I understand that driving a lot of short trips is hard on a vehicle. About 10 months ago I started taking the bus to work and it is about 2 miles from my house to the Park & Ride. Recently, I have noticed that sometimes my car will not start and today I was idling at the red light and the car just shut off. I was able to start it again but I'm really nervous.
I was thinking of driving it longer in the mornings and afternoons but was curious if (1) that would improve the situation without taking it to the mechanic and (2) how long a trip is long enough. If it matters, I have a 2001 Mercedes CLK320 with approximately 84K miles.
Thanks in advance!
2007-04-17 13:33:16 · 7 answers · asked by Missy Mitch 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Thanks to all that responded - that is good info.
Additional info: The battery is the original battery...i just took it to the dealer (which is where I have always taken it) about 4 weeks ago for schedule A maintenance (which isn't as extensive as a schedule B maintenance - how is that for clarity :) )
But they check everything and I even told them about the problem but of course it was not exhibiting the problem while it was there and they didn't find anything. I guess I'll look into a new battery and I will take it back to the dealer.
2007-04-17 14:40:01 · update #1
Common thread- Full Operating Temp
Heinz- Or the oil won't lubricate everything properly???? What a huge error on your part for being a senior guy in here.
That is so not true! Oil lubricates properly within 3 seconds(actually much sooner) of engine start or you don't have an engine.
What does full operating temperature get you? It heats the oil to the point that condensed moisture is evaporated and expelled. It gets your fuel to air mixture off the rich warm up cycle and gets your cat converter hot(means clean). Expels condensed moisture from your exhaust(lasts longer)
Your oil/spark plugs/cat converter/exhaust- all take a beating fom never getting warm and running a rich fuel mixture.
ASE Cert Auto Tech, Shop Owner-salivating at your future maintenance bills.
2007-04-17 14:45:03 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"short" is a subjective word. I consider a short trip one where the engine isn't operated long enough to be at it's full operating temperature for at least 10 minutes.
If you get 20 serious answers to this question you will probably have at least 15 different ones. Like I said it is subjective. But putting subjectivity aside, I can't imagine anyone considering 2 miles to be anything but a short trip.
If you take it to the mall or somewhere else that requires 30 - 40 minutes driving one way, and do it every weekend, you will probably see an improvement. The engine just seems to gum up (for lack of a better word) if it is operated a lot without getting up to full operating temperature.
2007-04-17 13:44:54 · answer #2 · answered by gimpalomg 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it is the original battery might be time for a change. Also when was the last time you checked the water level in the battery, even though the new batteries are not supposed to require water it is best to check it. Some batteries are "sealed" meaning you can't, I have battery that I can take off the caps [2 ] and check the water level, I did once out of curiosity and found one cell was dry.
2007-04-17 13:49:16 · answer #3 · answered by John P 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you can afford a Mercedes, I'm guessing you can afford a mechanic. Have him take a look at it, and ask for his opinion. Don't go to a retard shop like jiffy lube or midas. Either a dealer or a shop that specializes in German cars. If you're traveling in the city, driving it longer wouldn't help all that much, but if you got the time, hey.
2007-04-17 13:41:11 · answer #4 · answered by fireturd_owner88 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stephen King's existence could be short, yet mine is plenty long. I even have too plenty on my hands. plenty, truly, that i will reread each and every of the books i've got already examine and nonetheless experience i've got no longer wasted any of it. (ok, so in line with threat no longer all of them, as a results of fact I examine a marvelous form of crappy books whilst i became right into a baby, yet nonetheless.) If there's a e book i like and desire to reread, i bypass to reread it. specific, it may no longer teach me some thing new, i will no longer improve my writing skills, it ought to no longer recreate my view of the international, and it ought to no longer motivate me to do some thing else. yet why does it constantly must be approximately productiveness? My existence isn't in simple terms a challenge to get with the aid of as many books as achievable. each and every so often i like to take a seat down returned and in simple terms get exhilaration from issues. If rereading a e book makes me happy, then why can no longer I reread that e book? If which potential i will have time to envision one much less new e book interior the long-term, then so be it.
2016-12-16 08:43:11 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One that won't bring the engine to normal operating temp. Anything less and the oil won't have had a chance to lubricate everything properly. And that is VERY tough on the engine!
2007-04-17 13:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it just sounds like you need a good tune-up and a new tank of gas.... cars are like everything else if they don't get a good work out they need more maintance---- your M-B will get another 200,000 miles with some care (( a good mechanic and some weekend driving)) ...best of luck....
2007-04-17 13:42:29 · answer #7 · answered by XTX 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋