6 Mercedes Parts That Commonly Malfunction

Certain vehicle makes are known for particular malfunctions that become common as the vehicles age. If you own an aging Mercedes-Benz, for example, you might want to be aware of the most common Mercedes malfunctions.

If you are aware of malfunctions that your vehicle is likely to experience, you can carefully plan your maintenance regime to avoid malfunctions. This knowledge will also help you easily identify the common problems when your vehicle isn't running properly.

The following are six Mercedes parts to pay attention to that are common causes of malfunctions in aging Mercedes models.

Any mechanical components of the suspension system that are responsible for anchoring the suspension may start to wear out after a vehicle is a few years old. One sign that the ball joints of the steering system are worn out is tires that lose their tread with excessive speed. Tire tread will wear out quickly with worn ball joints and steering components because the spring and wheel movements against the road surface will become irregular.

Tires with worn tread won't grip the road as well as they should and could create safety hazards. Vehicle owners, therefore, need to have this issue addressed as soon as possible to avoid accidents caused by hydroplaning.

Over time, the transmission wiring harness in certain Mercedes models is prone to developing leaks. If leaks develop in the wiring harness, transmission fluid can cause damage to the harness and to any computerized components of the transmission itself.

As a vehicle gets older, you must have the transmission components occasionally inspected. Repairing a leak early on can prevent more extensive and expensive problems from developing over time.  

The engine mounts on a Mercedes are filled with liquid. Liquid-filled mounts will show signs of failure when the engine seems to be vibrating more strongly than it should in. You can feel engine vibrations through the steering wheel and seat of the vehicle.

Faulty engine mounts will mean that the engine is unstable and moving about too much as the vehicle is driven. This will detract from efficiency and cause premature wear and tear on other mechanical components under the vehicle hood

The catalytic converter on a vehicle is important because it minimizes air pollution and allows a vehicle to pass inspection. If you live in an area where an emissions inspection is necessary, a faulty catalytic converter could cause your vehicle to fail inspection.

Abnormally smoky exhaust and misfiring are some common indications that a vehicle's catalytic converter is having problems. Unfortunately, a catalytic converter replacement is expensive. In some cases, a catalytic converter may simply be clogged and need to be cleaned out to resume effective functioning.

If your check engine light is on and you're not sure why, your gas cap may be causing the problem. Over time, the seal on a vehicle's gas cap can loosen.

The check engine light can be triggered by a loose gas cap, and having your check engine light on may cause you to fail inspection. Therefore, you need to make sure you keep a properly fitted gas cap in place.

Ignition system issues resulting from spark plug wear and tear are common in many different vehicle types. Malfunctioning spark plugs often result in engine misfires that will detract from engine efficiency and may cause engine failure eventually.  Fortunately, replacing spark plugs is a fast and inexpensive way to avoid more severe mechanical malfunctions down the road.

If your vehicle is acting up and you're looking for an expert mechanic to service it, contact us at German Car Care to schedule an appointment.