Low Coolant indicator
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
Low Coolant indicator
So I can't find posts in the w203 forum on this which is strange.
I recently had a "low coolant level" warning pop up on my dash.
Is it normal for these cars to need the coolant topped off? Where is my coolant going?
Do I need to get MB fluid from the dealer or can I use something else?
I recently had a "low coolant level" warning pop up on my dash.
Is it normal for these cars to need the coolant topped off? Where is my coolant going?
Do I need to get MB fluid from the dealer or can I use something else?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Saab 900 SE
Yes cars can get low on coolant, no its not normal, your coolant is going into a place thats not your cooling system, prob leak or you have a head issue, and yes MB coolant is always recommended/ preferred.
Subarus are known for eating oil and its considered normal, I wouldnt freak you have an 07, just take it in, should still have a warr.
No worries
Subarus are known for eating oil and its considered normal, I wouldnt freak you have an 07, just take it in, should still have a warr.
No worries
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
make sure it's not just your windshield washer fluid either.
the windshield washer fluid and coolant sensors run on the same circuit. it's not uncommon for the w203 to give a coolant warning when the windshield washer fluid is out. take a look at it.
the windshield washer fluid and coolant sensors run on the same circuit. it's not uncommon for the w203 to give a coolant warning when the windshield washer fluid is out. take a look at it.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
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Saab 900 SE
Why would it do that? I had a c55 for the day and when it ran out of wiper fluid it said "low wiper fluid" with a picture of the sprayer in the display, and never displayed a "low coolant" is that a malfunction if it says "low coolant" when its wiper fluid or just an odd quirk for what year you used to have?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,537
Likes: 8
2006 C350 Sport 6MT
So I can't find posts in the w203 forum on this which is strange.
I recently had a "low coolant level" warning pop up on my dash.
Is it normal for these cars to need the coolant topped off? Where is my coolant going?
Do I need to get MB fluid from the dealer or can I use something else?
I recently had a "low coolant level" warning pop up on my dash.
Is it normal for these cars to need the coolant topped off? Where is my coolant going?
Do I need to get MB fluid from the dealer or can I use something else?
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Why would it do that? I had a c55 for the day and when it ran out of wiper fluid it said "low wiper fluid" with a picture of the sprayer in the display, and never displayed a "low coolant" is that a malfunction if it says "low coolant" when its wiper fluid or just an odd quirk for what year you used to have?
It's not an odd quirk and it's not uncommon.
I assume that it was an imaginary C55 too, right?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
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Saab 900 SE
Not spreading crap Im asking questions your just being a dick, because your 5 and cant get over some **** that happened month ago, that only matter to you and your small minded buddies, really grow up, have a beef take it to a PM and stop being a 5 year old and trying to say I miss inform some one when I didnt even say I knew for fact and even ASKED YOU, if it was a weird thing for your year, because my car and the other W203 I drove DO NOT, display the behavior described by the OP.
Last edited by AdidasC230; Nov 10, 2010 at 10:46 PM.
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Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
Likes: 58
From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
No it was a valid question, and no It was at a dealer lot and I test drove it, and remember seeing the wiper fluid thing, its not mis information I ASKED YOU, if it was correct or not
Not spreading crap Im asking questions your just being a dick, because your 5 and cant get over some **** that happened month ago, that only matter to you and your small minded buddies, really grow up, have a beef take it to a PM and stop being a 5 year old and trying to say I miss inform some one when I didnt even say I knew for fact and even ASKED YOU, if it was a weird thing for your year, because my car and the other W203 I drove DO NOT, display the behavior described by the OP.
Not spreading crap Im asking questions your just being a dick, because your 5 and cant get over some **** that happened month ago, that only matter to you and your small minded buddies, really grow up, have a beef take it to a PM and stop being a 5 year old and trying to say I miss inform some one when I didnt even say I knew for fact and even ASKED YOU, if it was a weird thing for your year, because my car and the other W203 I drove DO NOT, display the behavior described by the OP.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...on-needed.html
Now, for insulting me and being a nuisance on the forum...
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 720
Likes: 0
Saab 900 SE
Adidas, stop acting like you know everything. You haven't had this car long enough to know what you're talking about, nor have you been on this board long enough.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...on-needed.html
Now, for insulting me and being a nuisance on the forum...
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...on-needed.html
Now, for insulting me and being a nuisance on the forum...
And I dont claim to know everything, I do know that all our cars have fiber optics sterios AND that there is a "low wiper fluid" warning message, sue me for mentioning that.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 1
05 c230k 6spd
I've had the Check Coolant Level message display all the time on my car but didnt know what the proper level of the coolant in the bottle was suppose to be since I got the car used. I beleive it should be filled to the top right under the black portion. I used Zerex G-05 (bought at NAPA) which is fine for our cars. Message does not come on anymore.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
For the record, my sensor went bad. As already discussed, it's the same one for the windshield washer fluid as well. Don't know why, but I gave up on trying to understand the electronics of this car a long time ago (for example, when going uphill last night, all of my warning lights came on for one sec- no ill effects afterwards or anything, just totally weird).
So if you're already topped up for coolant, and it's giving you the warning, don't eliminate the problem being the sensor itself.
So if you're already topped up for coolant, and it's giving you the warning, don't eliminate the problem being the sensor itself.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 19,942
Likes: 192
From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
The one warning for low washer fluid/coolant was only rectified on the very last W203's produced. Most cars will give the same warning for both conditions. Sorry - I have the VIN number change somewhere but my crap filing system has me beat!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
Is the sensor issue something the dealer can fix?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 24
From: Boston, MA
'14 ML350, '13 C220 CDI, '07 C280, '98 ML320
Sure, the dealer can fix anything... by replacing all the related components 
Top off both fluids and check the connectors for both sensors. If that doesn't resolve the issue, the corresponding sensor may need to be replaced. It shouldn't be much work to replace the sensor.
Top off both fluids and check the connectors for both sensors. If that doesn't resolve the issue, the corresponding sensor may need to be replaced. It shouldn't be much work to replace the sensor.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 333
Likes: 2
From: NYC
2007 C280 4Matic
I topped off the wiper fluid during lunch, I still have both errors. I'm weary of topping off the coolant just because it needs mixed MB only fluid, and if I'm leaking fluid its a leak I want found. Lets hope I don't get laughed at by the dealer for not just adding water.
I meant will they be able to fix the faulty error condition, or is this just something I need to be aware of (after they replace the sensor or whatever's needed).
I meant will they be able to fix the faulty error condition, or is this just something I need to be aware of (after they replace the sensor or whatever's needed).
