Thanksgiving Travel To Be Up From Last Year

With gas prices at a lower price than they were at last year, Thanksgiving travel is expected to be up by about 3% compared to a year ago. This great news makes us want to ask the question. Where are you planning on going for Thanksgiving this year? Will you be staying in town or driving to be with the entire family? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

To learn more about this year's travel statistics, take a look at this article from USA Today. Also, remember to stay safe and have a great time with your loved ones this Thanksgiving! There is always much to be thankful for.

Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Tips

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, many have plans to travel to a family get together or to warmer destinations. But how prepared are you really for your upcoming travels? We take a look a strategies and tips that may help ensure that your travels go as smoothly as possible.

Travel Light:
As more airlines start charging for checked bags, it’s a good idea to pack light and carry on your bag. But keep in mind that your fellow travelers will all have the same idea and overhead space may be tight onboard.

Choose the Best Days:
Did you know the day before Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day of the year closely followed by the Sunday after the big day? Avoid these days by flying out on Monday or Tuesday or even Thanksgiving morning to avoid the dreaded Wednesday travel rush. When you’re ready to head home, take flight on Friday when many have moved on from the airports to the shopping centers to score the best holiday deals.

Stay Tech Savvy:
It’s commonsense to arrive at the airport early — you’ll need the time for parking, security whatever else airports have waiting for you. But you can avoid some airport hassles by taking advantage of useful applications that can be used on your smart phone. iPhone users can get updates on the airport, including maps showing the gates and restaurant information, using the GateGuru app. Airlines including Southwest, Delta and United all have mobile websites where passengers can check in, confirm seats and keep track of their flight status. Specifically on an airline like Southwest, it’s very important to check-in to your flight 24 hours prior. By doing this ASAP ensures you a better number in line to claim the seat that you desire.

Holiday Driving:
While you certainly save money and avoid some headaches traveling by land, navigating the highways presents its own set of holiday challenges. Follow the same best practices for road travel, including avoiding the highways on the Wednesday before turkey day and the following Sunday. Plan your route ahead of time and travel with a GPS system, smart phone or old-school maps to offer alternatives if you need a Plan B.

Remember though, your travels could be a stressful situation but remember to appreciate the time you’re spending with your loved ones. Have fun this Thanksgiving, be safe and plan ahead.

Don't Leave Home Without These Travel Apps

 

As the Holidays begin to approach, many have plans to travel to different locations whether it's to visit family or just to get away. The big question is, do you have the apps necessary for traveling?

With so many apps out there today, lets take a look at which 11 apps you should have when traveling according to Buzzfeed. These apps are perfect whether you're flying or driving:

1. Translator with Speech
2. Lyft
3. WhatsApp Messenger
4. LoungeBuddy
5. XE Currency
6. Rove
7. GonnaGo
8. Travel List
9. WikiHood
10. RoadNinja
11. City Maps 2Go

Winter Weather and Your Car, Is It Ready?

Have you prepared your car for the winter weather that’s fast approaching? Here are some tips to make sure you are fully prepared for whatever this year’s winter weather decides to throw at you.

Regular Maintenance

Now’s the time to get your car up to speed on all of its regular maintenance. That means taking care of any fluids that may have been neglected while you were out enjoying the summer sun or going in for that 60,000-mile tune-up if you’re due. Check, change and/or top off your oil, coolant, brakes and transmission fluid as needed. In the case of your oil or automatic transmission, make sure you get a high-quality filter, too.

When looking at your car’s brakes, check to see if your rotors are warped or cracked. Do they have deep grooves or are the pads worn close to their minimum clearance? Your vehicle will be experiencing harsher conditions soon, so avoid any potential problems as soon as possible. Make sure all your lights are working properly to ensure good visibility. New bulbs are easy to install yourself or easy to have installed when getting your vehicle serviced. The same goes for windshield wipers. If your blades are more than six months old, odds are it’s time to swap them out for new ones.

Check Your Tires

Go ahead and have your tires rotated and inspected. The last thing you need in cold, wet weather is to be driving on bald or dry rotted tires.

Consider looking into snow (or winter) tires, depending on your location or length of time you’ll be spending in the snow. Winter tires are made with special low temperature resilient rubber compounds and have deep treads that grip unplowed snow and ice.

Don’t forget to make sure your spare tire has enough air in it. Once you’ve made sure everything looks good, take a look at your tire pressure.

Stock Your Car

Stranded by the side of the road can be dangerous in the best of conditions, but when sub-zero temperatures or bad weather is involved, it could become deadly. Try carrying these helpful items in your vehicle:

- a blanket
- jumper cables
- a flashlight
- chains
- a first-aid kit
- a small knife
- flares
- water gloves
- small shovel
- waterproof matches
- ice scraper
- a bag of sand or kitty litter to help provide traction if your car is stuck in the snow

What The Halloween Candy You Give Out Says About You

Every Halloween millions of Americans purchase their favorite candy to hand out to trick-or-treaters as they make their way around the neighborhood Halloween night. But, does the type of candy you give out say something specific about you as a person or your personality? Check out the infographic below to see what exactly each candy option says about you. Let us know if you agree in the comments section!

The best 2+2 sports car for $30,000, or $40k with tech

The sleek and compact $30,000 Mercedes-Benz CLA you saw in the Super Bowl commercial is real. The CLA is fabulously good-looking at the cost of rear-seat comfort. At the same time, it’s a genuine Mercedes with a lot of safety tech in the base model. Equipped for comfortable long-distance cruising, you’re closer to $40,000 than $30,000.

The hallmarks of the all-new seven-passenger 2013 GL-Class

Find your tires here and schedule a service appointment with our excellent staff today!

Let us help you ensure a safe, comfortable ride with a set of Mercedes-Benz-recommended tires.

Weekly Car Care Tip: Park in the shade

Of course, a garage is always the ideal place to park your car. But if one isn’t available, minimize interior damage from UV sunlight and heat by always trying to park your car in the shade. If no shade is available or if you find parking under a tree results in bird droppings, use a car shade to minimize the sun’s impact. As a bonus, you’ll have a cooler car to step into on hot sunny days. Car shades come in two basic types: those that you unfold and place on the front windshield and rear window, or pleated types that attach to the windshield posts (with adhesive), window frames (with Velcro), or the windows themselves (with suction cups).

Mercedes-Benz will build a ‘super S-class’ sedan in 2015

Mercedes-Benz may have given up on the ultra-luxurious Maybach sedan, but apparently not on very high-end luxury cars.
Dieter Zetsche, CEO of parent company Daimler-Benz, told Automotive News that a 2015 model “super S-class” will fill some of the over $200,000-space that Mercedes ceded when it killed the slow-selling Maybach.

The super S-class will compete with vehicles such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Mulsanne.

Some of Mercedes’ high-performance AMG models cost nearly $200,000, but Zetsche told Automotive News that the super S-class would give Mercedes “a bigger piece of that segment.”
The new luxury sedan will offer technology and interior features that top those of the standard S-class, he told the publication.

However, he said, it will be priced substantially lower than the Maybach, which cost about $470,000.

The All New 2014 Mercedes Benz E350 Sports Sedan!

The new S-Class scans the road ahead using Magic Body Control. This improved active suspension system can almost entirely compensate for body movements resulting from uneven roads!

2014 E-Class Sedan Driving Footage -- Mercedes-Benz

AMG Driving Academy "Carousel"

2014 E-Class Cabriolet -- Mercedes-Benz Convertible

Mercedes Benz Wednesday Car Feature: Active Blind Spot Assist

When your vehicle is traveling above approximately 20 mph, this system uses radar technology to sense when a vehicle enters the blind-spot area. Blind Spot Assist then automatically alerts the driver via an illuminated red icon in the appropriate side mirror. The system also gives an audible warning if the driver activates a turn signal while a vehicle is detected in the blind spot. And if you disregard the alerts and begin changing lanes, advanced active technology can apply the brake to a single rear wheel, to help guide the car back into its lane.

Bigger and roomier Mercedes-Benz C-Class headed our way in 2014

The rumor mill 's volume is turned up high with talk that the 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class will be bigger, roomier and quite the stunner. The German car's automakers are reportedly looking to automotive steal the spotlight from such C-Class competitors as the BMW 3-Series and Audi 4 (also in line for a makeover) according to Automotive News.

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class which is billed as one of the most sought after luxury rides in its category currently on the market will reportedly be dramatically different than the current 2013 model. It's no secret that the company is injecting youth into their design plans and have indicated that they are actively targeting the 'Similac set' for their classic midsized luxury ride.
Spy shots have hinted that the C-Class will have a striking resemblance to its larger and more expensive sibling, the redesigned S-Class scheduled to hit showrooms this fall.
The upcoming C-Class will have three body styles including a sedan. Additional 411 details regarding the C-Class includes a 2.0L 4-cylinder, a twin-turbo 3.0L V6, and an upgraded diesel, better fuel efficiency and innovative automatic stop/start system.
As far as technology, the C-Class will have loads of cutting-edge stuff:
•Internet connectivity
•Adaptive damping control
•Electro-mechanical steering
•Collision prevention system, with stereo camera
•Steering assist
•And Brake Assist Plus with Junction Assist
Mercedes-Benz C-Class enthusiasts can also expect a coupe version to come down the pike in about another two years which could be named CLK (a name that was dropped by the automaker). The auto grapevine says that a convertible C-Class with a fabric top should also zoom into dealer showrooms in early 2016.
Soccer moms should not salivate over the thought of a possible C-Class station wagon coming to these shores because it will only be sold in Europe.TT

How To Wash and Wax Your Car

It may seem counter-intuitive, but frequently washing and waxing your vehicle is the best way to maintain its exterior paint finish for years to come, regardless of the constant wiping and rubbing it entails — but only as long as you're using the right products in the correct order. All major brands of car washes, car waxes and related detailing products are specially formulated to work gently on the clear-coat paint finishes found on every car built since the mid-1990s. They're ideal for removing dirt above and below the surface, eliminating swirls and other imperfections and leaving a high-gloss shine.
Such obsessive-compulsive labor need not be arduous, however. While there are multiple procedures involved in washing and waxing a car to perfection, it's not necessary to do them all at once. Some steps should be taken weekly. Others can be employed every few months or annually. If you want to watch some pros using the techniques described in this story, check out the instructional videos from car-care product companies Meguiar's and Mothers.
At all times, there are some simple car wash rules to keep in mind:

• No matter which stage you're at in the car wash and wax process, it's always best to have the car parked in a cool, shady place.

If the water you're using to wash the car is hard — meaning that it contains a lot of minerals — it will leave spots on the paint's finish when it evaporates. That happens more quickly in hot sunlight. And although many modern, synthetic polymer-based car waxes are sun-friendly since they won't dry too quickly and become difficult to remove, you'll expend less effort if you use them on a cool surface. For best results, the car's surface should be no more than warm to the touch.

• Be sure to have a good stock of microfiber towels on hand for washing and drying the car, and for applying and removing car wax and related car-care products.

A microfiber towel is gentler to a car's finish than a cotton towel or chamois, which could mar the finish, creating slight scratches or ruts that accumulate over time. Microfiber towels require special care, however. Wash them separately from all other laundry and especially not with linty cotton towels. Use hot water and don't use fabric softener. Run them through at least one additional rinse cycle in the washing machine. Then dry them on a low-heat setting. Finally, stop using them on painted or glass surfaces when they begin to show their age by, for example, shedding lint. Instead, use them for polishing wheels and, later, for polishing stainless steel exhaust pipe tips.

• Keep the car's paint in showroom condition through a four-step process: washing, cleaning, polishing and waxing.

It's important to use the correct products at the correct stages. This will prevent unnecessary damage to your car's finish.
Washing
The most critical of the four steps is washing, which removes the loose contaminants that gradually accumulate on the surface of the finish, creating a gritty residue that could cause scratches in later steps if it's not removed properly first. This requires a genuine car wash product (such as Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash, Mothers California Gold Carnauba Wash and Wax or Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Car Wash). These products are pH-balanced and formulated to loosen and lift surface contaminants without stripping away waxes.
You should avoid normal dish soap, laundry soap and household cleaners. They are designed to remove and dissolve grease and oil, and they will strip away the waxes and in some instances could damage the car's finish.
Wash the car thoroughly, working from the top down and utilizing a lamb's wool or microfiber washing mitt. Professional car detailers prefer these because the nap of the lamb's wool or microfiber draws the dirt particles away from the paint. Re-dip the mitt in the bucket after each panel of the car is washed. That cleans the mitt and ensures that you're again working with fresh suds.
For soft convertible tops, dip a soft bristle brush in the suds and work the dirt out of the grain using small, circular strokes. If the top is heavily soiled or stained, use a product designed for convertible tops, such as Meguiar's Convertible Top Cleaner. These products are pH-balanced to safely lift dirt from cloth and vinyl tops without damaging the stitching.
Dry the car thoroughly with a soft, absorbent waffle-weave microfiber drying towel. Do not store the top in the down position if it is still wet, says the Haartz Corporation, a leading manufacturer of convertible tops. Make sure the top is completely dry before storing.
Experts recommend washing a car this way weekly.
For casual touch-ups between washes, you can use a spray-on product called a detailer (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer, Mothers California Gold Showtime Instant Detailer and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Spray Detailer). Detailer products slough off light surface dirt, but don't offer any protection.
Cleaning the Gunk
Next, inspect the paint, searching for above-the-surface bonded contaminants such as a thin film of tree sap, bird droppings or pollen and below-the-surface defects such as swirls, oxidation caused by the sun's ultraviolet radiation or etching from acid rain.
Lightly sweep your flat hand along the paint. If it does not feel as smooth as glass, you have above-the-surface contaminants. A clay bar designed for car care (such as the one included in Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit or in Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Kit) is mildly abrasive to shear off and remove these contaminants. It should be the first product you use to try to remove them. Rub it over the affected area, kneading and turning it to expose a clean area when necessary.
For below-the-surface defects, you can use a cleaner with mild abrasives (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Compound or Mothers California Gold Pure Polish). Use a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad to apply it, using small circular, overlapping strokes. Never use hard pressure.
Cleaning a section of the vehicle at a time, remove the cleaner with a microfiber towel that you've folded into fourths. Use one side to break up and wipe away the hazy product, then flip the towel over to a clean side to remove any additional residue. Your paint should now feel smooth and should be free of swirls and defects.
If upon the initial inspection you do not find any defects — either above or below the surface — you can skip the cleaning step altogether and go straight to polishing and waxing. However, experts say that use of a clay bar probably will be necessary every six months.
Polishing
Polishes and glazes add luster but do not protect the finish, so using them is entirely optional, especially since clear-coat finishes are highly resistant to oxidation. Even years-old cars generally retain their shine today.
Nevertheless, products such as Meguiar's Ultimate Polish and Mothers California Gold Micro-Polishing Glaze can restore the natural oils your paint once had, making the car's surface more reflective and shiny. Using a polish or glaze once a year may be helpful. Although light-colored paints such as white, silver and tan may not display much change, darker colors such as black, burgundy and navy blue will reflect light like a mirror after proper polishing.
As you did during the cleaning process, apply the polish or glaze by hand, using small circular, overlapping strokes with a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad on one section of the car at a time, removing the polish with a microfiber towel after the product becomes hazy. Don't allow the polish to dry completely. Trying to remove dry polish will almost certainly result in scratches to the finish.
Waxing
For protection, you need to apply a car wax, and experts recommend that this be done at least every three months. However, there are varieties of wax that can be used much more frequently. If you're really obsessive, some can be used as often as every few days.
The newest synthetic polymer-based waxes (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Wax, Mothers California Gold Synthetic Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Liquid Wax) generally provide longer-lasting protection and are easier to use in the sun than older-style carnauba-based waxes (such as Meguiar's Gold Class Carnauba Plus Wax and Mothers California Gold Pure Brazilian Carnauba Wax).
Normally, the newer liquid or paste waxes provide the longest-lasting protection — usually three or four months if the car is kept in a garage and not exposed to a harsh environment.
When applying a liquid or paste wax, you'll use the same technique: small, circular, overlapping strokes, using a microfiber-covered or foam applicator pad and working one section of the vehicle at a time. As in the other steps, remove the wax with a microfiber towel that you've folded into fourths, using one side to break the waxy surface, then flipping the towel over to a clean side to remove any additional residue.
Spray waxes (such as Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax, Mothers California Gold Spray Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Spray Wax) are designed for quick application but generally don't offer the same long-lasting protection as the liquids or pastes. Experts say that spray waxes should be used as a booster between the quarterly applications of the liquid or paste waxes. Some car-care experts recommend using these spray waxes as often as twice per week. Some say once a month is sufficient.
A Special Caution on Matte Finishes
Except for washing with a car wash product, nothing should be done to or applied to a car covered in a matte paint with a flat finish, such as Mercedes-Benz's "designo Magno" series. These matte paints also can be cleaned in a brushless automated car wash as long as the machine does not apply any shine agents. And as with a car that sports a glossy finish, it is important to clean bird droppings, tree sap and other surface contaminants from a matte paint finish immediately.
Your Car Wax Mileage May Vary
Despite their suggestions for how often owners should clean and wax, product manufacturers won't make any firm promises for how long any of their products will actually protect a vehicle.
"How long a wax lasts on Car A is not necessarily true how long it lasts on Car B," says Michael Deddo, senior research chemist at Turtle Wax in Willowbrook, Illinois. "Every car is like its own paint canvas. Every one is different."

The Illuminated Star -- Mercedes-Benz Accessories

All-New 2014 S-Class Features -- "Vision Accomplished"

5 Tips for the Perfect Summer Road Trip

Summer has practically become synonymous with road trips, both as a way to save money on airfare and to have some fun-filled adventures on the road. Whether you're traveling with a minivan full of kids or you're taking a trip up the coast with your girlfriends, here are five top tips from travel bloggers to help ensure a road trip to remember.

Bring a Paper Map

Before you see the dreaded "no service" pop up on your smartphone, which will keep MapQuest or Siri from getting you where you need to go, make sure to bring along a paper map or a print-out from your go-to site for directions, just in case. Marissa Willman of His & Her Travels admits that maps are "old fashioned," but she says, "you'll definitely appreciate the back-up if your travel tech fails you on the open road. After the trip, you can always get crafty and turn those maps into coasters or add them into scrapbooking pages."

Juice Up Your Go-To Gadgets

We all have our must-bring gadgets for road trips, like smartphones and tablets, but don't forget the accessories that go along with them, like the iGo Power Trip, which lets you power up your cell phone, digital camera, or iPad from wherever you are. Another must-have is a universal car inverter to keep laptops and DVD players juiced since they often don't hold more than two to three hours of battery power. Also, grab a headphone splitter so two can share the audio of a DVD and a Stashcord to keep earbuds tangle-free.

Don't Forget Plates, Bowls, and Utensils

Just because you're away from your home—and your kitchen—doesn't mean you need to eat fast food or camp out in restaurants at meal times. Laura Walker of A Wandering Sole suggests bringing along plates, bowls, napkins, and utensils, then taking short excursions to the grocery store for foods you can easily prep on your own, like sandwiches and salads (be sure to bring a cooler, too). Even picking up oatmeal packets and cereal bars is better than getting mini donuts for breakfast at a gas station, and it's a lot healthier and economical, too.

App Up Your Phone

There are so many apps out there that are lifesavers, as well as fun-makers, to have on road trips. iExit is a great one since it shows gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores at upcoming exits on the interstate, suggests Karon Clark Warren of All Things Lifestyle. Or, check out the Roadside America app for quirky roadside attractions or Roadside Presidents for help finding historical landmarks on your journey. Need a bathroom (ahem, a clean one)? Then, grab the free SitOrSquat app. How about WiFi access? Then, get WiFi Finder, which will tell you the location of the closest WiFi hotspot.

Set Expectations

When traveling with a group, whether beloved family members or favorite friends, rendezvous beforehand (in-person or on the phone) to talk about what each person wants to do and see in order to manage expectations during the trip. Laurence Norah of Finding the Universe suggests such a pre-trip pow-wow in order to avoid potential tensions that may arise when visiting the "97th giant ball of twine the driver wants to see." Also, be flexible to ensure everyone in the car has a good time and gets to do many of the things they want to along the way.

Source: Fodors

Mercedes-Benz SL History television commercial

Spring is here and it's time to get your car clean!

Hurry in and get your car detailed for only 109.95!

Mercedes-Benz plans to use QR codes to save lives

Open a magazine, go to a shop, get handed a business card or look at a flyer and the odds are pretty good these days that you’ll be staring at a QR code. Those boxy little patterns turn any bit of paper into an interactive medium that, with a quick scan by a smartphone, will unleash all sorts of information, but can they save lives? Mercedes-Benz believes that they can and plans to use QR codes on all its future cars to help rescuers reach victims quickly and safely.

A car crash can be a frightening episode with every second counting as rescuers try to cut driver and passengers out of the stricken vehicle. It’s also hazardous for the rescuers because a saw cutting through a battery or a fuel tank means risking electrocution, fire or even explosion. That’s hard enough to avoid on a conventional gasoline-powered car, but with so many new types of hybrids and electric vehicles, the job has become that much harder.

Promoted by the ADAC, the German Automobile Association, rescue sheets are simple schematic diagrams of various model cars from different years. These sheets are designed to point out the best places to cut the roof off and to show rescue crews the positions of airbags, gas generators, fuel tanks, gas bottles, structural reinforcements, batteries, high-voltage components, control points, seat belt tensioners, and gas-filled springs.

These sheets are a simple and obvious solution, but there’s still a problem. Where to put the rescue sheet in the car? The most popular recommendation is to tuck it behind the sun visor, but given the average motorist, will it stay there? There there’s the question of how to get to it after a crash and, if they can't, how can the rescuers get the right sheet without a lot of web surfing and cross checking.
Mercedes-Benz’s solution is to place QR codes on its new cars, so that rescue crews can use their smartphones or tablets to instantly retrieve information on how to make a speedy and safe recovery. Two stickers will be placed on the cars. One under the fuel tank flap and the other on the B-pillar on the opposite side. The reasoning is that it’s unlikely that both of these spots will be damaged. The crews just scan the codes and their device pulls up the correct and up-to-date sheet.

Since Mercedes-Benz has made rescue sheets for all its cars going back to 1971, similar QR stickers can be retrofitted to older vehicles. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz has waived patent rights for the idea, so other car makers can make their own stickers for their own vehicles.
Source: Mercedes-Benz

1980 mercedes benz 300sd commercial

Concept GLA -- Mercedes-Benz Sport Utility Vehicle

How to Drive Safely in the Rain

Beware of driving in the rain, especially at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars can be camouflaged amongst glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors. It's best to have a light colored car that isn't easily camouflaged in the night.  

1. Turn on your headlights. Many states in the U.S. require headlights when it is raining, even in broad daylight. This will make it easier for you to see what is in front of you; thus, preventing any accidents.
   
   
2. 3
   Keep a minimum of a good five car length from the car in front of you. You never know what other drivers are going to do or what could happen to you! If that feels too close or too far a rule of thumb is 1 second of following distance per 10 miles per hour. That holds true especially in bad weather.
   
   
3. 4
   Drive at or below the speed limit to the extent that you are comfortable with, and can see far enough in front of you to appropriately make driving decisions.
   
   
4. 5
   Be aware that the maximum speed at which you can drive is DIRECTLY related to your tires. Be sure to know what their condition is in. Radial tires have better traction than the old bias ply polyester tires, but even they lose their ability to grip wet pavement and channel water out as the tread wears out.
   
   
5. 6
   Be aware of hydroplaning. This is where your vehicle travels on top of the water and has NO or very little contact with the ground. Your traction is reduced significantly. To safely get out of a hydroplaning situation let off the gas and steer straight or slightly in the direction you must go. Do not make sudden motions and remain calm.
   
   
6. 7
   Avoid flooded roads. Never drive through standing or flowing water in a road way unless you have no choice or you are able to follow someone else to judge the depth of the water. Flooding the engine of your car can cause the engine to stall, and deep water can actually float your car and take it off the roadway.
   
   
7. 8
   Turn on the defroster if the windshield begins to fog. In hot, muggy weather, air conditioned air (which cannot contain as much moisture) will usually clear the inside of the windshield faster than non air conditioned.
   
   
8. 9
   Be aware that brakes can be affected by water. Wet drum type brakes are especially prone to decreased stopping power after driving through deep water.
   
   
9. 10
   Watch for splashing from potholes and pools of water that accumulate at clogged storm drain pipes and low areas of the pavement. Highways also develop "ruts" where the heaviest traffic tracks, and you may be able to position your vehicle while remaining in your lane to avoid these.
   
   
10. 11
    Use a rain repellent product on side windows and mirrors to clear standing raindrops .
    
    
11. 12
    Beware of driving in the rain, especially at night. Motorcycles or even other dark-colored cars can be camouflaged amongst glistening raindrops on side windows and mirrors. It's best to have a light colored car that isn't easily camouflaged in the night.
    
    

2014 E63 AMG S-Model Wagon -- Product Manager Walk Around

2014 E-Class Commercial -- "Hard to Imagine" -- Mercedes-Benz

It's such a beautiful vehicle that you need to see this up close!

Stop into Mercedes Benz of Fort Wayne & check out the all new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 Sport Sedan!

Click here for more information: http://bit.ly/18YrOGK

How To Change A Flat Tire

There’s no sound  as disheartening to a driver than the flop flop of a flat tire. They always seem to come at inconvenient times, too. But to a man who knows how to change a flat, that flopping noise is a chance to display his self-sufficiency.

Just like knowing how to jumpstart a car, knowing how to change a flat tire is a skill every man should possess. It will save your own butt when you’re out on some lonely stretch of highway and come in handy when helping a damsel in distress or a hapless traveler on the side of the road. Follow these steps and you’ll back on the road in no time.

Tools needed: Spare tire, jack, lug wrench.
1. Park your car on a flat surface. If you get a flat while on the road, pull your car as far away from traffic as possible . Make sure to put on the emergency brake. It’s also recommended to put a block on the tire opposite of the flat tire. Put to use that fruitcake from Aunt Gertie you’ve been toting around in the trunk. Here’s a blocking example: if your right rear tire is flat, put the block on the front left tire.
2. Remove the hubcap. If your car has a hubcap, remove it so you can get to the lug nuts. Use the hubcap to hold the nuts, just like the dad in A Christmas Story. Just don’t let your kid hold the hubcap or he’ll lose them and drop the F-bomb.
3. Loosen the nuts. Grab your lug wrench and place it on the flat tire’s lug nuts. Loosen them up by turning them counterclockwise. The nuts are probably on there really tight, so you’ll have to use all your man strength to unscrew them. Loosen the nuts a few turns, but don’t take any of them off yet!
4. Place the jack underneath your car. Check your owner’s manual for the correct placement of the jack. Turn the hand crank at the end of the jack to raise the jack until it comes into contact with your car’s frame. Make sure it’s touching a sturdy spot.
5. Jack it up! Start cranking the jack until the wheel is high enough above the ground to remove the tire.
6. Remove the flat. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel. You should be able to do it by hand because you’ve already loosened them. Remove the flat tire and lay it flat. You don’t want the wheel to roll into traffic during rush hour and cause a thirty car pile-up.
7. Slap on your spare. Take your spare tire and line up the lugs, or bolts, with the holes in the wheel and slide the wheel on. Once the wheel is on, take your lug nuts and tighten them by hand until you meet firm resistance.
8. Lower the car. Lower the jack until the wheel is firmly on the ground.
9. Finish tightening your lug nuts. These babies must be on super tight so the wheel doesn’t come flying off while driving to the tire shop to get the flat fixed. So you need to unleash the super power of the star pattern to get those lugs tighter than a deer tick. Use this tightening pattern if you have five bolts on your wheel. Start with any lug nut and then follow this pattern:

If your car has four, use this pattern:

Special Coupon Offers for May

 Save on parts or service with this month's special offers, fans!  Print your copy of the coupon and bring it in to claim your discount!

Link: http://on.fb.me/ZAze2n

2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class – This is the First Official Photo!

The May 15 world premiere date for the all-new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is nearing, and the first official photo showing the exterior of the car has broken cover, courtesy of the German firm itself. To explain, Mercedes-Benz uploaded the picture on its mobile consumer website in Austria earlier this morning but has since removed it. The single picture shows the front-quarter end of Mercedes’ new flagship luxury sedan, which is dominated by a larger grille than on the current model and teardrop-shaped headlights.
We’re not absolutely sure about this, but the model shown here may be the one sporting an AMG package or at least a sportier trim line, as the bumper looks too aggressive with its creases and large air intakes.
Codenamed W222, the all-new S-Class features a similar side profile with the CLA below the waist line, albeit with different proportions, obviously. Compared with the current model, the wheel arches are no longer exaggerated.
Besides this official image, a fan site named "Humster3d" also posted 3D-renderings of the S-Class that you can check out in the gallery and video posted below.

2014 B-Class Electric Drive Product Manager Walk Around -- Mercedes-Benz Electric Vehicle

2014 E-Class Commercial -- "Hard to Imagine"

Stop in today to get a behind the wheel of a beauty!

Now is the perfect time to look into getting a convertible that you've been dreaming for! Check out this 2013 Mercedes Benz E350 convertible. Painted in Mars Red, this vehicle will make your neighbor jealous!

Click here for more information

The 2013 Mercedes Benz GLK 350

It may be a little snarky to say so, but you can view the current Mercedes Benz GLK 350 as the Subaru Forester for the rest of us, if by "us" you meant those people who wouldn't be seen driving a Subaru.

In terms of its crossover mission, overall dimensions, and prevalence of all wheel drive, the Geländewagen Luxus Kompaktklasse, or "compact class luxury cross country vehicle," is nearly identical to the Forester. However, the comparison breaks down very rapidly from there, even as you are likely to see both in the Whole Foods parking lot in Greenwich.

 For a compact, all wheel drive crossover, the GLK 350 is fairly powerful. The standard motor is a naturally aspirated, 302-hp 3.5L V-6 with direct injection, mated to 7-speed automatic with paddle shifters. The GLK 350 also features the company's "ECO Start/Stop" engine management system to save fuel in heavy traffic. The GLK is also quick, not Infiniti FX37 quick, but still capable of putting down a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds, something no Subaru Forester yet made could ever hope to do.

Mercedes-Benz

It's a driver's paradise behind the wheel of a GLK 350, with a 10-way power seat and leather upholstery.

Following a 2012 facelift, the driver of a GLK 350 will also be arriving in style. Frankly, the first generation GLK was not very good looking, something that is fully a curse of the entire crossover genre. Now generally, and especially with the optional AMG styling option, the GLK looks the part of Mercedes equally at home at the country club or the unimproved road to a summer cabin. Through the use of optional high intensity LED lamps replacing the traditional round fog lamps, the exterior designers were liberated to make the GLK's face more elegant and allow it to stand out in its segment as about as sporty and good looking as one could hope for in a tall, wagon-ish vehicle.

The GLK comes with the full array of standard and optional equipment that anyone would expect in one of the company's sedans. Standard in every version are luxury touches such as a 10 way power driver's seat with memory feature, a four way power adjustable steering column with multi-function steering wheel mounted controls and paddle shifters, burl walnut trim, and 11 way airbag protection. The optional 4Matic and AMG appearance package options have already been mentioned, but there are others, such as the "Lighting Package," which utilizes Bi-Xenon headlamps that can follow along with the arc of a turn which you can also leave on high beam as the car itself detects oncoming traffic and dims the headlamps to a lower intensity.

If you can afford to, you can also keep the base price climbing by leaps and bounds by clicking off boxes for a hard drive based navigation system, an eleven speaker Harmon/Kardon stereo system with MP3 player connectivity and even systemic storage for 10GB of music, indexed and made available by voice command.

The GLK 350 may be a departure design-wise for the company, but this crossover is every inch a Mercedes Benz.

CarWoo.com

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/autos/2013-mercedes-benz-glk-350-luxury-subaru-article-1.1317274#ixzz2QecTF7Gv

2013 GLK Commercial -- Compact Luxury SUV -- Mercedes-Benz

Check out the all new 2013 Mercedes-Benz C250 Coupe!

This beauty could be yours for only $379 a month for 36 months! Call us today to schedule a test drive!

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Mercedes-Benz at the 2013 New York International Auto Show

2014 CLA45 AMG Premiere -- All-New CLA 4-Door Coupe -- Mercedes-Benz

Hands-on with the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-class interior

Mercedes-Benz must believe there's more to the interior of its 2014 S-class sedan than can be expressed in a breathless press release -- more than can even be shown in a handful of shadowy teaser photos.

Because there's no other way to explain how we found ourselves in a darkened room somewhere outside of Stuttgart, listening to Diana Krall on a crisp sound system while getting a “hot stone massage” alongside a handful of fellow journalists -- except that we did it all without leaving the very comfortable seats of a long-wheelbase 2014 S-class sedan sporting a camouflaged exterior.

According to Dr. Goetz Renner, head of the M-B customer research center, the upcoming S-class will strive to offer “active luxury” features rather than simply reducing environmental discomforts. So this “car-as-spa” concept that we got a taste of makes a certain sort of sense, especially as Mercedes-Benz works to replace the discontinued Maybach marque and go head-to-head with other luxury heavy hitters.

 

Mercedes-Benz
Yes, the 2014 S-Class is button-laden. But there's a lot more to the interior than switches and actuators.

But it isn't as though the ride of the current S-Class is anything but comfortable. Once you've got the typical noise, vibration and harshness concerns locked down, what's left?

“We want to energize you,” explained Dr. Renner.

Of course.

Realizing that attributes like beauty and luxury are tough to quantify, Mercedes-Benz ambiance technicians developed a spherical “Coordinate System of Interior Perception” to calculate the mathematically ideal S-Class interior using complex multiplanar geometries.

That's what we imagine you'd have to do to arrive at “Coordinate System of Interior Perception.” But Mercedes insisted the coordinate system was a real thing, at least for the purposes of Dr. Renner's presentation.

However the S-Class interior redesign played out, the result was enough to inspire one comically over-the-top press release boasting of the car's 152 buttons! One hundred-plus actuators and electric motors! Hot stone massages! A massive 12.3-inch infotainment screen! A 43.5-degree reclining rear seat! And so much more!

 

Mercedes-Benz
We were skeptical of the onboard perfume dispenser, but smelling is believing.

But the most eye-roll-worthy new feature of them all was the onboard aromatherapy system. It's indicative of where Benz is trying to take the S-class, and it sounds like a complete gimmick -- on paper.

So we're glad we talked with Sabine Engelhardt, who developed the fragrance-dispensing system for the Maybach before moving on to the S-Class. Engelhardt freely acknowledges that there are obstacles to selling consumers on onboard perfuming. “Car fragrance is typically the Magic Tree air freshener,” she explained, “and if people want to talk bullshit [before trying the system], they will.”

Her honesty was refreshing, and the end result is far more subtle than we imagined it: The entire active perfuming apparatus tucks away neatly in the glove box. To operate it, you plug in a paperweight-sized glass canister containing perfume. The vehicle's HVAC system does the rest, wafting timed bursts of the scent throughout the car.

There are four fragrance “moods” available from Mercedes-Benz: “Nightlife,” “Downtown,” “Fireside” and “Sport.” Engelhardt was right about the delicacy of the scents. To our nose, all were inoffensive -- we're not sure if uninformed passengers will even notice them. If you want to step up your S-Class with the high-class aroma of Aqua Velva, no worries: Since the canister system accepts liquid scents, it can accept nearly any off-the-shelf perfume, cologne or aromatic oil.

 

Mercedes-Benz
Good old German over-engineering makes the "hot stone" massage better than average.

Then there are the hot stone massage seats. In-car massage tech has always been a bit underwhelming -- more about the concept of getting a massage while driving than the actual quality of the massage itself. We're not sure if it the new system feels like a hot stone massage (we've never had one), but it was certainly a step up over the usual Sharper Image/robot pincer experience.

We were told that designers looked to previous S-Classes for visual inspiration. We like to think that we saw hints of those grand old boats in this new generation's fluid lines -- the armrests suggest the funkily curved ones found on the doors of the W116 -- but we're sure designers started with a (mostly) fresh slate.

SL65 AMG Walk Around -- V-12 Hardtop Convertible Sports Car

Spring is here!

Time to get rid of all of the sand and salt that winter driving has placed on, in and around your vehicle. Our Detail Department would like to help you restore your vehicle's beauty!
From now until April 29th, our normally priced full detail package of $169.95 is on sale for: $109.95!

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Next 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class – Finally with Smell-O-Matic

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has not yet been officially revealed in its entirety, but the folks from Stuttgart have peaked our interest by releasing a series of interior images and information.  Mercedes has gone above and beyond any interior standard imaginable.  Many of the new S-Class components, such as the steering wheel, are put together by skilled hands of craftsmen.  The level of interior design, material quality, and execution is second to none.  Ever since we spied the new S-Class testing in Colorado last year, we wondered what ground breaking technologies will it bring this time.   Now we are getting a glimpse into the interior features of the new S.

The 2014 model brings features such as advanced massaging seats, and heated arm rests.  It also has a ground breaking dual-view center dash screen.  This monitor allows two different channels to be viewed on the same screen at the same time.  The driver may see the Navigation screen, while the front passenger could enjoy a movie at the same time.  This technology is based on the viewing angle, and still sounds like science fiction.

However, the feature that catches the most attention is Mercedes’ new “Active Perfuming System”.  This feature comes as part of the “Air Balance” package which includes special air filtering with ionization.  The Active Perfuming System allows for interior smell customization via different smell cartridges.  The user can manually turn it on or off and adjust its intensity.  Mercedes says that this system will not permanently change the smell of your S-Class and that the perfume molecules do not attach themselves to fabric or clothing.  This way, you can enjoy your favorite smell while in transit, but you will not smell like your Mercedes once you get out.

The 2014 Mercedes S-Class will have a longer wheel-base limousine version, ultimate luxury and comfort, and likely a stratospheric price tag to go along with it.  The limousine version will challenge the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce, and also give a choice to those people who are mourning the demise of the Maybach brand.  We cannot wait for this car to be properly revealed.

Source: TFLCAR

Monday Maintenance Tip!

 

Run your AC during the winter! To keep your car’s air-conditioning system fit for the next warm season, run it a few times throughout the winter. This will prevent moving parts in the compressor from seizing. Also, circulating the refrigerant will help keep the seals soft and pliant.

SL-Class Retractable Hardtop -- Mercedes-Benz Roadsters

Happy 1st day of Spring!

That means it's the perfect time for a new car. Check out our latest specials here running through April 1st!

Click here for our inventory

Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6 revealed: New six-wheeler mixes luxury and extreme driving

Eat your heart out, Hummer.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its all-new G 63 AMG 6x6, showing off both the vehicle’s insane off-road capabilities and its limousine-like interior that will make even the bumpiest of rides as cozy as a ride to a movie premiere.

The Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6 is not for the squeamish. In fact, this six-wheeled beast nearly demands to be driven through some mud and over some rocks, followed by a cruise through the Sahara.

Mercedes-Benz

Whether climbing a mountain or fording a river, the G 63 AMG 6x6 is designed to offer passengers true Mercedes-Benz comfort.

And if a body of water gets in the way, no worries. “Fording a river becomes almost child’s play,” according to a statement from Mercedes, citing the vehicle’s fording depth of over three feet.
Built as a show vehicle to determine consumer demand, the G 63 AMG 6x6 almost exclusively uses parts from production G-Class models, including its AMG V8 bioturbo engine with 544 horsepower.


Ground clearance is no problem thanks to six massive tires, while the vehicle's almost 8-foot height and nearly 7-foot width would be daunting to even a seasoned SUV driver.

Mercedes-Benz

Whether climbing a mountain or fording a river, the G 63 AMG 6x6 is designed to offer passengers true Mercedes-Benz comfort.

As for scaling a mountain, the 6x6 features 15 different spring rates and gas-pressure shock absorbers that will keep the vehicle’s lucky occupants feeling a fairly smooth ride.
The six-wheeled machine is the first vehicle from Mercedes to boast an added pair of tires since the G-4, which served as a command car for Nazi Germany’s Wehrmacht army in the 1930s. Nearly 80 years later, the automaker is ready to offer it for civilian use.


For every ounce of off-road machismo the G 63 AMG 6x6 boasts outside, this six-wheeler is a total softie inside. Diamond-pattering quilting and leather upholstery make sure there’s no mistake that this army-ready SUV truly is a Mercedes.
Mercedes has only built two examples of the G 63 AMG 6x6 so far, and will gauge response to the vehicle to determine if and when it goes into full production.

Source: New York Daily News

50th Anniversary of the Pagoda SL -- Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicles

2013 GL-Class Walk Around -- Mercedes-Benz 7 Passenger Luxury SUV

Monday Maintenance Tip: Tread Depth.

To check tread wear, use the penny trick. Insert a penny into the tread groove with Abe Lincolns face showing, but with his head upside-down. If you can see all of Abe Lincoln's head, it's probably time to replace your tires!