If you live in the Greater Atlanta area and need someone to adjust the time in your Mercedes for Daylight Saving Time you can bring your vehicle to Atlanta Classic Cars during normal business hours and our Mercedes-Benz trained technicians will be happy to assist you. They will reset your clock and answer any other operational questions you may have.

While you’re here, request a complimentary multi-point inspection to ensure your vehicle is safe for upcoming shorter days and longer nights. If maintenance or repairs are recommended, receive 15% off parts and labor. But hurry! This offer expires on November 28, 2009!

You must set an appointment by calling 770 279 3600 and asking for the appointment desk.

If you don’t live in the Atlanta area or would just like to take care of this yourself read my post on setting the clock in your Mercedes-Benz.

MBCA member benefits include:
The Star magazine – this bi-monthly publication features beautiful photography, new-car road tests, MBUSA news, club events and much more.
MBUSA Loyalty Reward Program – If you are a MBCA member for more than 12 months immediately preceding the purchase of a new or pre-owned Mercedes you are eligible to receive a gift card for parts, service and accessories at the dealership. New cars qualify for $1500 and Certified Pre-Owned for $750!
Enthusiast Groups, Club Forums, Local Chapter Newsletters, Access to the Technical Library, Trips to Germany and more!

Membership is a bargain for all of the benefits that you receive. A one year membership is $45, 2 years for $87 and 3 years for $127. If you currently have a Mercedes you will appreciate the informative magazine and the network of other owners. If you are planning to buy another Mercedes in the future you’ll benefit hugely from the Loyalty Reward Program.

Follow this link to sign up online!

Important notes on the tax credit:
Must be purchased, not leased
The credit is claimed on your Income Tax Returns, not at time of sale
The upcoming ML450 and S400 hybrids will qualify for the same program, amounts to be determined.
Toyota/Lexus are no longer eligible for these credits
2009 ML320 BlueTEC qualifies for $900 credit
2009 GL320 BlueTEC qualifies for $1800 credit
2009 R320 BlueTEC qualifies for $1550 credit

Mercedes-Benz offers an amazing program called European Delivery. You can order your vehicle at your local dealership, fly to Germany to pick it up, tour Europe for a few weeks in your new car and then have it shipped to your local dealership. It takes a little pre-planning but you do get a nice discount on the vehicle and it often pays for your vacation!

The earliest possible delivery dates for the 2010 models are as follows:
C-Class July 27, 2009
GLK350W April 15, 2009
GLK350W4 February 25, 2009
E350W, E550W July 20, 2009
E350W4, E550W4 September 28, 2009
CLS-Class August 19, 2009
SLK-Class October 19, 2009
SL-Class October 19, 2009
S-Class August 19, 2009

This is the first time that you can purchase an SUV through the European Delivery Program! Also, the E-Class is available for pick-up quite soon after the official launch of the new body style this summer. There is usually more of a delay. You can visit the European Delivery Site for more information or contact your local dealer.

I have had several customers call me about what to do for fuel during the shortage here in Atlanta. Many of our local gas station are out of everything but Regular Grade.

According to the owner’s manual, you may use Regular Grade fuel in your vehicle if the higher grades are unavailable. However, you need to change how you are driving. It is recommended you do not accelerate quickly and do not exceed 3000 RPM. If you can, put in less than half a tank and add Premium Grade back as soon as possible. We are not recommending that you put Regular Grade in an AMG vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz has issued a recall for the trailer hitch on ML and GL vehicles, 2006 through 2008 with a VIN ending in A419399 and lower. It is recommended that you do not tow anything until the recall work is performed! When you bring the vehicle in for the this work, a certified welder will reweld the seams connecting the trailer hitch receiver to the attachment bar used to secure the trailer hitch to the body frame. It should take about 2 hours to complete.

If your vehicle is part of this recall you should have received this letter from MBUSA. However, I know sometimes people move or purchase the car privately and Mercedes may not have your address.

Safety first!

Here at Atlanta Classic Cars we want to take great care of your Mercedes-Benz! Our detail department is top notch and we offer several great packages to keep your car looking pristine! You can schedule a detail through the appointment desk by calling 770-279-3600 or just ask your service advisor to add one on next time you are in for regular maintenance. (Please allow for extra time…Perfection can’t be rushed!)

Classic Car Wash – Free with any service or $14.95
Includes basic car wash, tire cleaning and dressing, window cleaning, vacuum and a shampoo of the four floormats.

Impeccable Interior – $79.95
Includes the Classic Car Wash plus cleaning the hard to reach areas between the seats, rear window area and brake light area, center console, dash and seats. We shampoo the carpets, mats, door panels, headliner and trunk.

Gorgeous Exterior – $89.95
Includes the Classic Car Wash followed by a premium paint sealant for a long lasting finish. All exterior trim and the tires are cleaned. This is all done by hand – No buffers!

Complete Detail – $149.95
Combines the Impeccable Interior with the Gorgeous Exterior at a value added price.

Executive Detail – $249.95
The Complete Detail plus a thorough cleaning of the engine and engine compartment.

The time has come to reset the clock in your vehicle. Some of your vehicles may have automatically reset…some may have done so on the wrong day…and some might not do it at all! Here are some of the standard ways to reset the clock.

Setting the Clock Using the Multifunction Steering Wheel
Vehicles without COMAND VEHICLES WITHOUT NAVIGATION UNIT
Changing dashboard clock:
1. With engine running and car in Park, press left side lower button on steering wheel until Settings appears in the lower display of speedometer. Do not press Reset at this time.
2. Press the up arrow button located on the left side of steering wheel and a menu will appear in the lower display of the speedometer. Scroll down to Time or Time/Date using the (+) or (-) button on the right side of steering wheel.
NOTE: You must continue tapping the (+) or (-) button on steering wheel until menu appears. On some models, the Time/Date option is listed under submenu Vehicle.
3. Ensure Time is highlighted and press the up arrow to view Clock Hours then press (+) or (-) to adjust the hour. If minutes do not require adjusting, skip to step 5.
4. Press the up arrow (steering wheel) until Clock Minutes is displayed. Press (+) or (-) to adjust minutes.
5. Press the Reset or R button (small round button to the left of the fuel gauge). Clock will now run backward to 12 noon then automatically advance to the correct time.
6. Press the Page button on the left side of steering wheel to exit.

Setting the Clock Using the COMAND Controls
VEHICLES WITH NAVIGATION UNIT – not connected to Tele Aid
1. Ensure engine is running.
2. Press the SERV button on the left side of COMAND (3rd button down on left side next to TEL).
The system screen will appear. If not, click the SYSTEM soft key.
3. Press the TIME soft key.
4. Use the left or right arrow keys to select hours or minutes.
5. Press the up or down arrow keys to set the minutes and hours.
6. Each time the up or down arrow is pressed, the time will change in 30-minute increments.
7. Press the BACK soft key button or OK button.
8. Time is set. Analog clock on dash will automatically change also.
If the analog dashboard clock does not change along with the COMAND unit clock, turn engine off and on again or ensure the TIME SYNC is checkmarked ON in the settings menu under TIME/DATE sub heading.
If the Time Sync menu is missing, or Time Sync is on and the analog clock does not change, follow these instructions:
1. With engine running and car in Park, press left side lower button on steering wheel until the Settings display appears in the lower display of speedometer. Do not press Reset at this time.
2. Press the up arrow button located on the left side of steering wheel. A menu will appear in lower display of speedometer. Scroll down to Time or Time/Date using the (+) or (-) button on the right side of steering wheel.
NOTE: You must continue tapping the (+) or (-) button on steering wheel until menu appears. On some models, the Time/Date option is listed under submenu Vehicle.
3. Ensure Time is highlighted and press the up arrow to view Clock Hours then press (+) or (-) to adjust the hour. If minutes do not require adjusting, skip to step 5.
4. Press the up arrow (steering wheel) until Clock Minutes is displayed. Press (+) or (-) to adjust minutes.
5. Press the Reset or R button (small round button to the left of the fuel gauge). Clock will now run backward to 12 noon then automatically advance to the correct time.
6. Press the Page button on the left side of steering wheel to exit.

Setting the Clock for Vehicles without COMAND and GPS
1. To set the hours, pull out the right knob in the instrument cluster and turn it counterclockwise.
2. To set the minutes, pull out the right knob in the instrument cluster and turn it clockwise.
3. To set the clock by a single hour or a few minutes, turn the knob a few degrees in the direction indicated for hours or minutes.