C300Sport

I haven't owned an American car since my 1989 Pontiac, which by the way never gave me any problems. Anyhow, take a look at any of the rating services like JD Power, etc and you can see the US Companies have made greater improvements than all but the Koreans...Now if they will just declare bankruptcy and get rid of thier baggage....

GM19692000

I disagree with the previous poster, I have owned many American cars (pre 1989) that NEVER left me stranded or gave any more problems than normal maintenance. this MB is starting to royally make me upset. there's no mechanical problems to speak of but the electrical gremlins this thing has are Unreal!!!! I think the problem is that the American cars have had electrical options since the late 1940's, the Europeans only started to really get involved with "comfort options" in the mid-late '80's and therefore have not fully engineered these options before launching them. Also, the options get more and more complex as time goes on, anyone ever see the self parking Cadillac on the road??? No, probably because of too many such gremlins. Mercedes has always been a great car, but since 2004 they have been going downhill in their quality, even in the S class cars. Having owned the older and newer generation S class cars there is a significant difference in build quality. Anyway, getting to the point of this coolant problem. These cars come with a sealed cooling system, they should not need to be "topped up" for a long time, therefore there must be some sort of defect in this system.


D

Carsy

Hot coolant expands .Cold coolant contracts. Extra cold coolant contacts a little more. Simply most problems with alarming will be solved with the addition of a little coolant to the "expansion" bottle. By the way a certain amount of coolant ,even in a "closed" system especially at 90 'C plus will evaporate over a period of time. The problem it seems to me is that the owners are too bone idle to check & add a little coolant but rather winge about it on line.

Caperone

I've got the message after a week at -40 (didn't use the car) and since then, the message appears every time I start the car, even when the weather is warm. And the car was 2 weeks old.

So after reading this thread, I'll just stop worrying about it.

Carsy

Before you stop worrying about it why not check the coolant level in your coolant expansion tank & add a little if it is low.

atiqa

This might sound like a silly question but can any of you guys instruct me on how to check and add coolant to the car?

2dino

try this:
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...d13e30419.html

Carsy

Open the bonnet ( hood)& remove plastic engine cover.

Find the coolant reservoir.Mine is an oval black plastic bottle located on the drivers side .( RHD)

Screw off the top & check level . Should be about 1/2 an inch above the bottom of sensor. ( reservoir about half full).

Top up with MB coolant . Mine required diluting with 50% demineralised water.

The above details are for the 220CDI Diesel. The US petrol vehicles may be different.

A US resident on the forum should confirm these instructions.

Caperone

Of course I checked.

But if it's a common trouble that the sensor is lame, why worry?

atiqa

Thanks so much. I think my issue is that I don't know how to remove the plastic engine cover, so I can't get past step 1, lol. Is it screwed in?

Quadcammer

The car takes about 3.5 gallons (I believe its about 15 quarts) of coolant.

The level dropping 2 inches in the expansion tank is not even close to 1/4 or 1/3 of the total coolant level.

Carsy

My black plastic engine cover ( 220 CDI) is held down by four rubber cups. To remove it is just a matter of carefully lifting the cover at the corners. US owners please confirm this is so with your petrol engines.

delirium

mine came up too, i just added some prestone & it hasnt shown up again.

dragonii

Well, had only the messages when temperatures were negative. Didn't had it since temperatures have risen. Probably a contraction problem with the coolant liquid so, IMO, no urgent need to visit the dealer.

You, in another hand, I would look for the cause of the message you're getting...

Carsy

Hey, Any US or Canadian gentleman going to help this forum member check the coolant level.

acr2001

You added WHAT?

2005+ c classes (w203/204) have a very special coolant system with a 15 year life. This is achieved with a special gel pack inside the coolant reservoir that adds chemicals to the coolant over time.

You can only use MB coolant (or Zerex G-05 which is the same thing, just not MB branded.) Prestone is a totally different formula and is likely to cause problems in the long run being mixed with Zerex.

jstaneff

Driving in Victoria BC this weekend, my C gave me the Coolant message. It was warm (70 F or so) so the message was "real." This morning I stopped into the MB dealer there and had the car checked. All they did was add water. Tap water. The SA said that was the best thing to add because adding some other anti-freeze formula would be "mixing chemicals" and bad for the car.

I put over 200 miles on it today after that without problems. But, I will have to have the coolant checked before winter to ensure I can drive it in 0F weather.

Carsy

My thoughts are that the dealer is very slack putting tap water into your coolant. At least it should have been distilled or demineralised water. A decent dealer would have added the recommended MB coolant & charged you.
The good thing is that it was probably only a few fluid oz.& should not have any detrimental effects.
As this model seems to be sensitive about the coolant level I would recommend a small keeping a small container of ready to add MB coolant in the boot or check your level before leaving town.

cr1t1icalm4ss

Do you have to use MB coolant?? Anyone know if I can get coolant from walmart or autozone? which kind?

Thanks in advance.

Carsy

Your are a hard man .
I strongly recommend buying your coolant from the MB dealer. You will use so little so the cost is not a factor & you will be sure that it is not adding any chemicals that are not compatable. Make sure that you dilute it, if required ,to the correct consistency with demineralised water.
Having the incorrect Ph & corrosion inhibitors in your coolant water can cause expensive problems with your radiator , head & block.

My 220 CDI does not require a coolant change for 15 years or 250,000 km so the correct top up is most important.

Geoff000

Hi Guys,

I had the same message appear on my C350CDi this week. My car is only a month old. Dropped into the dealer and my coolant wasn't down. They said keep an eye on it as it could be a faulty sensor. Has only happened once and not in the last few days!..

cr1t1icalm4ss

where do you buy it? Im assuming this is the stuff right here gold bottle...

http://www.valvoline.com/products/co.../antifreeze/42

acr2001

Yes that is it. Buy it online!! 1 bottle is going to last you for 15 years (which is the coolant change interval)!

cr1t1icalm4ss

I tried searching google/yahoo. Anyone point me in the direction of a reputable website?

Also, I tried using price.com , pricegrabber etc.

no luck...

cr1t1icalm4ss

Can someone please post where to buy ZEREX online.

Thank you