Mercedes models were designed and built with performance and elegance in mind. Driving a Mercedes is an experience that is unforgettable, smooth, and safe every time. Part of the safety and security Mercedes vehicles offer is the door locking mechanisms. Mercedes designed a vacuum door lock technology that is featured on all their vehicles. This article goes into detail of how this door lock technology works, what can cause it to fail, and where to go to fix it.
The Vacuum Door Lock Technology
The vacuum door lock technology was patented by Mercedes and involves using pressure to lock all of the doors at the same time. This pressure is created by a vacuum-based mechanism.
In addition to locking the doors, this technology is used as an antitheft device. As you can see, the door lock technology serves two different but equally important purposes. When the door lock is engaged, all the locks are simultaneously pressurized and remain pressurized until the master lock is released. This prevents anyone from trying to pry their way into your Mercedes.
This door lock technology has been so successful and relatively fail-safe because the system does not contain any electrical components. This means that there is no way for any type of electrical theft device to be used to unlock the doors.
With that being said, there is the chance that mechanical failure can occur, and this will release the vacuum pressure that is required to keep the doors locked.
Reasons Behind Door Lock Failure
Having a door lock system that properly functions is necessary to keep your belongings securely inside your Mercedes and to prevent theft of your car. The best way to do this is by knowing the reasons behind door lock failure. The door lock system is made up of many parts that need to work together to remain in optimal condition. So, unfortunately, there are a few reasons why the door lock can fail.
The first reason is pump failure. The pump is located underneath the passenger’s seat and is responsible for moving the air that is required for the vacuum locking system. When the pump fails, the entire door lock system fails. If there is no air moving through the system, then the doors will not lock when directed.
The second reason that door lock failure can occur is an actuator leak. Every door has an actuator that aids in the actual locking of the door. Once the air is pumped and pressurized, the actuator uses this air to engage the lock. If there is a leak in the actuator, air escapes, and not enough is left in the system to lock the doors. In most cases, it is simpler to replace the actuator as opposed to repairing it. Although depending on the situation, repair may be the way to go.
The third reason for door lock failure is system aging. The longer you have your Mercedes, the more wear and tear to the door lock system. This system is made mostly out of plastic so, over time, it will deteriorate and become dry and brittle. This will lead to cracks and leaks. This damage then leads to the failure of the actuator and the pump.
Addressing the Door Lock Failure
When it comes to the vacuum door lock system, each part is easily located by a trained technician. As previously stated, the pump is under the passenger 
seat and each door has the actuator near the door lock. So when you bring in your Mercedes for door lock failure, the mechanic knows exactly where to look.
To find the best mechanic for the job, turn to us at Turning Wrenches in Louisville, KY. We specialize in European vehicles so you can be well assured that our technicians are trained and certified in all things Mercedes. We inspect all vehicles with the latest and most up to date technology to diagnose the source of the issue. From there, high-quality parts are used to make the necessary repairs.
If for any reason we need to hold on to your vehicle for a few hours, we offer rental vehicles or Uber rides at highly competitive rates. This way, you are not inconvenienced while we take care of your Mercedes. You will be back on the road in no time with a vehicle that securely locks. We look forward to becoming your Mercedes service center for your future needs.