and performance. Though it may be perfect to the eye of its owners, all vehicles have their flaws and mishaps (including Mercedes-Benz). One of the most common repairs for Benz that we see at Jeff's Mercedes Auto Service is leakages. Like seeing blood on a human body, we tend to freak out when we see puddling near our vehicles. Certain types of fluid leaks can be more hazardous than others. Today, we will go over how you could determine what kind of fluid leak you have by examining the profile of the leak itself. Here is our fluid guide to determine what's leaking from your vehicle by the color of the fluid. Red Fluid A red-colored solution usually indicates you've got a leak in your transmission. This problem could stem from a faulty transmission seal or a hole in the line that supports the fluid between systems. Orange Fluid An orange leak can mean multiple things as well. If rust develops inside your radiator, i ... read more