Mercedes W204 air vent swap and winter tyres go on late
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- Опубликовано: 28 ноя 2021
- How to swap an air vent in a Mercedes W204 and swapping over to winter tyres a week too late.
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RE the airbag recall, my 2003 BMW E46 was done 2 years ago, result, and you have reminded me to put my Winter tyres on as well.
Matt, I've had Michelin Cross Climate tyres on a couple of my cars over the last few years. They were fantastic when the Beast from the East arrived, and are good in the summer too. Saves all the faff of swapping and storing wheels.
We had them and have Conti on the Mini, but I find them a bit soft in the summer
I've got them on my Hyundai i30 Fastback and didn't notice much difference from the Pilot 3s that were on it before. They are quite low profile (45s) so perhaps that helps the firmness.
Good call winter tyres they are a game changer anything 10 degrees and under the help massivley
Huge difference, you can feel the extra grip on icy mornings and if it snows we cant get out of our road without them
my jazz came with dunlops from new, which cracked after just 3 years and 7,000 miles! so i replaced them with goodyears, which are brilliant, theyve improved the ride and handling and even the economy! apparantly there was a recall on certain tyres, which my honda dealer failed to tell me!! also ive had both airbags done free of charge by honda.
Excellent Sam Vîmes reference.
Sir Terry, I miss you.
Me too, I think I have everything he wrote
Amen & thanks for the night-watch
Try searching on youtube in german for your light problem (estates are much more common in germany): Mercedes Kennzeichenleuchte c250 kombi
Good tip, thanks!
I've run Nokians, Gislaveds and Blizzak and I am a die hard Blizzak believer. I've got a 4MOTION VW Golf and it's virtually a snowmobile in our Canadian climate.
totally agree with Matt re winter tyres , for the 3 or 4 months i use them that's 3 or 4 months where my ' normal ' tyres aren't being worn down .. i first started using winter tyres about 5 years ago & everybody laughed at me , until they saw me driving up snowy / icy roads in my little FWD hatchback that people in 4WD's couldn't
Yes, I've been using winter tyres for the last 11 years. A FWD car with winters on the front will beat a 4WD on summers anyday in snow.
Great one Matt - I’ve used Firestone Multi Seasons on my Volvo for the last year round - they seem to be a very good tyre for the icy conditions last few days
I have a Mitsubishi ASX and I fitted all season tyres in July, tried them in the snow this morning and seem ok, had winters on previous cars and are brilliant.
A work colleague spent £30000 on a new Ford Puma in September, he had to walk to work because he couldn't get out of the drive😂.
I agree the S204 is very reliable the only issues my 2014 has is Squeeky dash/door trim (solved by wd40 plastic spray). Thanks for the heads up on the airbag recall, I checked online and mine is affected so good to know.
Great little Blog Matt and good to seen modern Merc again. That seems such a faff for the number plate bulbs to be changed. Be interesting also to see Mercedes change the passenger airbag. Drive safe!
Its a crazy set up and no need to be that difficult. I doubt the dealer will let me in but maybe?
Nice bit of content Matt. My Yaris Verso 'plate lights are 'dealer accessible only' even though every other exterior bulb is fairly easy access. Now I'm running humdrum fwd hatches I favour all season tyres for our use as the New Forest doesn't get much snow.
If you can wangle it to film the airbag recall that would be interesting as I've twice had toyotas in for the well documented inflator issue.
I have the same car, diesel manual, great car, didn't know about the recall, do now, thank you!
Awesome video keep them coming i have the saloon c180 and it has the same registration light issue and another common issue earth wire also going to get airbags done aswell
I have Goodyear Vector 4 gen3 all season tyres on my Octavia 4x4. They stay on all year and seem to have lasted well. I'm in the Yorkshire Dales where you'd expect snow, but in all honesty I havn't been out in snow yet. I like the tyres.
A merry Christmas to Matt at furious driving who is never afraid to give out a like! Keep up the good work mate.
I’ve switched to Bridgestone Weather Control A005 Evo tyres. Out perform Michelin Cross Climate in several tests I’ve seen. In real world, an all season [3 Peak snow flake certified] tyre. Wears no more than their premium summer touring tyres but it has been a revelation as the temperature dropped and snow arrived (albeit for a day or two). I’ve put over 7,000 miles on them and wear has been under 1mm since new. Good value all rounder.
Got the same recall for my w212, didn’t think about the potential damage, may have to take some photos in case I need to prove a point 🤔
I love the s204, drove one briefly whilst my car was having a service at Stevensons, it had a galactic mileage but still felt tight as a drum no wonder you want to keep yours.
Oh and for what it’s worth Michelin cross climate all the way…
Have you considered all season tyres more recently? Those with the 3 peak snowflake on the side would be perfect for 99% of the UK (exception being Scottish highlands, but even then they'd probably be fine for anyone just visiting and not living there). I'd recommend the 'Tyre Reviews' channel and their all season tyre comparison videos. The Michelin CrossClimate +/2 is sort of a winterised summer tyre that does really quite well in the snow. I have a set of the '+' and in snow I'm happy with them all year round. I've had them through a bit of snow here in Northern Ireland last year and am pleased with their performance, but those videos are what convinced me to get them in the first place, so I'd go by them over my recommendation. Tested in more snow than we are likely to see, besides the odd storm.
We have a couple of the good brands of those on the Mini Clubman, but I find them a little soft in summer
Love the Pratchett quote!
I ‘won’ a day out at the Porsche Experience place at Silverstone a few years back. It was basically a marketing exercise for Michelin winter tyres, but we did get to play with several expensive cars on the special low grip surfaces and the difference in grip between winter and summer or all season tyres was pretty remarkable. Still can’t afford a set of Michelins though, so mine has Contis for winter.
Great day out and an eye opener! Nothing wrong with the Contis, we've gone from Michelin to those and not felt any difference
I have had Michelin,Pirelli and Dunlop Snow tyres on my Front Drive Volvos and Hankook Winters on my Wife's Kia Picanto. All were Superb and well able for anything this country can through their way.
The main advantages are stopping and the ability to get going again without the slightest problem once stopped. They just go.
Funny thing I have constantly discovered is that BMW X5s are amazingly capable machines but without winter tyres they end up left at home. 🤔
Also very interested to find out about an older cheaper Electric Vehicle for local travel.
Matt, put some marks on obvious screws before the airbag job, and fill the glovebox with stuff and take a pic. I have experience of a Mazda bag recall. Lancia Nigel.
good idea!
I think having 1/2 number plate lights working is an advisory at MOT not failure. Still bloody annoying though, how ridiculous that they require so much effort to replace!
Its irritating having to cancel the warning every time the car is turned on, regardless of anything else!
It's zee chermans being funny ya
Lovely Jubbly, enjoyed that Matt nice to see a more youthful car again.
makes a change from rust!
There are loads of good All Weather tyres now which save you having to use winter tyres. Especially where you are based. Previously I did use winter and summer tyres.
I've used Michelin Cross Climate, Bridgestone AW09 and also now have Continentals and they all work well in the snow and winter conditions as long as you're not stupid. And quite well in the summer though they wear a little quicker than summer tyres.
Woah! So, it took them 10 years to roll out the recall. Wow...
The problem with Takata air-bags is that the moisture could get inside the propellant, and cause a chamical reaction, which would make explosion (when activated) pore powrful than designed, which could in some cases cause the metal casing to shatter and send shrapnel flying. That type of propellant is no longer used in air-bags. The new one is not sensitive to moisture.
Their big problem is they built these too well so there are thousands still running around!
Love watching your videos mate love these cars
Very good reliable cars just chopped my 2012 c220 cdi auto in for a newer eclass it was a great car had no problems with it and it was great on diesel really useful cars
Changed my tyres over for years when winter comes. Bit of a pain, but worth it when everyone else is stuck in the snow.
I have a limited budget but still manage to afford them. No excuse really for those with a big budget, apart from lazyness.
What a crazy design for the number plate bulbs! Otherwise you seem to have a Good car. Please don't crash. That would be inadvisable. You don't want to meet DEATH yet.
or Binky
I too use Michelin Cross Climates as well on my E320, last set lasted 31000 miles and near four years of use.
I regret selling my old original wheels, I should have kept them for winter tyres 😯
My 22 year old Audi TT has also been recalled for an airbag change but as far as I'm aware it's just for the steering wheel.
I've just brought a 1997 c180 w202 I absolutely love it
I have a C250 Coupe and I have been using hankook winter i*cept evo3 for the past 3 years, and found them to be really good in both cold weather and snow.
Before I bought winter tyres; my car was undriveable in the winter months. I live in Scotland to give you some context
Been a winter tyre advocate for 11 years in snowy Yorkshire.
I have Falken all season tyres on my 1992 190E and it handles the snow in Scotland better than a modern 4wd. No difference from summer tyres in the 1 day we get a sunny day up here either !
To change the bulbs you remove the bottom trim with the boot button the carpet and piece and top trim are just on poppers. Really easy job ive done mine a couple of times over the 6 years ive owned it. Should have really videoed it myself
is that on a wagon or saloon, as this doesnt have the poppers on the side to release the carpet
Currentlly, the best winter tyres are Continental TS 870. No matter the price, I would go for the best tyres. Tyre are the most important part of the car after all.
I like Contis alot, thats whats on the summer wheels, but this late will have to see whats available
I would recommend cleaning up the hub when changing the wheels so it sits flat on the hub.. And the surface on the wheel too to minimise/ remove vibrations
so - to recap for a simple bulb replacement the advice is before MOT failure ( which will reduce the car's value ) torch the car and claim on the insurance
Its the only sensible option
Can you get that shape of Merc with a 5 or 6 cylinder engine with the manual gearbox?
I have a feeling its only the 4 cylinders
I’ve just checked my w204 as it’s 13 plate doesn’t have a recall my be different airbags
Mine is also a manual I fitted some Michelin cross climate 2s a couple of weeks ago seem fantastic so far and in summer apparently way out preform the older cross climate +
Only time will tell
Would be really interesting if the local dealer will allow you to film the airbag work. It's always the simple jobs that are the most difficult, yet pleasing. 👍
This generation of Merc is so much better than the A-Classes now. They are dreadful and we get many newer C and E class with total electric failure and seized engines. Definitely the last of a good breed. Great video Matt.
When I bought it I was looking for long term reliable (and rear wheel drive manual) and this was the winner by far
My ex missus 2007 a150 had a recall on airbags, the blackburn dealer did a great job and valeted the car too at no cost.
I think my local one is good too, be nice to save me cleaning it in the winter!
i read the top of the screen as air vent snap and wondered how you broke it haha - must get eyes tested :D
Love the Sam Vimes quote
My preferred winter tires are Bridgestone Blizzak's and Nokian Hakkepeliitta's
What's the lead for you unplugged from the vent?
the back light
Matt, I've had to replace the vent at the rear of the centre console on my own W204 and it broke in exactly the same way.. The number plate lights on the saloon aren't much better to change than the estate.
Put leds in the number plate lights common mod at moment, just doing it to my vw t4 units cheaper than bulbs 💡 🤓👍 rare car manual merc , when you DAB and sat naving it 😀 👍
Need to check they dont flicker on the CAN bus as the LEDs I tried in the side lights needed an epilepsy warning!
Need to find a good DAB/car play unit for the pre-facelift cars
Good thought. I replaced several such bulbs in my Fiesta ST with LEDs with no issues.
Maybe you can ask how to replace that license plate lamp?
Ten years and 130,000 miles isn't bad at all.
Takata SRS were in quite a number of vehicles.
I did think about asking while Im there. Yes they were in loads of things
@@furiousdriving Takata Were in quite a few US vehicles as well!
Wishing you success on changing that bulb! And it has gotten as cold as you are, and flying 🌨 as well!
10 year shelf life for airbags? Makes me wonder if the airbags in my -99 Cougar are even going to do anything if I have a crash.
Hope I never find out :)
Did you get that bulb changed or was it a dealer jobbie in the end?
Still broken
You need a set of cross climate 2. Amazing tyres
We had them on the last Mini Cooper 5 dr, and have the Continental equivalent on the Clubman, excellent all rounders but a bit soft for pushing the car hard in summer
I have them on my shitbox Sandero. They are great. For proper cars, it is a good idea to use them as winter tyres (fall/winter, because they are better in the dry and wet compared to winter tyres) if you live in a mild climate area (not much snow and ice), and use summer tyres for the spring/summer.
I guess it's what they call dry rot in those tyres. My Mondeo's airbag is disconnected, some people think I'm stupid, but it was malfunctioning and is 28 years old, would it even go off properly (I know they have 10 year expiry stamped on them from other owners too).
Looks like it, but surprising to see it on tyres this new that were stored in the dark in summer.
Dont blame you on the air bag, chances are it wont work at all rather than too much after so long
I just put a non-airbag steering wheel on my 26 year old car. I actually just did it because I didn't like the old steering wheel but turns out I can now say it's for a different reason!
Am I being daft? But was the Same Vimes reference from discworld?
Nice little fix with the air vent. But what a stupid design with the license plate lights...
Its ridiculous! Normally so well thought out, but not here
C'mon someone, work out how to change the bulbs! Now Matt has publicised this my 2012 S204 will cash in on it!! Great content btw Matt. On the tyres, its important to clean winter tyres thoroughly before they are stored, then dress them with a rubber protector. Car pro Perl, is my favourite, but Aremerol or any plastic or rubber dressing will do. the BIG thing tho is getting them clean. Brake dust is corrosive to both metal AND rubber!
What are your thoughts on the citroen c2
Good car, the hot ones are lots of fun,but you dont see them much now
Very nice car. I wanted to get one 5 years ago, but was "forced" to buy Sandero from my parents, so they get extra money for their new car. C2 was somwhere in between A and B segment, and Citroen (or almost any other brand?) no longer makes cars in that segment. They are great looking, great for the city driving. Very safe in a crash for its time and size. And decently reliable. VTS versions are what I would look for, since I think they will become (if not already) a modern classic. Even 1.1L ones are decent.
Cracking blew the expensive boot theory then (plus the cost of the extra wheels of course).
It would've been interesting to know where you had bought the air vents.
EBay
Great stuff . You have a separate set of wheels for winter tyres? Did you have to buy a new set of wheels?
yes you need new wheels .. usually best to get wheels 1 size smaller diameter , then you can go 1 size up on the tyres .. ( in my case normal is 215 50 16 , & winter is 215 60 15's )
@@888johnmac ah I see. Thanks
This car car with 17s which look a bit small so kept them for winters and got a nicer set of AMG18s for summer
@@furiousdriving that makes sense. Do you find the c class very squirrely on ice or even slightly damp roads? I have a w204 c180. It can slip a bit , which I kind of enjoy. But I fear if its wet when my partner drives it.
Must get some trim tools to add to the stash... you only know you need them when you damage something with a screwdriver.
I've got the recall for my 59 plate c220 just a 120 mile round trip, rear number plate light undo the 4 screws in the handles loosen trim, remove door card with trim tools no need to touch rear wiper, you will see the bulb holders, bit fiddly needle nosed pliers will help, replace with decent LEDs not chineesium rubbish, and away you go, had to do mine twice thanks eBay haha
I read I needed to pull the plastic panel down after the 4 screws but nothing was giving in a way that didnt feel like it was going to break!
@@furiousdriving you just need to loosen it as the boot lid card slides under it, no need to remove it, and the card is one piece held in with those plastic poppers, I think the correct way is to remove the external trim piece above the number plate but it worried me too how had it was to shift.
Why the electrical plug on a manual air vent?
for the light in the dial
Lovely to hear you referencing the great Sir Terry Pratchett. Are you a fan?
got every book!
@@furiousdriving I always knew you were a gentleman of taste and discernment 😊
Just took our 23 year Toyota Starlet in for an air bag recall!
Great they honoured it, Mini also did a wiring loom on my 2001 last year, which was good
Interesting indeed. Strange that replacing a simple light bulb is so difficult. On my Volvo 240, it is a 2 minute job. I upgraded to LED last time.
For winter tires, if you can find them, invest in a set of Nokian Haakapilliittta winter tires. They are incredible and very durable. Failing that, my second choice is the Guislaved NordFrost V. Another amazing extreme weather tire. I've had both and the just dig in and go. The have also lasted an amazing number of years and miles for me
When Continental shut the profitable Gislaved tire factory in Gislaved, Sweden after they bought the company I swore not ever to buy any Continental product. I switched to Nokian, at least those are finnish, living 60km from the border that felt much more local than german made Gislaved tires. But on a whole I'd say Michelin or Nokian, I buy winter tires for the grip and summer tires for longevity, I'm no racingdriver and not having to change summertires because they are wearing off like a pencil eraser is economy in my world.
Good news as long as one of the number plate light bulbs work it will pass the MOT
I got my tires replaced under warrantee when I had weather checked tires, It's a defect at that age, not normal wear.
good point, dont know I still have the receipt but the dealer will have a record
The W204 does seem like a very versatile all rounder, but if the only tea shelf is on the floor, then I'm afraid it's not the car for me.
Looking for suggestions on a Reliable Estate car .....??
Toyota
Hyundai
Suzuki
Hyundai i40, the cops use them so they can't be a bad car....
@@terryatkinson3182 yeah . They do ! .. love a big booty ☺️
Enjoyed, thanks. Your "yard" looks very empty.
Living in Sydney Australia l do not have to change my tyres because is does not snow also no problem about air bags on my 1997 hilux ute because it has not have air bags
Thats how to live the simple life
Also with the lack of snow no salt equals no rust the cab of my ute is rust free apart for surface rust and the tray is aluminum
But did u use the tea shelf?
You know I didnt!
@@furiousdriving oh yeah there was that weirdo that kept bothering u😁
@@jasoncornell1579 yeah, he was strange, kept walking in front of the camera!
@@furiousdriving yeah well u know u could've flown off the handle could've set fire to him but u know u didn't so what are u gonna do next time u see him?
@@jasoncornell1579 set fore to him
Just chuck a 12 volt buld on a peace of twinflex to the battery you got it or a magnetic lamp from pound land .in norway its eligal not to have winter tyres
Fitted regardless of weather conditions its a big business out there theres a changeover
Stores all cars have two sets of
Wheels winter and summer .just quicky 60%of cars
Are electric. Anyway when you get that light working you might
See yhat if you got a proplem with this dont build an electric car . Especially a rusty one.
I work in a Mercedes main dealer and on the 204s it is just the passenger and drivers airbags that are replaced
How do they do the passenger? Is it glove box out and remove from below?
@@furiousdriving we had our 1st 204 in for both bags replacing today and the book time for the job is 1.7 hours. The dash needs to be lifted up on the passenger side to replace the airbag.
If airbags really only lasted 10 or 11 years, that would be a huge thing
Its what they're rated for
@@furiousdriving That's probably because manufacturers - not wanting ever to get sued - have to draw a line somewhere. But from what I understand, even ones from the eighties should still deploy nicely today
Do you recon you will buy a cheap leaf at some point my friends brother was on about electric cars and I said I think I will end up with a cheap Nissan leaf in future good cars them Mercedes
they are the cheapest EV on the used market, only do about 60 miles but good for local trips so maybe, who knows?
Much better than the new Mercedeses. New ones are just Tablet computers with car body wrapped around them.
Another safety feature by Mercedes! If the dealer told you don't crash as it fires shrapnel at you, it will make for safer drivers!
Nightmare, there must be an easy way to change that bulb surely!
Small hammer...🤣
angle grinder
Check out how M539 Restorations fixed his headlights in his latest vid 🤣
I have had to fix every vent on our vectra. The bottom flap breaks loose - it's badly designed.
Modern tyres seem to perish really quickly.
Hard to believe they made it so difficult to change a bulb, if it doesnt even have leds? There really is no way to pry them out? The fact that you can wiggle the whole light would suggest they are mounted with clips like most lights I have seen are, but I will take your word for it not being that easy. Strange oversight nevertheless.
Worth mentioning maybe is the fact that there are winter tires for various severity. Probably 3 or 4 different "grades", depending on how you are counting it. The most extreme ones gives grip that is on a different planet on snow and ice compared to even the "continental"
Its too old for LEDs by a year or so
Great new boots analogy Matt 😂, no I really mean it 😉 and yeah you’ve guessed it 🤔 I’d buy the £10 pairs for 10 years and keep all those exploited poor people in work for a decade 😂😂👍🏻.
Not as solid a vent and dash as my Lexus (which aren't broken). 😉
Never bothered with winter tyres, British winters are generally mild. True, North of Scotland can get a bit naughty, but as someone who has lived in the North of England for the last 30 years I have never been in a situation where I thought to myself "damn, I wish I had fitted winter tyres". If you live in an area where you encounter untreated roads on a regular basis I can see the point. Otherwise, a decent set of all season tyres will be fine in my experience.
Always brings a smile to my face when a light dusting of snow brings traffic to a grinding halt in the UK. A little island with a temperate climate where an SUV is the popular choice, even in urban areas...and yet a little bit of snow can mean gridlock! Oh mighty winter road warriors!
You just kinda just defeated your own argument there - dont need them but we are brought to a halt every winter i would say means we need winter tyres!
@@furiousdriving No, people just can't adapt to driving in the snow!
This ain’t idubbbz????
Winter or expensive tyre's will never make up for people's over conference or lack of talent. Porsches crash, just saying 😁
But not aimed at Mr F driving
10 years old and it’s falling apart. You’ve got to love German build quality. Built like tanks. . . A tank made out of chocolate perhaps 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I dont think Id call one vent handle coming off falling apart!
tyres are made worse now
Never understood this "winter tyre" business in England.
We dont get enough ice to warrant such expense.
You dont need ice, they grip better and are less prone to skidding or sliding all the time its below 10° and e get frost and black ice every single year
@@furiousdriving we dont get enough adverse weather to warrant the expense, I just adjust my driving accordingly.
Plus with the amount of vehicles I own, would need a storage unit for the spares and a remortage to buy the all
@@leeneal6969 Ive not been about to adjust enough to get up some hills on summer tyres. When it snows I cant get up the drive even.
I only change this car, not the other 10
As I live in a country with mandated winter tires, maybe I am biased, but as he said in the video, since you are using your summer tires less, you have effectively no extra cost except for the rims (which can be bought cheap second hand), if you wear out the tires before they get too old.
Winter tires in England lol
Really? This country is brought to a halt every year by cars stuck or crashing in relatively mild winter weather. Soon as its below 7c these have more grip than summer tyres
@@furiousdriving You are correct, but regarding that 7 oC magic number that everyone is quoting. It is actually a recommendation to change to winter tyres once the average day temperature drops bellow 7 oC. So the myth that summer tyres in the dry and wet perform worse then winter tyres bellow +7 oC is not true. Even at +1, 2, 3 oC summer tyres outperform winter ones on the dry and wet. You can find tests. But if the average temperature in the day is say +6 oC, it could mean that the morning and evening temperature could fall bellow 0 oC, and for ice (or get snowfall), on which summer tyres are useless on, and those are conditions for the winter tyres.