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Summer Road Trip Survival Guide DO: Make a Plan. Sure, road trips are all about being spontaneous. Staying at the junkiest motel you can find, sleeping in your car, getting lost on the open road. Those all sound great, but being too spontaneous is time consuming, and as we're all aware - time is money, especially while we're driving. Gas isn't cheap, and you don't want to be wasting it. You don't have to have a set plan, but make a rough one. If you don't, you'll find yourself running through your money way faster than you thought. Get Your Car Checked Beforehand. This is a must. Making sure that everything is running as it should, can save you a whole lot of trouble on the road.  No one wants to deal with that frustration on the way; road trips are supposed to be fun - worry free! So schedule a service before you go, you'll be relieved you did! Take Advantage of Travel Maps. Technology has made the world a lot smaller, and a lot easier to navigate. There are tons of apps out there that can really help you on your trip. Here are some popular ones to keep in mind: Waze - Waze is a navigation application that offers real time traffic information, different routes, notifications about speed traps, and gas price comparisons! It's updated by drivers on the road, so you can get a good idea about what's happening ahead of you before you get there. Hotel Tonight - Hotel Tonight gives you hand-selected hotels at great prices when you're in need f a last minute place to crash! Perfect for road trips, since you never know where you'll end up! iExit Interstate Exit Guide - iExit lets you know what's at upcoming exits when you're on the highway so you're able to decide if you should get off or not. iExit will tell you exactly what lies ahead, so you don't have to worry if you have enough gas to get to the next town, or if there's food coming up anywhere close. Take Breaks. We all want to make good time and get to where were going, but driving is exhausting, and driving drowsy is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Take turns driving with your passenger. If you're alone, pull over and nap at a cheap hotel. You may not want to spend the extra money, but trust us; your life is worth it. Bring a Car Charger. No one likes a passenger who is glued to their phone during a road trip, but that's not what we’re saying. Having a charged phone in case of an emergency is important. 50 years ago, people had to walk miles and miles when their car broke down in the middle of nowhere. We’re lucky enough to live in the age of technology, so we might as well embrace it!  It could really help us out in case of an emergency. Bring a Cooler with Lots of Water. Staying hydrated is extremely important, especially while traveling out west or in other dry spots. Dehydration is serious, so make sure you're taking it seriously! Have an Amazing Time! You only live once so experience while you can! We're not saying "be reckless", but definitely be fun! Live in the moment. Road trips are a great way to see the world. Wander. Chances are you'll never be in the same place again, so make the most of it! Get out of the car and see the quirky roadside attractions! Stop and get a hot dog at every hot dog stand you pass by.  Hike up the beautiful mountains you pass by. Take pictures! By the end of your road trip, you'll have a collection of memories! DON'T: Rely on One Mapping Method. Yes, we're in 2015 and everyone has GPS on their phones, but it's often that you'll find yourself in a no service zone and the GPS won't respond. Or your charger may not connect and your phone will die. You never know what could happen. Bring a map just in case! Better safe than sorry! Travel During Holiday Weekends/Peak Dates. We all want to celebrate the Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, which results in heavy traffic basically everywhere you go. Do yourself a favor and plan your long road trips during off weekends. You'll be much happier cruising along than sitting in traffic for hours! Drive Through Large Cities at Rush Hour. Rush hour traffic can really throw you off schedule and act as a total buzz-kill. Consider rerouting, or if you want to sight see in the city, leave earlier so you don't hit the traffic. There's ways around it, just plan accordingly! Don't Get too Caught Up in Your Plan. There's always going to be things you're going to come across while driving that you didn't know were there. Don't pass things by just to stay on schedule. You never know if you'll be in this certain place ever again, so stop and make an experience out of it! You don’t want to look back on your trip and have regrets about something you decided to pass up! Always stop and make memories along the way - that's what road trips are for! Wait Until the Last Minute to Book Things. During the summer months, popular attractions and parks get extremely crowded, making it a good idea to book things ahead of time!

As we all know, Mercedes-Benz is known for their technological innovations and all the brilliant features they offer for their vehicles. You may think some of these features are so over the top, that you won't ever need them, but these features that seem like luxuries, soon become necessities once you've experienced them. Once you live with them, you can't live without them. As we approach the warmer months, you'll realize that some of these features will save you in the summer heat. Here's a list of the features you just can't help but fall in love with during the summer season. Panorama Sunroof - Panorama sunroofs are absolutely wonderful for summer weather because they stretch from front to back, offering seriously sweet views to both the front and rear passengers. The front panel can either tilt up for some much needed summer ventilation, or slide over the back panel for an open-air flow. So whether it's daytime and you're letting the wind blow in your hair while you cruise, or nighttime and you're stopped gazing at the stars, the panorama sunroof is an amazing feature that all passengers will enjoy. ECO Start/Stop System - These summer months are the time when fuel-saving tips are most important, since our air-conditioners are guzzling all our fuel left and right. The ECO Start/Stop system is a fuel-saving feature that automatically shuts off the engine at stoplights and other situations where the vehicle has to stop. Right when the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake, the engine automatically restarts itself. This system can be shut off by the driver at any time they choose not to use it, but it's definitely a great way to save fuel, especially during summer months. Certified Allergy-Friendly Cabins - As we all know, our allergies are eating away at us all during those harsh spring and summer months. That's why Mercedes-Benz developed a way to provide passengers with a level of well-being. These vehicle models are certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research (ECARF). From cabin materials to climate control filtration systems, innumerable cabin components are widely evaluated in the lab and real world. Their production approval depends on their ability to minimize effects of passengers' allergies. Cabin-Air Purification Systems - Dual activated charcoal filters work with an ionizer that uses an electrical charge to create an extreme fresh-air sensation. Airborne impurities and smells are completely eliminated from the cabin to provide a healthier air quality, especially for those with harsh seasonal allergies. Ventilated Front Seats - With our ventilated front seats, three levels of heating and cooling ventilation are offered. Clearly, during the summer months we won't need the heating feature, but as heated front seats now come standard in most vehicles, ventilated seats are entirely a luxury. Ventilated seats help to keep you cool and keep your clothes drier during the summer by circulating air through perforations in the seat and backrest. Reversible fans help draw heat away for brief periods. Power Rear Window Sunshades - Power window sunshades are a blessing during on those hot summer days. The sunshade keeps the cabin cool and blocks back-seat passengers from any sunlight or glare. This interior sunshade is made of mesh that allows you to see out through the window even when it's in use. Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control/3-Zone Climate Control - Left and right temperature controls allow the driver and passenger to both enjoy separate personalized comfort. This system controls blower speed and airflow distribution, and it contains a dust and pollen filter that helps keep the tiniest particles out of the cabin. We all know how horrendous pollen can get during the spring and summer months, which is why once you experience this luxury, you'll soon find it a necessity. The 3-zone climate control adds an extra zone directed to the rear cabin.  We have to keep those back seat passengers happy too! Refrigerator Box for Rear Cabin - Let's be real, what better way to keep drinks cold on summer road trip than having an actual mini refrigerator in your car?! This covered compact compartment is camouflaged between the rear seats. It can easily be removed from the trunk as well, in case extra luggage space is needed. Trailer Hitch - The trailer hitch that is an optional feature for our SUVs have enough towing capacity to pull anything you might need on a summer road trip. Campers, bikes, boats, jet-skis, horse trailers - you name it! Our trailer hitches have got you covered. Aluminum Roof Rails - Whether you're going on a road trip or taking your kids to summer camp, these roof rails accommodate an array of available accessory attachments for carrying surfboards, bikes, cargo carriers, and anything else you can think of. Even when these roof rails are not being used, they still add a stylish, revolutionary look to the vehicle. Heated and Cooled Cup Holders - This is a new, innovative technology that will keep your cups warm or chilled at the touch of a button. We know how fast our drinks can turn warm during the winter, so this is a great feature to keep our cold drinks tasting how we'd like them to on those hot days. Power-Folding Seats - A number of our models have power folding seats that can be folded flat in less than five seconds. This gives you an even larger amount of space for any extra cargo you may need to take on your summer road trips! If any of these interest you, just ask your sales person if it's an option on your vehicle of choice! You'll be able to brave the hot summer months like you've never been able to before!

As spring gets underway, all our noses are feeling the pollen, and so are our vehicles. While our cars don't suffer allergies like our noses, pollen can actually be very damaging to the paint job. Some may think pollen is only guilty of leaving an ugly yellow layer of fluff on our vehicles, but in fact, pollen can be permanently harmful to your car's appearance. How does it damage the paint?  From what our eyes can see, pollen looks as if it is simply yellow dust particles, but on a microscopic level, it actually has extremely sharp edges, allowing it to cling to plants, and of course - our vehicles. Pollen can be highly acidic, allowing it to eat away at the paint on our vehicles. Follow these tips on what to do and what not to do when it comes to removing pollen, and your paint job will stay looking fresh for years to come! What To Do: Give your car a nice, long, soapy massage. A good old cleaning will do the trick, as long as you use the proper cleaning products and enough soap. Warm water helps to eliminate all the particles, as long as you add soap, since water alone activates pollen acidity. Wax on, wax off. A good waxing after your car is clean will add a protective layer over your paint against pollen. Wax makes it more difficult for the pollen to latch onto your vehicle, so next time; a simple rinse will work and will save you some time before your next complete wash. Avoid parking under trees. As the weather warms up, many people choose to park under trees for shade to avoid their car from getting too hot while they're away. Avoid this. Some pollen comes from trees, so parking under them is just setting your vehicle up for over-exposure to pollen. Park in the garage. Whether its your home garage or a parking garage, this saves your car from excessive exposure to pollen. If your car is going to be stationed for a while, a garage is definitely the way to go. What NOT To Do: Avoid simply hosing off your car without adding any soap or other cleaning products. Like we said, pollen can be highly acidic and water activates the acidic qualities of pollen. This high acidity will eat away at the paint job and speed up rusting on your vehicle. At all costs, do not try to just quickly wipe the pollen off your vehicle with a dry cloth. It will help the pollen to spread around while the microscopic hooks are scratching at your car. How To Avoid Pollen From Getting INSIDE Your Vehicle: Change your cabin filter. A clean filter will keep your ventilation system from bringing pollen in from the outside. Set your air conditioning to recirculate. This also helps from pollen-infused air from entering your vehicle. Keep your windows closed as much as possible. This will keep pollen from catching on to your interior upholstery. We hope you can use these quick, simple tips to protect your vehicle from pollen damage! Don't forget, if you're not good at keeping up with your car yourself, you can schedule a service here at Mercedes-Benz of Huntington and we can do it for you! We provide a complimentary car wash after every service!

Mercedes-Benz has always shown a clear commitment to being environmentally friendly and working towards a greener tomorrow. Ever since before "going green" was popular, Mercedes-Benz has been implementing new ways to help minimize the impact of cars on the world we live in. In 1991, the S-Class was the world's first CFC-free vehicle. Mercedes-Benz has expanded immensely since then. Here's how ... ECO Start/Stop - The ECO Start/Stop system is a fuel-saving feature that automatically shuts off the engine at stoplights and other situations where the vehicle would need to stop. Right when the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake, the engine automatically restarts itself. This system can be shut off by the driver at any time they choose not to use it, but it's definitely a great system for saving you fuel and saving the environment from absorbing it. B-Class Electric Drive - The B-Class is an extremely environmentally friendly vehicle for obvious reasons. To elaborate - The 177-hp electric motor delivers 251 lb-ft of torque without using any gasoline what so ever or creating any local emissions. In almost complete silence, the B-Class can go from 0-60 mph in just 7.9 seconds. For pedestrian safety, the vehicle emits a soft sound to make the car's presence known. In addition to the B-Class saving the environment from nasty emissions, it can also save you from unwanted allergies. It's the only vehicle in its class certified by the European Centre for Allergy Research. Cabin materials and climate control filtration systems are greatly assessed in the lab and real world to ensure they're in fact able to minimize the effects of occupants' allergies. BlueTEC Clean Diesel - BlueTEC clean diesel is the world's cleanest and most advanced diesel. It produces less greenhouse gases and returns both greater fuel economy and higher torque than regular vehicles. Liquid solution called AdBlue can be injected into the exhaust and convert the nitrogen oxide emissions into harmless nitrogen and oxygen. All around the world, drivers often choose diesel over gasoline, which makes the cleaner emissions from BlueTEC very admirable. BlueTEC is rated number one in CO2 emissions in Germany's luxury class. Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC vehicles include: E250 BlueTEC, GLK250 BlueTEC, ML250 BlueTEC, and GL350 BlueTEC. Mercedes-Benz doesn't stop there! To learn about more environmentally friendly innovations, click here!

April is National Car Care Month so we at Mercedes-Benz of Huntington wanted to remind our customers of the basic tips to make sure their vehicles are running at their best this springtime season.  Our vehicles all worked hard this winter season through snow, ice, pot holes, and below zero temperatures, and that's why spring is the time to take care of our vehicles with these basic maintenance procedures. Check the battery, plugs, and wires. All of these items work extremely hard when it's cold and these components are the ones that make your car run.  Winter conditions can reduce the performance of these items by a drastic amount. Make sure to test old batteries, plugs, and wires, and replace if needed. Check the hoses and belts. Inspect hoses and belts to make sure they're not brittle, frayed, loose, cracked, or showing signs of wear and tear. Replace if necessary. Check the brake system. After a season of snow, it is necessary to check the brake system. Have the rotors, drums, and brake linings inspected at each oil change. Check the tires. The cold can drastically reduce tire pressure so it's necessary to inspect all tires to make sure they're inflated and balanced. It's also important to check the tread. Uneven wear may reveal a need for wheel alignment. Check all fluid levels. This includes engine oil, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid, antifreeze & coolant, and transmission fluid. All are very important to check so it's vital that you don't skip over one. Check the exhaust system. Exhaust leaks can be very dangerous and it's crucial that you check for damages or leaks if there is an abnormal noise. If there's a problem, it must be corrected as soon as possible. Check the suspension. Struts and shock absorbers don't handle well with pot holes. Be sure to check those because if they go unnoticed they can lead to more serious problems later. Check the engine air filter. The engine air filter can be changed very quick and easily during any oil change or other maintenance appointment. Check the heating system and air conditioning system. These are important for passenger comfort as well as defrosting and other safety reasons. Be sure to get it fixed if anything seems unusual. Check the exterior. Take time to inspect the undercarriage since metal can deteriorate due to snow salt. Doing an intensive cleaning can help remarkably. The Mercedes-Benz of Huntington Service Center can conduct any of the procedures listed here so don't forget to schedule a service with us before spring hits!