hkmitsui

Hi guy, this is my first post ever. I'm sure theres some thread that has this answered but Im still trying to nav thru the site. My dad's 2001 E430 seem to be low on coolant when I looked into the reservoir. Seems to be greenish. Can anyone tell me if i can just go buy any green coolant to top off, or do I need to buy a MB specific coolant? Thanks a lot

Plutoe

Once again check your manual and then do a forum search-------- this topic has been covered ad nausium!!

PS: The MB approved coolant is near colorless----never green!!

hkmitsui

Quick follow up question. I noticed that the top part of my reservoir is black and bottom is clear. Am I wrong that I'm under the impression at the owners manual tells me that if the coolant touches the top of the black section of the reservoir and not the black part of the opening then I should be at the correct amount?

Plutoe

I am somewhat unclear on your point, however if I were checking the coolant level on my car i would follow what was outlined in my owners manual for the correct level!!

RichardM98

There is a small (3/8") square plastic tab molded into the tank. Standing next to the side of the car and looking straight down into the tank it's at the 9 o'clock position. But the upper half / lower half is adequate. It's an expansion tank so any excess will go out the overflow. What's much more important is that the coolant concentration (antifreeze:water) ratio is as close as possible to 50%. Also, the coolant should be flushed every 3 years.

Coolant color is not a reliable indicator of the correct coolant as mfgs don't agree to use the same color. MB coolant is yellow but if someone adds blue coolant the result is green coolant.

hkmitsui

Thanks RichardM98, I checked my tank and it seems that its barely going into the top portion of the expansion tank. I assume that I am good. Thanks for the help, I just thought that the car seems to be running hot.