2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
What's a parent to do when they need to transport more than two or three children (or adults for that matter), but they're not willing to make the leap to a minivan and don't love the trucky feel of a traditional SUV? Well, if you are looking for a great crossover, you buy a 2011 Mercedes-Benz R350. It transports up to six people, drives just as easily as a smaller car and does it all with classy Benz swank.
I enjoyed my week test-driving the R-Class. I loved the quiet ride, standard all-wheel drive, the just-right responsive acceleration and the easy braking so much that I was willing to overlook other irksome qualities that normally would have swayed my opinion.
The R350, which was redesigned for 2011, has great visibility, with a big windshield that framed the amazing mountain vistas as I drove to Taos, N.M. The huge dual panoramic moonroofs kept the R-Class' cabin feeling bright and airy. I also loved having the flexibility to haul a variety of combinations of people and cargo, but the third row could definitely use some rethinking.
INTERIOR
I loved the amount of legroom in the second row and the ability to move the row's two captain's chairs back and forth, creating more or less legroom for the third row. The second-row's captain's chairs slide and collapse forward to create access to the third row.
The third row's utility for little passengers is great and doable for full-sized passengers on short trips. When not in use, it folds out of the way seamlessly.
I was appreciative of the R350's 110-volt outlet, which I used to plug my iPad in, and my kids loved the rear entertainment system's dual screens in the second row.
SAFETY
I'm so impressed by the R350's safety features. All of the seat belts in the second and third rows were easy for newbies to operate on their own without assistance. The buckles sat nice and high on stable bases, so even those with little hands trying to maneuver around booster seats could buckle up easily.
There are four sets of lower Latch anchors in the R350, with two sets in the second row and two more in the third. Except for minivans, it's unusual to find Latch connectors in the third row of most cars, so I really appreciated the two sets in the third row. The lower Latch anchors in the second-row captain's chairs are visible, so there's no pushing aside seat cushions to get at them. The top tether anchors are easily accessible on the back of each of the captain's chairs. In the third row, the Latch connectors are tucked inside little plastic compartments with removable plastic covers. The top tethers are located on the backside of the third-row seats. All three types of child-safety seats – rear-facing infant seat, forward- and rear-facing convertible seat and high-back booster seat – fit well in this crossover. The reclining seats made it easy to get a good fit with the forward-facing convertible seat and the booster.
The R350 has standard four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control with anti-roll control, traction control, hill-start assist and all-wheel drive. It also has eight airbags, including side-impact airbags for the first and second rows and side curtains for all three rows.
Other than all of the standard safety stuff you'd expect in a luxury brand in 2011, I was appreciative of the blind spot warning system option, which is new for 2011. It's worth splurging for. It keeps an eye on your blind spots for you and alerts you with an illuminated triangle in the side mirror if a car pulls into your blind spot. If a car is in your blind spot and you signal that you're going to turn that way, the R-Class will beep to let you know it's not yet safe to merge. The R350 also has optional front and rear parking sensors and a backup camera.
CONCLUSION
Inside and out, it is very clear that Mercedes-Benz wanted to up the bar when improving upon the R-Class, and they have achieved their goal. I commend Mercedes-Benz for their constantly thinking about the little things that will improve the driving experience. Among crossovers in its class, this is the new leader.
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk
On October 24th, MileOne Automotive employees, friends and family in Maryland joined together to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Baltimore. MileOne Automotive is a long-time participant in the event and look forward to this day each fall.
The weather and turn-out were both great for this year’s event. Team members met at our Flagship Sponsor tent in a park at the Harry and Jeannetta Weinberg YMCA Center in Baltimore. Before the walk began, team members enjoyed light refreshments, turned in their last-minute donations and got ready for the event to begin!
Jerry Fader, President of MileOne Automotive, spoke to all walkers at this year’s Making Strides event before the beginning of the walk. He addressed the importance of fundraising and the impact that The American Cancer Society has in all of our lives. After the speech, there was a quick MileOne team photo taken then everyone headed to the start line.
The walk took place on a scenic, 4-mile course throughout the Mayfield neighborhood of Baltimore. Part of the walk included a trip around Lake Montebello. American Cancer Society volunteers, neighbors and even some cheerleaders encouraged walkers along the way. Everyone ended the walk under a huge pink balloon arch, welcoming them back to the event’s main area. Music, snacks and water were on-hand for all participants.
Overall, the event was successful for MileOne and The American Cancer Society, further strengthening the partnership between the two organizations. Throughout the Making Strides season, MileOne employees helped to raise thousands of dollars, as they do each year, to benefit the ACS. This event each year is a great celebration for all participants to recognize strength, volunteerism and community.
The First Minivan
The 1936 Stout Scarab came about in the early 1930s when William B. Stout, head of the Stout Engineering Laboratories in Dearborn, Michigan, dreamed of rear-engine/rear-wheel drive. Stout created the 1936 Stout Scarab so that drivers would have better visibility. His Scarab, with its flush glass and electric door locks, bore scant resemblance to any car on Depression-era roads.
Although the Scarab looked long -- like an old Greyhound bus with postwar "bathtub" Nash overtones -- the dimensions weren't terribly startling. The 135-inch wheelbase was on the long side, but the overall length of just over 16 feet-about the same as a 1936 Pontiac-allowed only minimal overhang at each end. And the rear-mounted engine couldn't be more commonplace: an 85-bhp flathead Ford V-8 hooked to Ford's three-speed gearbox. On a 6000-mile trip, Stout's car got a creditable 18.8 mpg.
Scarab interiors were as unique as their bodies. Only the driver's seat was fixed. All the others could be moved around the big, flat floor-even positioned around a fold-down table if desired.
A Stout ad in Fortune announced that 1936 production would be "limited to 100 cars," with prices starting at $5000. Scarabs actually cost a lot more to build, however, and nearly all of them went to Stout board members, including such notables as Phillip Wrigley and Harvey Firestone.
Ahead of its time? Absolutely. Not everyone falls for the unorthodox shape, but they all take notice if a Scarab glides into view. Just a glance at that elegantly fanned rear grillework confirms that the Scarab was -- and is -- something special.
Maryland has how many counties? (Do not count Baltimore City.)
27
19
23
14
See answer under Car Doctor.
Ask the Car Doctor
Winter Auto Maintenance Checklist
By Matthew Wright
In addition to the added perils of winter driving, the change in weather can bring peril to your car's systems. Freezing temps, salted roads and wintery precipitation can gang up on your car if you don't give it a baseball-bat sized maintenance session. These winter maintenance jobs will keep you out of trouble.
• Check your antifreeze
Your antifreeze (the juice that goes in your radiator) is an essential part of your car's winter protection. Your car contains a 50/50 mix of water and antifreeze. Make sure the level is full and the mixture is close to 50/50. Many service stations and repair centers will check this mixture free, or you can buy a tester for around $5. You did remember to perform a radiator flush last spring, didn't you?
• Inspect your tires
The last line of defense between you and an oak tree are your tires. Winter is not the time to get cheap about your tires, so take the time to check the tread depth. The National Highway Transportation Safety Board says you need at least 2/32" of depth to be safe. It's been my experience, especially in winter weather, that anything less than 4/32" (1/8") be replaced soon. The old penny test is as reliable as anything to find out whether your treads are ready for winter action. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure. Believe it or not, they lose a little pressure when it gets cold, so pump 'em up.
• Replace your wipers
Wipers? What do your windshield wipers have to do with winter weather? Two things. First, anything falling from the sky is going to end up on your windshield, and unless you have a team of beavers riding on the hood of your car the task of clearing it falls on your wipers. Second, in areas that see snowfall in the winter, you're also driving through that soupy muck that's left on the road once the highway department does their thing. This muck includes a lot of sand and salt, both of which end up on your windshield. It takes wipers that are in top shape to keep your windshield clean and safe.
• Check your windshield washer fluid
You'll be using lots of washer fluid as you try to keep your windshield sparkly. A mile stuck behind an 18-wheeler will have your windshield looking like a Desert Humvee if you're low on washer fluid. *Tip: Don't fill your washer fluid reservoir with anything except washer fluid, it won't freeze!
Annual Maintenance Procedures
On top of the checks you need to perform to ensure safe winter driving, now's a good time to do some annual maintenance. These aren't necessarily specific to winter driving, but it's a good point on the calendar to get around to doing this stuff.
• Clean your battery posts
Starting problems are a bummer any time of year. Regularly treating your battery to a cleaning can keep electrical gremlins at bay.
• Inspect your spark plug wires
Cracked up plug wires affect performance, gas mileage and general reliability. Be sure yours are in top shape.
• Inspect your brakes
Brakes are not a good area to cut corners. Be sure your brakes have enough meat left to get you through the season.
• Check Your Engine Oil
This should go without saying and should be done at least monthly. But in case you're an amnesiac ... you should also do an oil change!
Cold weather safety should be a concern for anybody living in a cold climate. These tips will give you the upper hand when Old Man Winter tries to put a chill on your winter travels. If you're extra curious about staying generally safe in winter weather, the National Weather Service has an excellent Winter Safety & Awareness guide that covers everything from how storms brew to a list of history's billion dollar winter wonders.
Make sure that your automobile is up to date on its service schedule.
Click Here to schedule a service appointment at your nearest Mile One Service Center.
The correct answer is 23
Anne Arundel, Allegany, Baltimore, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Caroline, Carroll, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George, Queen Annes, Saint Marys, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.
