When to change coolant
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
When to change coolant
According to the manual, MB coolant should be change every 150K miles or 15 years.
My coolant was changed when the dealership replaced the water pump back in Oct-2011 (65K miles ago). I am going to the indie to replace the transmission coolant lines next week and I was wondering if I should replace the coolant as well.
My coolant was changed when the dealership replaced the water pump back in Oct-2011 (65K miles ago). I am going to the indie to replace the transmission coolant lines next week and I was wondering if I should replace the coolant as well.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Did they actually do a full rain and refill or just drain and refill enough to replace the pump? I'd probably stick to the maintenance schedule and not count that work as an actual fluid change.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
Also, my indie replaced the coolant back on Sept-2009.
maybe I should get some Mb coolant but not sure if my indie has distillled water. How much coolant should I buy? One of my friends told me that he saw in a dealership that they just used tap water to mix the coolant.
Last edited by mis3; May 28, 2016 at 12:24 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
Buy MB coolant, they sell it in 1.5 liter bottles at my dealer. Other types do not have the appropriate anti-corrosive properties for the particular metal combinations of these engines. Only use distilled water. The ions in tap water will precipitate in the engine. I bought 3 bottles (4.5L) but I think 4 would be better.
Distilled water is cheap. If you want to get 99% of it out the easy way- drain the radiator, refill with distilled water only, drive a day, repeat 3-4 times and then drain and refill with MB coolant and distilled water. No need to find the block drain plug and hope it undoes without breaking and reseals properly.
Distilled water is cheap. If you want to get 99% of it out the easy way- drain the radiator, refill with distilled water only, drive a day, repeat 3-4 times and then drain and refill with MB coolant and distilled water. No need to find the block drain plug and hope it undoes without breaking and reseals properly.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
I just checked. Walmart Canada sells the gallon format of premix Zerex G05 for $18CAN. The dealership sells the pure one for $29CAN per gallon. When the time comes, I will check with my indie if he prefers the pure or premix one.
Actually, I asked because I was confused. I thought the transmission coolant lines carried antifreeze. These coolant lines actually carry ATF so my coolant is probably fine. It was changed 4.5 years ago.
Thanks guys. I learned something again.
Actually, I asked because I was confused. I thought the transmission coolant lines carried antifreeze. These coolant lines actually carry ATF so my coolant is probably fine. It was changed 4.5 years ago.
Thanks guys. I learned something again.
Last edited by mis3; May 28, 2016 at 06:13 PM.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 288
From: New Zealand
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
8 Oddball Mercedes Ideas That Actually Made it to Production
Verdad Gallardo
Dubai Tuner Gives the Mercedes G-Class An Entirely New Look
Verdad Gallardo
Six Gift Ideas Your AMG Loving Dad or Grad Will Cherish
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
By compatible, does it mean that if I have to add coolant, I can add Xerex G05 to MB coolant?
I read that ATF can be mixed as long as they are ATF134. I only use MB ATF because I could not find any alternative in Canada. Also, MB has dropped their price of ATF from $21CAN per litre to less than $12CAN (no idea why but nice surprise).
I read that ATF can be mixed as long as they are ATF134. I only use MB ATF because I could not find any alternative in Canada. Also, MB has dropped their price of ATF from $21CAN per litre to less than $12CAN (no idea why but nice surprise).
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Yes, you can mix Zerex G-05 with MBZ coolant. I can't find it now, but there is a good post in the forums about this. Basically, you can't mix plain old ethylene glycol, but the chemical used in the G-05 is the same as what MBZ uses.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 10
2004 CLK320
Thanks Redeney for the clarifications.
I will not change the coolant this time. Since I will be changing the transmission coolant lines next week, I am looking for something to check or replace in the vicinity of these coolant lines.
I will not change the coolant this time. Since I will be changing the transmission coolant lines next week, I am looking for something to check or replace in the vicinity of these coolant lines.
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 15 years only applies to cars with a silica gel sacket in the surge tank or a radiator tank to top up silicates. The Long Life HOAT formulation Benz uses will go at least 8 years without silicate top up. As long as the coolant remains clear & bright it is fine. Any cloudiness & it should be changed!
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
It could be a bad coolant level sensor, but it could also be a wiring problem. The coolant level sensor and the windshield washer fluid pump and level sensor are somehow wired in series. If you disconnect the windshield washer fluid pump, you will get a coolant level error.
