Seems hard to believe it has been 45 years since the debut of the Mercedes-Benz “107” series cars. These exceptional cars have endured the the test of time and timeless design, even by today’s standards of styling and engineering. The Mercedes 107 production ran from 1972 to 1989, a masterful...
Vehicle accessories like radar detectors are often thrown in cars haphazardly; Users stick them on the windshield, plug it into the 12v socket, and drive. While this has no negative impact on its effectiveness, a radar detector is stealthiest when it is tucked out of the way without any wires...
For a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc the owner’s manual states that the Saab Information Display (SID) will determine when an oil change is needed based on mileage and driving conditions. This is estimated at approximately 15k miles or 2 years (likely shorter if you’re driving it pretty hard). It also...
Saab indicates a 30k mile replacement interval for the engine’s air filter (also known as the “engine air cleaner element”). This component ensures that the outside air being brought into the engine is clean and sufficient for complete combustion. If you neglect this maintenance item the engine...
Cabin air filters never get the love they deserve. Most used vehicles I encounter have the original filter installed well past its expiration date. With this comes reduced airflow through the vents, and the potential for some serious odor. A general recommendation for cabin filter replacement is...
Saab doesn’t have a replacement interval for the serpentine belt tensioner. It could last a long time, or components such as the internal spring or pulley bearings can go bad at any time. I’ve never seen a sudden failure but I guess it could theoretically happen. Personally, I treat this as...
Extended oil change intervals are defying age-old myths about how long oil will last. Not only do they save money by reducing the amount of oil changes your vehicle needs, but they reduce the amount of waste oil coming back to recycling facilities. When a BMW indicates its oil is spent, how do...
In a 2004 Saab 9-3 Arc I kept hearing a knock sound coming from the front of the car when braking to a stop. After looking over the car I concluded that the sway bar links needed to be changed and was the likely culprit. The car has over 120k miles with the original links so it made sense to...
Whenever I drove over uneven ground - particularly speed bumps - I’d hear loud sounds that sounded like a creaking door from the front of the car. At first I thought it was scraping underneath somewhere or if something needed to be lubed but then checked the car and researched that worn sway bar...
Tires are one of the most important parts to prioritize. Staying safe + alive in a fast moving vehicle that carries a lot of mass is priority #1. Good tires in good condition that are appropriate for your area will always be one of the key components that will help keep you safe and out of...