SPF Protection For Your Car

UV Ray Resistance

Protecting Your Vehicle’s Finish from Sun Damage

UV rays can be damaging to your skin, your furniture, and to your vehicle’s finish. Thankfully, just as there are steps you can take to protect your skin and furniture, so can you take steps to protect your vehicle.

When exposed to UV rays, your vehicle’s finish will start to fade and oxidize, making it look old and worn. The good news is that you don’t have to be a mechanic to mitigate the potential UV damage to your vehicle’s finish. Keep these simple tips in mind and your vehicle will age much more gracefully.

Don’t park in the sun

The easiest way to protect your vehicle’s finish from sun damage is to try your best not to park in the sun. As you go about your daily routine, seek out covered or at least shaded parking. This will physically stop UV rays from reaching your vehicle’s surface, and your car won’t be as uncomfortably hot when you return to it either.

Vehicle paint chipped because of Sun Wear

Wash your vehicle regularly

Stop oxidation in its tracks by giving your vehicle a regular, thorough washing. First, make sure you park your car somewhere shaded. Give your vehicle an initial hosing and then wash the exterior using a cotton mitt and a gentle, high-quality automotive cleaner. Avoid scratching your finish by using an automotive clay bar to remove hard, stuck-on grime. Once you’re finished, give your vehicle a good rinse until no residue is left.

Dry your vehicle, and do it by hand

Don’t leave your vehicle to air dry once you’re done cleaning it. Instead, you’ll want to dry it by hand using a cotton cloth. This may be time consuming, but it is an important step. Letting your vehicle air dry is perilous because it leaves the finish susceptible to spot damage. Each tiny droplet of water you leave behind contains minerals, and those minerals will continue to cling and cause damage to your vehicle’s finish once the water evaporates.

Use a high-quality wax

Once your vehicle is completely dry, it’s time for a coat of wax. Wax not only provides a protective layer against the damaging effects of UV rays, but it also helps to prevent damage from any dirt and grime that may settle on your vehicle’s finish. Waxing your vehicle will really make all of your meticulous washing and drying efforts worth it.

Consider using a special paint protection film

Finally, if you’re very concerned about the damage that the sun could do to your vehicle’s finish, you can consider applying a paint protection film over your entire vehicle. The steps above will generally provide UV protection just fine, but those who drive luxury or antique vehicles will probably want to go the extra mile.

If you take some – or better yet, all – of these steps to protect your vehicle’s finish from sun damage, then your vehicle will keep looking its best for many years to come. With minimal effort you can keep your ride gleaming and protect its resale value at the same time.

From Toronto To Victoria, A Sailing Adventure.

A Legendary Expedition Coming to a Shore near You

Intended to help inspire a greater awareness and understanding of Canada’s land, people, and cultures, the Canada C3 signature project is a fantastic representation of what Canada 150 is all about.

An initiative of the Students on Ice Foundation, Canada C3 is an epic sailing journey which will take place over the course of 150 days. The expedition began in Toronto on June 1st. It will travel along the coast and is expected to reach Victoria on October 28, 2017. Along the way it will pass through the iconic Northwest Passage.

Canada C3 will cover a grand total of 12,000 nautical miles (23,000 kilometres at sea) as it journeys along Canada’s three coastlines. It will consist of 15 legs, each leg ranging from seven to 12 days. As the voyage passes through a total of six different ecozones, passengers will have a chance to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of forests, sandy beaches, tundra, remote inlets, and more.

At the beginning of each leg, a new group of participants will be joining Canada C3. Just who will be getting aboard? The goal is for the passengers of Canada C3 to reflect the diversity of Canada. Indigenous Elders, artists, scientists, historians, educators, journalists, community leaders, and Canadian youth will all have a chance to share their stories and experiences aboard Canada C3, and to connect with communities across the country.

The goal of the expedition and of inviting such a diverse group of people to take part is to provide the rest of Canada with a lens through which they can take in the country’s coastline. Using various digital platforms, Canada C3 participants will share the story of their voyage and of the people they meet along the way.

Canada C3 will explore the themes of Diversity and Inclusion, Reconciliation, Youth Engagement, and the Environment. It will accomplish this by meeting with local communities and connecting with a wide range of people in order to share ideas about Canada’s past, present, and future.

One of the main ways that Canada C3 will explore its themes and meet its goals is through its Science Program. The Canada C3 Science Program is intended to take advantage of the unique voyage route with a variety of research proposals which will provide us with invaluable insight into Canada’s coastal and marine environments. Researchers are also excited to become acquainted with the traditional ecological knowledge of coastal communities.

All of this fantastic adventure will be taking place aboard a Canadian-flagged, 67-metre research icebreaker which once served in the Canadian Coast Guard. The vessel is outfitted with research labs, advanced navigation equipment, and the latest satellite technologies which will enable all Canadians, wherever they are, to experience the journey.

Canada C3 promises to be a transformational journey that will capture the hearts and minds of Canadians across the country. From coast, to coast, to coast, it will provide all Canadians with an opportunity to see what this great country has to offer.

16 easy ways to improve gas mileage

Stop Fuming At The Pumps

Imagine yourself waiting in line at the gas station. You’re running late for work and now you’re just sitting there, idling, waiting for your turn at the pump. You grumble with frustration at the thought of pouring yet more money into your vehicle. What can you do, though? You need to drive to get around. There’s no avoiding gas prices.

There are ways, however, to make your trip to the gas pump a little bit less distressing!

Follow these 16 easy tips to increase your gas mileage, while decreasing your spending and stress.

Take care of your vehicle

Keeping your vehicle in good running condition can have a huge impact on gas mileage. Make sure to adhere to your manufacturer’s regular maintenance schedule. Simple things like changing the air filter, replacing spark plugs and fixing the alignment can all improve your vehicle’s gas consumption.

Make sure that your tires are properly inflated. Improperly inflated tires can increase gas consumption by up to 25%!

Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to choose the grade of motor oil and the octane gas rating that are best for your vehicle.

Don’t overload your vehicle. A heavier load will lead to higher gas consumption. Take a look at what you’re carrying in your trunk to see if you can reduce the weight. Don’t forget to consider what’s on the outside of your vehicle – a roof rack can add a lot to your load!

Watch your driving

Maintaining a constant speed is one of the easiest and most effective ways of increasing your gas mileage. Accelerate and brake slowly and evenly. Sudden stops and quick accelerations use more gas than moderate changes in speed.

Keep your speed consistent with cruise control Use cruise control when driving on the highway. It’s easy to speed up without even noticing when you’re driving on a long, empty road. Cruise control can help you moderate your speed.

Don’t allow your vehicle to idle. If you’re waiting for someone, turn the vehicle off until they get there. Allowing your vehicle to idle wastes gas – not to mention adds to noise and air pollution in the area.

Don’t be an aggressive driver. The higher your speed, the higher your gas consumption. Aggressive drivers tend to brake and accelerate more quickly. So when you’re driving, take a deep breath, put on some music, and relax!

Plan your gas purchases

Pay attention to gas prices in your area. Some gas stations are cheaper than others. Others have reward plans or cards that can lead to reduced prices or free gas.

Plan ahead when filling up. Some people notice that gas prices tend to go up a little bit before weekends or holidays. Over time, you might find that a mid-week fill-up saves you money.

Make sure that you properly close and tighten your gas cap. You don’t want any of that precious fuel evaporating!

Buy gas when it’s coolest – usually early in the morning or later in the evening. Gas is sold by volume. It’s denser at cooler temperatures, so you get more bang for your buck.

Change your lifestyle

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, buy a more gas-efficient vehicle. Research and read up on gas mileage before you commit to a new vehicle.

Find ways to minimize gas consumption to and from work. If you can, carpool, telecommute or time your commute to avoid the busiest times in the morning or the afternoon. More traffic means more idling and more braking, which means using more gas.

Plan and group your errands so that you’re driving fewer miles. Rather than going home after work and then going out to the grocery store in the evening, stop on the way home. If you have to go to the post office on Monday, the library on Tuesday and the doctor’s office on Wednesday, rearrange your schedule so that you can take care of all three of these chores at once.

Drive less. This is by far the easiest and most effective way to limit your gas consumption! Whenever you can, use your feet, a bicycle or public transportation to get around. Your body and your wallet will both thank you!

While completely dropping out of the vehicle culture so that you never have to buy gas again isn’t a reasonable goal for most people, there are definitely some easy ways to lessen the strain of buying gas. If you follow these tips, you’ll find yourself a little bit happier behind the wheel – and at the pump!

G550 4×4² Preview

When Mercedes Benz rolled out the 2017 G-Class lineup, there was a new trim package in the showroom. The G550 4×4² gets the G-Class up and over rocks and other rugged terrain.

G550 4×4² Features

This addition to the G-Class model was designed to offer more ground clearance for those off-road adventures. It features larger tires and a suspension that has been revised to take on the uneven ground.

It is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 biturbo that offers efficiency, as well as performance. The body on the G550 4×4² has been designed to keep it light weight, so that power goes further to propel this SUV over rocky ground. 416 horses and 450 lb-ft of torque push you up and over obstacles while the 7-speed automatic transmission powers the four wheels.

G550 4x4 Squared

Mercedes Benz mounted the twin turbos on this SUV within the V configuration rather than outside of the cylinders in a formation that is known as a “hot inside V”. By doing this, they compacted the engine design, lowered the exhaust emissions and optimised the response time.

The 22-inch wheels are mounted on a wide track of portal axles that are supported by an adjustable damping suspension. The body sway is controlled by a pair of springs and a pair of dampers for each wheel. You can adjust one damper per pair to switch between modes like Comfort and Sport.

Look Inside the G-Class

No matter how rough the road gets, you will always be surrounded by the luxury that is synonymous with Mercedes Benz. From handcrafted seats and interiors to the most current technological advances, Mercedes Benz has filled the cabin with elegance and prestige.

Hands created the leather seating and the exquisite wood trim on many of the models. The interior trim also comes in carbon fibre. Mercedes Benz offers a selection of “designo” leather and paint choices that will add your own personal touch to this cross-country vehicle.

The freestanding 8-inch infotainment centre allows connectivity to all of your favourite devices through Apple CarPlay™ or Android™ Auto, and the available rear seat entertainment system keeps everyone in the back entertained while you’re on long trips. You get 450 watts of sound through the Harman/kardon® LOGIC7® system and its 12 speakers with a subwoofer.

A voice control navigation system tells you where the next rest area is or if there are any traffic slowdowns. In addition, the system uses Internet features and apps from Mercedes Benz like remote access to your vehicle to lock and unlock doors or start your car or crisis assist used to send help in a disaster.

The G-Class has been around a long time, so Mercedes Benz knows this model inside and out. Originally, it was built as a tough military vehicle that has now been transformed into a luxury SUV filled with the most advanced technology available.

That technology shows up in the LED running lights, Bi-Xenon headlamps, heated washers on the headlamps and LED turn signals. It is also in the Distant Pilot DISTRONIC active cruise control, the braking innovations like Hill Start Assist and in the Trailer Stability Assist system whenever you tow.

PARKTRONIC uses sensors to let you know you are too close to a curb and a rearview camera gives you a wide view of what is behind you.

The 2017 Mercedes Benz G-Class offers a number of trim packages that are designed to give you as much power as you need. Come by and see us today for more information on this or any other Mercedes Benz vehicle.

When should you swap out your winter tires?

The longer and warmer days near the end of winter signal that it’s time to start thinking about your first tire change of the year, as your winter tires will soon need to be flipped over to all-seasons.

Unfortunately, you cannot drive around on the same types of tires all year long. Winter tires and all-season tires are made with different rubber compounds. The rubber in all-season tires is better suited to temperatures above 7 C, while the rubber in winter tires is better suited to temperatures below 7 C.

Winter tires remain flexible even in freezing temperatures, helping to better grip the road and provide drivers with traction. They are also far better at gripping snowy and icy surfaces, on which all-season tires have almost no chance. The problem is that winter tires then become too soft in warmer temperatures and are not ideal for driving around on warm, dry pavement.

When the rubber that makes up winter tires become too soft, it begins to wear much faster. As the tire makes continual contact with the warm pavement, it grows hotter and hotter and can eventually start to chemically degrade. This chemical degradation can actually cause the outside of the tire to become somewhat greasy and even less capable of properly gripping the road, thereby making it more difficult to break and increasing stopping distances.

The rubber which makes up all-season tires, on the other hand, is made to withstand heat. All-season tires are flexible yet firm enough in warmer temperatures so as not to wear down as fast and to provide proper traction in a variety of spring, summer, and early fall driving conditions.

While you should definitely be astute about changing your tires when winter finally seems to be on its way out, you also need to be careful not to rush and do it too early. Depending on where you live, a temporary warm-up might still be followed by freezing temperatures and significant snowfall.

Your winter tires aren’t going to start degrading after a few days or even a couple of weeks of casual driving in positive, single-digit temperatures, especially if temperatures still dip below freezing at night. Rapid tread wear will only begin to occur once spring is fully in bloom and there is no more risk of snow and ice.

You’ll want to make the change to all-season tires once daily low temperatures are consistently above 7 C and there doesn’t appear to be any more heavy snow on the horizon. Don’t worry, your all seasons should be able to handle a light, overnight dusting of snow should one catch you off guard once you’ve already flipped your tires.

Just keep your eye on the forecast and you’ll have no trouble deciding when it’s the right time to switch over from winter to all-season tires. Once it looks like the cold and snow are gone for good, either change your tires yourself if you know what you’re doing, or book an appointment with a professional to have it done right.

Wheel alignments can save major issues down the road

The countless potholes that seem to open up all over the road during the winter can do a number on the alignment of your wheels, and you shouldn’t wait too long to have it corrected.

Regular wheel alignments are an important part of good vehicle maintenance, as poorly aligned wheels can severely limit the performance of your vehicle. Many drivers, however, only have their wheels aligned when they purchase a new set of tires. While driving over potholes and curbs can knock a vehicle’s alignment off in one big jolt, even regular, everyday driving can gradually take a toll on alignment.

The Important Benefits of Wheel Alignments

Your vehicle’s wheel alignment has an impact on its suspension, steering components, and tires. There are two major benefits of having your wheels properly aligned: to keep yourself and your passengers safe while driving, and to save money.

pothole in the middle of the road

A vehicle with an improper alignment has far less steering precision, and is therefore much less comfortable and less safe to drive. When your vehicle pulls to the left or the right, then your handling and your response time are compromised. You may not be able to react quickly enough to get yourself out of dangerous situations, and your car may drift too far away from centre if your attention lapses for even a moment. Adjusting your steering in order to compensate for misalignment is far more dangerous and inefficient than simply having your wheels aligned.

Long-term Savings

Though a wheel alignment does incur a small short-term cost, it can actually lead to long-term savings, particularly on the cost of tires. Tires on misaligned wheels are going to wear down much faster and need replacement significantly sooner than tires on wheels which are kept properly aligned. Keep your wheels aligned and your tires should last as long as advertised.

With a proper wheel alignment you’ll also get to enjoy better fuel efficiency. Wheel misalignment effects how well your tires can work together, which in turn has an effect on the efficiency of your engine. A less efficient engine is going to need to guzzle more fuel in order to provide you with the power you need.

On top of saving money on tires and gas, making sure your wheels are aligned can also save you money on auto repair. The components of your vehicle’s steering and suspension systems are put under excess stress when the tires are misaligned, causing them to break down faster and potentially requiring you to pay for costly repairs.

How to Tell That Your Wheels Need Aligning

Drivers who know the signs to look out for can quickly tell when their wheels are misaligned. The most obvious indicators are when your steering wheel is straight but your vehicle pulls to one side, or when your vehicle is driving straight but the steering wheel isn’t centred. If your vehicle is pulling because of a misalignment, you may also feel a vibration in your steering wheel. Wheel misalignment will cause your front tires to wear unevenly as well.

If you notice any of these signs, then don’t hesitate to have your vehicle’s alignment checked out by a professional. Catching a misalignment early can save you a lot of trouble and headaches in the future. A certified professional will have your vehicle driving straight and true in no time.

Green Thumb Relaxation

Gardening is a fun and fulfilling hobby, and this spring is the perfect time for you to pick up a shovel and try it out for yourself. There’s a lot you can get out of it in return.

One of the best things about gardening is that just about anyone can do it. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a large backyard or a balcony that’s only big enough for a quaint little herb garden – either way, you can reap all of the benefits that come with getting a little dirt underneath your fingernails.

The top reasons why you should consider getting into gardening are:

1) To get a little closer to nature

It’s not all the time that you can go fishing or go on a hike in the remote wilderness, but gardening is something that you can do every day to get some fresh air and spend time outside. Put your efforts towards growing a few plants that you enjoy looking at and that release a nice aroma. You’ll be able to feel closer to nature without having to leave your own property.

2) To grow your own food

Gardening gives you control of at least some of the food that ends up on your plate. You can grow your food exactly how you prefer, using the exact types of soils and fertilizers you feel are safe and healthy to use. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals and pesticides.

While even a substantial backyard garden likely won’t be able to save you trips to the grocery store, it certainly can remove a nice chunk from your regular grocery bill. Fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs are also tastier than what you’d likely be able to find at the store.

Vegetation before being planted in the ground

3) To challenge yourself

The most enjoyable challenges are the kinds that you know you can overcome if you just apply yourself and put in some effort. These are exactly the sort of challenges that gardening presents. For example, you’ll have to do some research about the plants you want to grow and about how to solve bug infestations and nutrient deficiencies. Figure it all out, and you’ll feel a great sense of pride in your accomplishments.

4) To relax

Yes, you did just finish reading about the fact that gardening can be challenging, but you should also know that, once you get the hang of it, it can also be incredibly relaxing. Get all of the basic gardening skills down and you’ll be able to kick back and watch your plants grow. Some days your garden might not need anything else but to be watered, which can be a surprisingly meditative task. In fact, you might begin to look forward to the peace and silence of tending your garden after a long day.

So, what are you waiting for? If you find out that gardening is not for you, then at least you have tried something new. Plus, it’s far more likely that you’ll find at least some aspect of gardening to love and to keep doing for years to come.

The 2017 Mercedes Benz B-Class Sport Tourer Fits

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz B-Class seats five comfortably while offering a sporty ride in a small body.

B-Class Comfort

Engineers may have designed the B-Class Sport Tourer as a smaller passenger car–it’s only 4,393 mm in length–but they offered plenty of interior cabin room. With a spacious cabin, five people can stretch out their legs and enjoy the ride in this sporty head-turner and still have room for cargo in the large storage space. Trunk capacity is 488 – 1,547 max/min litres of room, and the rear seats split into thirds, letting you configure your cargo space to suit your needs, making it easy to put your passengers in the seat and still have room to slide in a bike or a set of golf clubs.

The front seats are heated and have the ability to adjust 12 ways to get you comfortable for your drive. The seat cushion can also be adjusted in order to give your legs a rest. With the Versatility Package installed on your B-Class Sport Tourer, you can flat fold the front seat for even longer cargo room and the back seat is a sliding bench.

The available Sport Package dresses your B-Class in a sharp package that consists of 18-inch AMG wheels and a much lower suspension for swinging through tight highway curves. The sport brakes and Direct Steering system give you total control over the performance of your car. AMG styling makes the body stand out. Mercedes Benz added a grille that is exclusive to the Sport Package and laid the cockpit out for those who love to drive.

You’re going to like the ambiance in the cabin. There is LED ambient lighting and wood trim that has been hand-finished.

Open up the available sunroof and hit the road to soak up some of the long-awaited warmer weather.

At Your Fingertips

A ride is best when you’re listening to your favourite music. No matter what your musical taste, the infotainment centre on the dash of the B-Class Sport Tourer lets you integrate your devices via Bluetooth® or through the dual USB ports. For even more music and entertainment, you can connect through Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto. Of course, SiriusXM is always an option.

The COMAND navigation system makes driving less stressful. It consists of an 8-inch screen that you can place where you need it in the cabin. It has colour maps and 3-D views of buildings to help you navigate through the cities. The directions will help you choose a lane before you need to turn, which eliminates the sudden need to change lanes.

Since safety is foremost, Mercedes-Benz has added Active Brake Assist, Attention Assist for alerting you if you are getting tired and Predictive Brake Priming that pre-charges the brakes to respond quicker when needed. When driving in the rain, the Automatic Brake Drying will get rid of excess water on the brakes.

In addition, there are other assists for drivers like Lane Alert, Blind Spot Alert and a rearview camera.

Everything about the B-Class Sport Tourer from Mercedes Benz is designed to wrap you in luxury while you travel, which makes it perfect for long distance travelling.

Since the weather is warming up, come over and see us. We’ll take you on a test drive of the new 2017 Mercedes Benz B-Class Sport Tourer today.

Summer Driving in a Cabriolet

Summer’s Coming

The E-Class Cabriolet is designed to cut through the winter blues and transport you to a place where nothing matters but the sun on your face and the wind ruffling your hair. The body has been designed with a low drag coefficient, so it cuts through the air flawlessly.

Mercedes-Benz designed it to make a commanding appearance by installing bold headlamps and an aerodynamic tail. They perfectly proportioned it for an elegant appearance with the top up or down. When down, the top tucks away safely in a matching colour cover behind the rear seats for a sleek appearance.

The headlamps consist of LED lighting that is designed to closely simulate daytime driving than a xenon lamp. The headlamps have LED lighting on the high and the low beams, and they can turn the corner before you do, so you always have a large field of vision.

The cabriolet can seat four, so bring along some friends.

It’s whats inside that counts

Because driving is the number one reason to get behind the wheel of the cabriolet, Mercedes-Benz crafted the cabin to do more than conform to your body. It puts everything you need at your fingertips. From the cup holders in the centre console to the power controls on the steering wheel, you can point and go for a distraction-free drive.

Of course, in true Mercedes-Benz fashion, you would expect the seats to be crafted from rich leather, and they are. In addition, they have been precisely double stitched and each seat has been fitted by hand to the seats. The leather comes in a variety of colours.

The interior has been trimmed in either aluminium or wood that has been handcrafted for a meticulous finish. Regardless of what trim you choose, the trim is found in all the nooks and crannies for a touch of elegance everywhere in the cabin.

In a moment of nostalgia, Mercedes installed an analogue clock that hearkens to the heritage of Mercedes-Benz; just one more touch that helps to make Mercedes-Benz the premier luxury vehicle across the classes.

Drive Safely

As always, Mercedes has added a suite of safety features that are designed for both passive and active responses under even the most extreme driving conditions.

Radar based technology is featured throughout the vehicle in features like the Collision Prevention Assist Plus that helps prevent you from hitting an object in front of you. The Adaptive Brake Assist has the ability to apply 100 per cent of the braking power if needed.

Distronic Plus adapts your cruise control speed to the speed of those around you. Blind Spot Assist comes in passive and active options. Lane Keeping Assist works with the Blind Spot Assist to keep you in your lane. You can use the 360-degree camera to get a bird’s eye view of everything around you.

The 2017 Mercedes Benz E-Class Cabriolet is filled with everything that will make your drive exciting, so come by and test drive one. We also have the E-Class Coupe for test driving if you prefer a roof over your head. Stop by today.

Five Reasons Why Your Sprinter Should Have A 5kW Auxiliary Heater!

Many clients ask “What exactly is a 5kW Auxiliary Heater and why do I need it on my Sprinter?” What are they spending their hard-earned money on? Let’s examine how the Auxiliary Heater works and Five Benefits it can provide for you.

In fact, there are actually two different types of Auxiliary Heaters. A 5 kW Auxiliary Heater and a 10 kW Additional Warm Water Heating with Timer. Let’s start with the 5 kW version as this tends to be most common.

Benefit 1

The Auxiliary Heater acts as an engine pre-heater, warming the coolant and keeping your diesel engine warm.

The 5 kW Auxiliary Heater (factory code H12) can operate independently of the vehicle running for up to 30 minutes. Drawing small amounts of diesel fuel from the Sprinter fuel tank, it heats the engine coolant, cycling it through the engine and slowly blowing warm air through the Sprinter’s ventilation system into the front cab.

You can operate the Auxiliary Heater manually by pushing and holding the switch to the very left of the steering column. This will engage the heater.

Benefit 2

The Auxiliary Heater offers convenient pre-programming for warming the Engine, Cab and Windshield.

You can also program the heater to operate automatically at a pre-determined time. Using your steering wheel controls (if equipped with Convenience Pkg) you go to “Settings.” Using the right minus (-) button toggle down to “Heating.” Next, using the left arrow button (←) and right plus/minus (+/-) button to set the time you want the heater to start. When you turn off the vehicle you will see an orange light on the left heater switch indicating a programmed time has been set.

This needs to be done each time you want the Auxiliary Heater to operate automatically.

You can still be warmly tucked in bed and the heater will function at its programmed time, warming the engine and cab. If the Defrost is set, it will also thaw the windshield. No more reaching or climbing to scrape frost, ice or snow from the large, high Sprinter windshield.

Benefit 3

With two types of Auxiliary Heaters to choose from, it can warm the rear of the van.

Both the 5 kW and 10 kW heaters can pump more heat to the rear of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, via the Rear Heating Pkg or Rear Heat Exchanger. The 5 kW heater (code H12) is a single heater and is most common in Cargo Sprinter vans. This is helpful for people working in the back of the van or taking the chill off your tools.

The 10 kW heater (code HZ5) is a dual heater which is most commonly found in the Passenger Sprinter vans. This heater pumps more warm air to the back of the vehicle, keeping all passengers warm on those cold days. The 10 kW heater must have option code H13, which is an Additional Heat Exchanger. This option is also part of the Rear Heating Pkg (code VHP).

Benefit 4

The 5 kW Auxiliary Heater provides an extra fuel port for Additional Upfits along with a fuel level sensor.

The exact product profile description for the option code H12 is Heater, Auxiliary Front 5 kW with Timer (includes KL1 Auxiliary Fuel Sending Unit). Not only do you get the front auxiliary heater to warm your engine, cab, etc. you also get an additional port off the tank with an additional fuel sending unit. This is extremely helpful if you want to upfit an Espar Heater, Webasto Heater or Wallas Heater/Cookstove. The 5 kW heater is recommended by many of the top outfitting companies.

The H12 Auxiliary Heater also saves any unnecessary tapping into the Sprinter’s diesel fuel tank, “T-ing” off the fuel line or having to add an additional fuel sending unit. The heater also has a fuel level sensor, so it will not run when your Mercedes-Benz fuel tank is below a quarter tank. This is an excellent pre-caution that prevents running out of fuel or fouling your heaters. Located just rear of the driver, under the Sprinter close to the fuel tank, the Auxiliary Heater vents outside.

Benefit 5

Running the Auxiliary Heater to pre-warm your vehicle is much more efficient and benefits productivity

You will reduce fuel + Diesel Exhuast Fluid (DEF) costs by not idling your Sprinter to warm up. Your Sprinter uses the greatest amount of DEF at idle. The Auxiliary Heater requires very small amounts of fuel to operate – much less then idling your engine, and it allows you to spend time attending to other important things. Rather than start your van, then watch and wait for your Mercedes-Benz to warm up you can be doing something else. All the while your Auxiliary Heater is doing its job warming the engine, cab and windshield – saving you time and money!

I hope these Five Reasons or Benefits help explain why you should equip your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van with an Auxiliary Heater (either 5 kW or 10 kW). The convenience, efficiency and adaptability make it a must have for your diesel Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van.

See you at my next blog – Vince Pelkman, Lone Star Mercedes-Benz –the Van Experts!