7 Tools You Need to Do Your Own Mercedes Repair
The cost of maintaining a car is high enough. In fact, in 2017 average car maintenance costs reached almost $8500!
And that’s just regular maintenance! Think about how much extra repairs can cost. On average, one repair can cost you anywhere between $500-600. A Mercedes repair can be even more expensive.
Owners of Mercedes cars might want to find a way to save on repairs instead of shelling out hundreds at the mechanic. The good news? There are a lot of tools that you can buy to perform basic repairs at home — without the worry about how much it will cost you.
We’ve put together a guide to the essential tools that you should have in your garage to handle your own repairs. Read on to find out the top seven tools you need to do your own Mercedes repair.
1. Engine Mount Wrench
If you’ve driven a Mercedes for long enough that it hit the 100,000-mile mark, you might have noticed something odd about the way it drives. When you hit highway speeds, there can be a lot of excessive vibrations in the steering wheel and what seems like the entire cabin.
You’re not going crazy — this is, unfortunately, a common problem in Benzes that have been driven heavily.
Luckily, you can fix this Mercedes repair problem with an engine mount wrench. You’ll need to get one specifically made for Mercedes cars to make sure it works, but this wrench will let you remove and replace the engine mount on your own.
2. Car Jack
Let’s be clear — the car jack that might have come with your car to change a tire is not going to be good enough. You should only use that for emergency tire changes on the side of the road.
If you need to jack your car for anything else, you’ll need a stronger jack both for your own personal safety and to prevent damage to your Mercedes.
For sedans and smaller SUVs, a two-ton capacity jack should be enough. If you have a bigger SUV, though, you’ll want to get a bigger one. It all depends on the weight of your car, so double check that before purchasing anything.
Having a car jack will also let you perform regular checks on your car so that a repair may not even be necessary.
3. Metric Socket And Wrench Set
Most Mercedes repair jobs would be pretty impossible without a socket and wrench. You’ll need a variety of sizes to tackle repairs in all areas of your car, whether you’re working in the engine compartment or the undercarriage.
As a Mercedes driver, you should be sure that you buy a metric set that will work with your European car. You’ll need a set that has good grips. The last thing you want is for the wrench to fall out of your hand as you’re working.
You also want to buy a set where the size markings have been engraved well. Chances are you’ll only buy this set once, so you need to make sure you’ll be able to read the sizes of each tool years from now.
These are basic tools that anyone should have in their toolbox — make sure you have a good set before you try any DIY repairs at home.
4. Radio Remover Tool
What if the issue is inside your car? Another common issue can sometimes be in the radio on your dashboard.
Long car rides in silence can be torturous, so fix your radio yourself instead. To remove it without damaging your dashboard, get a radio removal tool. They’re small and cheap to buy but can end up saving you a ton of trouble down the road.
Some systems might require two tools in order to safely remove the radio, but with this tool, the radio will slide right out without any issues.
5. Spark Plug Wire Wrench Puller
Without properly functioning spark plugs, your car won’t go anywhere. Unfortunately, since they’re so important, they can also be expensive to replace.
If you find yourself needing to replace your car’s spark plug, you’ll need a spark plug wire wrench to remove the old spark plug safely. Make sure that you get one specifically for Mercedes repair, especially if your car is newer.
This tool will let you remove the spark plug wire without causing any damage. Without it, you might find yourself tugging too hard and having to pay for an even more expensive repair job.
This is a must-have for any at home mechanic.
6. Code Reader/Scanner
Of course, often Mercedes repair issues aren’t easily determined. If you’re getting an odd error code, or if there’s an issue with the car’s computer, you’ll need some extra help.
You might have seen your mechanic run a diagnostics check to try and figure out what the issue is with your car. The good news? You can buy a reader to do the same thing on your own.
Wondering why your check engine light is on? A code reader will help you to diagnose the problem right in your driveway. This can also be helpful for checking your emissions before you head to the DMV to get them checked.
7. Female Torx Set
Male fasteners are pretty common on European cars, and Mercedes is no exception. This means that a normal Torx set won’t work for you, though, so you’ll need to make sure that you buy a female Torx set instead.
You’ll need to buy a set of these to make sure that you’re able to perform all repairs on your car, instead of being caught by surprise by a fastener that you’re not able to open. They’ll come in handy whether you’re installing a new part or just changing a fuel filter.
Get More Mercedes Repair Tips
Now that you know what tools you’ll need to get the job done, you’re ready to tackle DIY repair jobs for your Mercedes! Having the tools is one thing, though, and actually doing the work is another.
If you’re still feeling a little nervous about taking car repair into your own hands, check out our repair manuals. We have guides available for dozens of makes and models. Find your guide now.