When you’re driving, do you feel your car pulling to the left or the right? Does your steering wheel vibrate?  Have you noticed that it has become more difficult to keep your vehicle driving in a straight line? Or that your steering wheel is not centered when you are driving down a straight road? A simple wheel alignment for your vehicle may solve all these problems and more.

How to Double-Check For an Alignment

To see if you need a wheel alignment, first check each tire and look for uneven wear patterns. You can do this by taking a coin to each tire and inserting it in the tread at the outside, center, and inside of the tire.

If the tread is deeper on the edges than in the center, the tire is over inflated.

If the tread is deeper in the center than the edges, the tire is under inflated.

If the tread is deeper on one side than the other, have your wheel alignment checked soon.

If you run your hand back and forth across the tread (be careful not to cut yourself on any debris) and the tread is smooth in one direction, but jagged in the other you have what is called a “saw-tooth” wear pattern caused by a toe-in problem. If your tires have a “saw-tooth” wear pattern, have the alignment checked as soon as possible as this can cause unsafe tire wear.

Aligning Your Tires

There are two types of wheel alignments, a two-wheel alignment and a four-wheel alignment. The four-wheel alignment is the best type of alignment to get for a vehicle. Having all four wheels aligned increases safety when driving down the road.

Having proper wheel alignment insures that your vehicle handles properly and returns the wheels on your vehicle to their correct angle. When your wheels are properly aligned you will not have to fight with your steering wheel when driving to make the car drive straight, or make the steering wheel stop vibrating. Maintaining proper wheel alignment can also increase gas mileage and decrease tire wear.

By making small adjustments and keeping up with regular maintenance items, like keeping your wheels aligned, can help you avoid a major breakdown in the future, and prolong the life of your vehicle.

If it has been longer than a year since your last alignment, and you are experiencing symptoms described here, or are unsure if you need an alignment, bring your vehicle into the Crown Mercedes-Benz Dublin Service Department. One of our highly trained Service Technicians can take a look at your vehicle, realign your vehicle’s wheels, and get you back on the road safely.

Adding to its already high appeal, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has achieved top safety status.
The Mercedes E-Class has been given a top safety award for the first time from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A score of “good” must be earned in each of the following: front, side, rollover and rear crash protection tests in order for the Top Safety Picks accolade to be gained.  The Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with its many safety features, set the standard in each category.

The IIHS particularly praised the decision of Mercedes-Benz to implement greater padding to the front and rear doors to improve protection in side-impact crashes. Because the safety of drivers, passengers and other drivers are the biggest concern of Mercedes-Benz, the E-Class Saloon has been fitted with a host of features to help make driving safer.

These include innovations that take appropriate action in the event of danger occurring, help to limit damage if an accident happens and ensure that things are made easier in aiding people after an incident has taken place. Among the features utilized are Attention Assist to warn motorists if they are at risk of falling asleep behind the wheel flashing adaptive brake lights to warn fellow motorists traveling behind that there may be a danger ahead.

“The E class was redesigned for the 2010 model year. This is the first time the E class has earned the Institute’s top safety designation. Earlier this year design changes were made to the padding in the front and rear doors to improve protection in side impact crashes. The TOP SAFETY PICK award applies to E class models built after March 2010.”

Source: [eMercedes Benz]

When Apple’s iPad hits European markets soon, Mercedes-Benz will be ready for the launch with a whole range of free programs available through the App Store. Already available for the iPhone, the applications have been technically optimized to ensure that fascination for the brand with the star is just as good an audio-visual experience on the new tablet device too. In addition, from the end of May there will also be a catalogue app including brochures on the E-Class Cabriolet and E-Class Coupé, as well as a version of the website www.mercedes.mobi specifically optimized for the iPad and featuring a comprehensive range of information and entertainment offerings relating to the entire Mercedes-Benz product portfolio.

“Based on our overall positive experience with iPhone applications, we also see the iPad as forming an integral part of our online communications. It was therefore important for us to be able to offer users of the iPad a substantial range of products and services relating to our brand from the very moment of its release”, explains Anders Sundt Jensen, Head of Brand Communications for Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Mobile devices enable a new form of communication with different target audiences, allowing them to enjoy their fascination for the brand in a more specific way and also to obtain information on our products. We are therefore monitoring this market very closely and if necessary will extend our activities to other mobile devices.”

Entertainment and support – iPad-optimized iPhone apps

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is one of the first museums in the world to make use of the iPad from the moment of its commercial release. As part of the current special exhibition on super sports cars, the “Mercedes-Benz Sports Cars” iPhone application has been optimized into a universal version for the iPad, and a lounge containing iPads has been set up in the exhibition hall. Visitors have been able to test out the tablet device using this app since the end of April, enabling them to experience the exhibition interactively.

Other available iPhone applications have also been adapted in terms of their size and resolution to make them suitable for the new tablet device. These include the “SLS AMG HD App” which allows you to go for a virtual drive in the new SLS AMG super sports car, and also the forthcoming car card games “Mercedes-Benz Quartet” and “Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow,” featuring 64 original racing cars spanning 75 years of motor racing history. The new “Star Helper” app from Mercedes-Benz Bank, available on the App Store since the beginning of May, was developed directly as an iPad-compatible version. As a mobile first-aid app for use when damage occurs to a vehicle, it provides important tips in the event of an accident, helps with reporting damage and also has additional practical functions such as a car park finder and fine calculator.

iPad website with soft configuration, dealer search and Mercedes-Benz TV

From the end of May, a version of the Mercedes-Benz website adapted for the iPad will be available, providing a whole host of information on the different model series. In addition to impressions, highlights and technical data for all model series, it also includes a soft configuration with which iPad users can build their own dream Mercedes, as well as a dealer search function with contact details and location maps. Furthermore, the web app also already contains the latest mixed tape compilation as well as a selection of videos from Mercedes- Benz TV. The complete TV program will be gradually optimized for the tablet device. The catalogue app will also be continually extended with the addition of further brochures. The premium brand from Stuttgart is even currently working on an iPad-compatible version of the Mercedes magazine, which will be available from the end of the year and will be free of charge, as are all of the other apps.

Source: [Auto 123]

From 05 May to 09 May this year, Mercedes Benz participated in the Mille Miglia 2010, a yearly event where classic cars tried to outpace each other in a rally from Brescia to Rome and back again in a figure eight course. Mille Miglia, so-called because the course stretches across a thousand Roman miles, originally ran from 1927 to 1957 as an open-road endurance race but had to be ended because it had become dangerous. It was revived in 1982 as a road rally of vintage vehicles, which dated back to the original Mille Miglia.

This year, Mercedes-Benz took part in “the most beautiful road race in the world” with its 1952 300SL sporty racecar, which saw a first place finish in 1997, with Flaminiano Valseriati and wife, Fulvia Sabadini behind the wheel. Valseriati also drove a 300SL in a 1989 Mille Miglia victory with co-driver Bernardo Favero. The first time that a Mercedes car won in the much-vaunted Italian classic car race was in 1931 with an SSK model driven by Rudolf Caracciola and Wilhelm Sebastian.

Mille Miglia 2010 spectators were treated to a display of rare Mercedes classics, which included nine 300SL Gullwings, three SSKs, a 220A and a W194 prototype I, easily the largest turnout of the company’s treasures. David Coulthard, Jochen Mass, and Mikka Hakkinen were on hand to drive for Mercedes. 50 other brands and 400 vintage racers also competed in the annual event.

Source: [Benz Insider]

For the days when traffic is heavy and the CL600 in the garage isn’t quite going to cut it, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Eurocopter to deliver that luxury car touch to your helicopter. Starting with the popular twin engine EC145 helicopter, Mercedes-Benz designers have added their own unique take on a helicopter interior for discriminating customers looking for leather seats, fine wood trim, ambient lighting and of course a flat screen TV.

The project to develop the luxury helicopter was led by the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy. Like many car companies, Mercedes-Benz has a design studio that works with a range of customers. In the past BMW has worked with Airbus on interior designs and Porsche has played a role in yacht design. But the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Eurocopter may have a bit more of a logical connection.

Eurocopter is pushing the EC145 for use around the world as VIP transport. The helicopters are popular as corporate transport and there have even been versions built with missile protection systems for transporting government officials. With many of these kinds of customers likely getting to their helicopter in the back of a Mercedes-Benz, it only makes sense for the car company to transfer the same experience into the helicopter.

A press release from the carmaker says the interior “bears all the hallmarks and passion of Mercedes-Benz style.” There aren’t any specific kinds of materials listed, though we assume “deluxe materials” means pretty much anything the customer wants as long as it can pass the air safety rules.

But the “EC145 Mercedes-Benz Style” as it is being called, isn’t all luxury. There’s mini-van like practicality as well. The helicopter can seat up to eight, but with all of the seats mounted on rails, your rotary winged ride can be converted to accommodate a pile of luggage and fewer seats if your trip necessitates some bulky items and only a few close friends. And for those long trips, there’s a 15-inch TV with DVD player, plus a cool box to keep the snacks fresh.
No word on whether or not the guys flying the Army’s version of the EC145 will see any of the “Mercedes-Benz Style” cross over into their slightly more utilitarian, UH-72 Dakota.

Source: [Autopia]

As plans solidify for runway shows at Lincoln Center for the Spring 2011 Collections this September, Mercedes-Benz USA announces the renewal of its title sponsorship for Fashion Week over the next 3 years, which includes the twice annually organized Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York plus Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM in Miami, both events produced by IMG Fashion.

“The industry support and innovation being utilized to transform Lincoln Center into the new home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a testament to New York City’s premier status among the greatest fashion capitals of the world,” said Stephen Cannon, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “Our commitment to the event’s success will continue as we officially renew our three year agreement with IMG to remain title sponsor.”

For nearly a decade, Mercedes-Benz has supported premier fashion events that create a connection between fascinating car and fashion designs that speak to the desire for individual style. Mercedes-Benz involvement in Fashion Week dates back to 2001 and its three-year commitment extends its title sponsorship through 2013.

“Mercedes-Benz commitment to the fashion industry is truly humbling,” said Peter Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Fashion Worldwide. “As a long term partner of IMG Fashion globally, Mercedes-Benz has shown a tremendous amount of vision in its support of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as we undertake this exciting move to Lincoln Center.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York draws international attention and over 100,000 visitors to New York City, including approximately 3,000 members of the press and fashion industry from around the world. IMG Fashion, The City of New York and Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have long sought to identify a new home for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York. With the support of Lincoln Center, the event will commence September 2010 at its new home in Damrosch Park on the Lincoln Center Campus. In addition to the new address, the event will unveil modernized production capabilities, digital services, better accessibility for attendees through both public, private transportation, and increased resources on-site and in the surrounding areas.

“As a leader and innovator in the auto industry it makes sense for Mercedes-Benz to be involved with the best events that allow us to create unique Mercedes-Benz experiences for our customers,” said Lisa Holladay, Manager Brand Experience Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “The renewal of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week title sponsorship combined with the facilities at Lincoln Center provides a new platform to support the advanced needs of the fashion industry, while also providing additional opportunities to showcase the Mercedes-Benz brand.”

ABOUT MERCEDES-BENZ

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse line-up in the luxury segment with 12 model lines ranging from the sporty C-Class to the flagship S-Class sedans and CL coupes. In 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG Fashion’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami.

MBUSA is also responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans in the US.

Source: [The Auto Channel]