Introduction
If you drive a Mercedes, BMW or any other continental car, you’ve probably heard this comment before:
“Continental cars always leak one.”
But why do continental cars leak more often than Japanese or Korean cars?
At TT Motorsport, we service hundreds of continental vehicles every month and yes, oil and coolant leaks are one of the most common issues we see. Here’s the real reason behind it.
1. High Engine Temperatures Lead to Faster Wear
Continental engines, especially turbocharged ones, naturally run hotter than most Asian models. Combine that with Singapore’s hot climate, and you get:
- Faster degradation of rubber seals.
- Hardening of plastic components.
- Premature cracking of hoses.
- Pressure buildup in the cooling system.
This is one of the biggest reasons for both oil and coolant leaks.
2. Rubber & Plastic Components of Continental Car Degrade Over Time
A large part of leak issues in continental cars is due to the degradation of rubber and plastic components.
These include:
🟡 Oil system parts on Continental Car
- Valve cover gasket
- Oil filter housing seal
- Oil cooler gasket
- Front & rear crank seals
- Turbo oil feed/return lines
🔵 Cooling system parts on Continental Car
- Radiator hoses
- Thermostat housing
- Water pump seals
- Expansion tank (plastic)
- Coolant flange & connectors
When these components age, they shrink, harden, or crack will leading to leaks.
3. Longer Service Intervals for Continental Car (Compared to Asian Cars)
Continental manufacturers often recommend longer oil change intervals but in Singapore’s hot climate + heavy traffic makes:
- Oil breaks down faster
- Gaskets dry up quicker
- Heat stress increases
This combination makes leaks more likely.
4. How to Prevent Oil and Coolant Leaks for Continental Car
- Shorten oil service interval.
- Replace aging rubber and plastic parts early.
- Keep the cooling system healthy.
- Check for early symptoms during servicing.
Need Your Mercedes or BMW Checked for Leaks?
TT Motorsport specializes in:
✅ Oil leak repair
✅ Coolant leak diagnosis
✅ Continental car maintenance
✅ Mercedes & BMW servicing
Book a diagnostic with us before a small leak becomes a big repair.
📍 Visit us at http://ttmotorsport.sg
