injunwiz

I just installed a new thermostat I bought from FCP Euro on my E550. All good on the install, but my antifreeze is green. I have read the posts about mixing colors, etc. but this car has always been dealer serviced since new and the B service was done just 2 months ago. I have owned the car for 2 years, but all the service records since new show dealer serviced. I am now low on coolant and not sure what to use to top it up. The dealers are closed today. Am I safe adding just distilled water for now and driving it for a day or two? The weather is in the 60's now and will get to about 38 for the low. I really think I should change it out to the "blue" antifreeze which I see is also called G48. With that all said, the 2nd question is in the title, is Zerex G48 the same as MB blue antifreeze? I wonder why the dealers left green in it and never changed it to blue. I am assuming I can flush it and switch to the blue at home and be good to go. I started the car up after the thermostat change and no leaks so drove it appox 2 miles from my shop to the house with the add coolant message on the dash. The temp gauge never went over 80 before I made it home. Thanks in advance! PS: I have some Zerex G5 already that I use in my Magnum, but I think it is yellow if I recall...

injunwiz

I might have jumped the gun too soon as I found this MB bulletin:

https://www.benzworld.org/attachment...1-pdf.2212170/

With that being said, can I add G05 safely or should I stick with just distilled water to be safe? I sure don't want to have the mixed antifreeze problems! I still think I should flush and change to the blue Zerex G48 later, right?

injunwiz

Me again, I found this as well on the forum:

MB USA changed the coolants about 10 years ago.
The new blue is mixable with old in pee color.
But the results will come green, what can be confusing. I would flush the system at least twice with distilled water.

Is this why mine is green?

ghlkal

You will be fine topping it up with distilled water. Even if the temps dropped below freezing, you still have a lot of antifreeze in the system.

I know MB changed coolant specs in 2014. I have a 2012. I'm sorry but I can't remember what color the coolant it.