I was talking to a girl at school who hit a blue mercedes just like this and she told me his name. i was amazed she hit the car and totaled it with a suburban. Its sad to say but i feel bad for the guy. No luke with kids

Benzman, are you saying the girl driving a Suburban hit the alternator scammer's MB & totaled it? Amazing how "stuff" comes back around, isn't it?

yes sorry i was not clear

Every dog has it's day....

That’s incredible!!!! How much did you pay her? (Just kidding)

BTW, did the guy call and offer to sell you the car???

(ROTFLOL)

...Tracy

(While I wouldn't want to hear of the guy getting hurt, or the girl getting sued, hope I’m not the only one who finds this funny.)

[Edited by Lebenz on 02-27-2001 at 12:55 AM]

In regards to the old guy, this is the reason why I don't give jump starts to people. It is obviously his responsibility since, his battery was dead to begin with (alternator failure). Don't want to be a jerk but, people will cause you more trouble and no appreciation. If I get in mechanical trouble. I just call Triple A.

So let say if you see Elle MacPherson in need of CPR, you might not perform a CPR on her, like you wouldn't jump start batteries?

*grin*

I will be quite careful when it comes to all that we discuss here, but eventually if I were to come by someone who needed assistance for something like jump starting the batteries - I might just lend a hand, but try to stand by and watch more than actually doing the stuff and getting sued for it.


ps. Interesting quote this is: Too many have dispensed with generosity in order to practice charity.
-Albert Camus, writer and philosopher (1913-1960)

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

MBUSA Roadside Assistance Program is free, including "a few gallons of fuel". Check out the MBUSA website:

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/owners/clientcare/roadsideassistance/index.jsp&menu=0_3#

When a battery is bad, it may have a short inside. It may explode when you jump it.

David




[Edited by be459 on 02-27-2001 at 11:30 PM]

David,
I had no idea how far Mercedes stands behind the owners of their cars. I knew that they made great cars but to offer free roadside assistance no matter how old the car "INCREDIBLE"

I was wondering if anybody has used this service? It sounds to good to be true.

Wasn't a lot of the response in this thread just as anti-social as the person who misused freely given help? Or does it fix things to resent someone as long as they resent you first? After 57 years for me the people who have appreciated my helping them (particularly taking into consideration their secondary level weaknesses) is about 99.9% favorable and .1% blow up in your face. And if you're really helping who needs the most help...the guy with a busted car or the guy with the busted car who doesn't know what's going on? As an older guy let me remind you that insecurity and the lack of appreciation that it generates is not age sensitive. I don't mean my two kids. They appreciate all I've done for them.
I do apologize if I've been preachy. Not intended in that vain. I just wish to critique a concept, not any individuals.

__________________
Dan Stadt
'85 300D turbo
'79 300SD
'73 220D

This is a sad thread.

__________________
ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Wow.... this is an OLD post. How in the world did you ever find it?

I was going to reply to the original post, but who knows if that person is even still on here, because the post count shows "n/a".

Anyway- talk about ungrateful of that owner with the broke down car. There was nothing he could have done anyway in my opinion. He did not know that guys address, or did he?

0I can use my higher CCA battery (1090 CCA) to jump my gas coupe (800CCA)
because they are two years between each other. (91 350SD swb, and 89 300CE coupe) but only from higher alternator output to lower. Also the age of the batteries is a telltale sign of what to jump and what not to.

Use a voltmeter to determine the DCV of the battery on the dead car. If it is below 8-9 VDC or around that then leave the dead car alone. Take the battery out and take it to a auto parts and let them test/charge it. If the dead battery is 9.1 VDC or above, (YOU MUST HAVE HEAVY DUTY CABLES IF YOU DRIVE AN MB) Then I have had success jumping off from other folks cars if you know the sequence to connect the battery cables:

1. connect the ground from the dead battery to the (-) anode on the running battery. Clip the two hots (+) clamps on the cables to themselves or have a person hold them and NEVER ALLOW THE (+) CATHODE TO TOUCH GROUND, either yourself or the vehicle. Then attach the dead car battery to the running engine (good) battery and (good) alternator cathode (+) this lessens the chance that you get exploded by trying to help out another MB owner.

2. Voltmeter simple tests for batteries:

a) required starting VDC: +/- 12.0 to 12.7 VDC
b) the absolute minimum on the dead MB battery you are trying to help MUST be at least, to be sage, around 9 VDC min. Less than 9 remove or call AAA
c) voltage at battery terminals on a running engine with wkg. alternator: 13.5 to 14.7 VDC (WHEN ALTERNATOR IS RUNNING)
d) as most of us do not carry load detectors we cannot properly adjudicate a battery's "charge worthiness" but you can protect yourself from damage before attempting to help ONLY ANOTHER MB OWNER simply using a voltmeter (DC) that anyone who owns a MB should keep at the ready, with spare battery for voltmeter, if digital. Marinecraft/ hope this helps someone.

ALSO: If anyone owns an older Benz, and more importantly ANY BENZ after 1998, then it is a good idea to get AAA plus or Premium depending on your driving habits. I once had to use them for the 200 Mile tow option on a 1982 Euro 300 TDT wagon that broke a flexplate on the Bonnet Carey spillway.

Best, BENZ owner since the mid 70's.