wody

the last few days ive been getting "check coolant refer to manual" message. I decided to check and the level seems low. i have 4k miles on the car. is it normal for coolant to do down drastically like that? any tip is appreciated.
Thanks

GBlansten

The best tip anyone can give you is to use the search feature on this subforum. You will find that this issue like many with our cars is very, very common.

Some other pro-tips:

1. The rear tires will likely only last 5-7 K miles
2. You may get a low oil message.
3. You may get a low tire pressure message.

https://mbworld.org/forums/search.php?searchid=6136209

Jons95c36amg

You forgot to mention low gas light.

GBlansten

I love when it means business and turns to red. That happens about ten seconds after the reserve light comes on.

Jons95c36amg

It got low once that the gas icon on the dash stayed there even if you pressed any button.

wody

thanks for the input fellas.

C63newdude

It is common. It happened to me at first while the car was parked in my garage ramp. Sometimes the level of the coolant is not even and it triggers the coolant light.

obsidian05e55

Mine does this when I gets really cold outside. A few times I left my car outside, when I started it, I got the low coolant message. Coolant was not low. Now I just dont drive it in the winter.

xiaobingan

I had same problem, just go to dealer they will top it up for u !

Yuille36

If your coolant has more water then antifreeze, the water portion could be freezing up causing the low coolant light to appear. The next time this happens check your coolant tank at startup. If it is in fact low, then you confirmed the issue. When the engine is warmed up, the level will return to normal again. Take it to Mercedes, they will be glad to fill it up at no charge to you.

Interwebz

Distilled water costs about a dollar at the grocery store. Have a gallon jug in your garage.. add a cup or two when the light comes on and you're good to go.

wody

appreciate the comments. I need to go to the dealer this weekend anyways.. I will check with them to see if it is infact low or not. thanks again

wody

took it to the dealer and they topped it off for me. no more message! thanks

PatSC23

So i have used distilled water on occasion when I get the warning, but at some point I would think you need to actually put coolant in.

Is there any specific coolant for our car?

ATL_MB

Just get it from the dealer.

Yuille36

I take my car to the dealer just so they can top off my coolant, brake, power steering, oil and wiper fluid for free. Work the system, don't let the system work you.

propain

Tips they should have put in the owners manual:

First 4K miles:

• Add 1 quart of 0W40 Oil
• Change rear tires
• Add more coolant

Next 4K miles:

• Add 2 Quarts of 0W40 Oil
• Change all 4 tires
• Add more coolant

Go to first 4K miles: Repeat

PatSC23

Waiting just isnt fun for me - especially for trivial things like oil, wiper fluid, coolant etc. Oil is $7, wiper fluid $4 and coolant $13 for a big jug. Yea I know it adds up, but I also paid $70k for this car, so antoher $25 wont kill me. Im not bashin people that go or saying my time is more valuable, but I dont drive to work so stoping by dealer isnt really an option. Its more like a Saturday thing, and Id rather sleep, workout or wash the ride. I will probably just go Friday to pick up some MB (repackaged) coolant unless someone heres knows the exact "over the counter" coolant I can get at Pep Boys or Autozone. I went through some old posts and I saw a few things listed, but as always there are multiple options and I cant seem to pinpoint the exact one. The Zerex one alone has a couple options.

Mort

I have a jug of the MB 325.1 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent mixed 50/50 with tap water (well water at that) that I use.

The MB product should be compatible with any Ethylene Glycol / Aluminum Compatible labeled anticorrosion/antifreeze product that you can find at your local car parts store.

PatSC23

wait just to be clear - if i get the MB product all i need to do is mix 50/50 with distilled water correct? Are you just saying it is safe to mix in case you have something else already in the well?

Mort

Yes, if you are a little **** then use distilled water to mix with the MB Coolant. You can then sleep better at night. I have been mixing mine with whatever tap water I have access to and have never had a problem. I would feel bad recommending that and someone else having a problem so it is recommended to use distilled water to mix with the coolant.

Well water generally has a lot of different minerals dissolved in it, depending on the location and more so than public water systems. Having said that, distilled water should have no minerals in it but will have the propensity to leach certain minerals from its location to reach a balance for than mineral in solution. This means that distilled water can potentially leach certain minerals from the engine to reach that balance for those minerals in solution. I am not a chemist but I would not worry about it for all practical purposes and just us distilled water to mix with if possible.