Coolant warning
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 156
Likes: 7
2014 GL 350 Bluetec
Coolant warning
I have been on vacation for 2 weeks and drove my GL 10 hours to get to my destination. Almost every day since I've been here I've had a warning light pop up on the dash saying, "Check coolant levels." So the first day I panicked thinking the thing was low and ran out to buy some antifreeze. Get home, open the hood and check the level and it's almost full. I also then read that you have to add special MB coolant anyway. Does me no good even if I needed to add it because I'm on Nantucket, MA and there are no MB dealerships! Plus the car is 11 months old and never heard of one running out so fast. So anyway, was wondering if anyone else has had this light come on before and had the level at a normal range? I will be taking it in next week once I get home for an oil change and will ask them too but just thought I would ask since I'm out of town. It's a Diesel too if that matters.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 9
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C320 4MATIC WAGON
Nice ride, dude.
The same thing has happened to me with my C320 4MATIC wagon--light comes on, coolant within correct amount.
Have you checked your windshield washer fluid level lately? I swear to God--once I refilled the wiper fluid reservoir I no longer had check coolant issues again--the sensors must be linked somehow.
The same thing has happened to me with my C320 4MATIC wagon--light comes on, coolant within correct amount.
Have you checked your windshield washer fluid level lately? I swear to God--once I refilled the wiper fluid reservoir I no longer had check coolant issues again--the sensors must be linked somehow.
Last edited by Missykins; Jul 16, 2014 at 05:46 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 107
From: SoCal
2018 AMG GTR, 2017 GLS63, 2019 C63s
I have been on vacation for 2 weeks and drove my GL 10 hours to get to my destination. Almost every day since I've been here I've had a warning light pop up on the dash saying, "Check coolant levels." So the first day I panicked thinking the thing was low and ran out to buy some antifreeze. Get home, open the hood and check the level and it's almost full. I also then read that you have to add special MB coolant anyway. Does me no good even if I needed to add it because I'm on Nantucket, MA and there are no MB dealerships! Plus the car is 11 months old and never heard of one running out so fast. So anyway, was wondering if anyone else has had this light come on before and had the level at a normal range? I will be taking it in next week once I get home for an oil change and will ask them too but just thought I would ask since I'm out of town. It's a Diesel too if that matters.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
2007 Mercedez Benz GL450
The position of the vehicle can trigger the coolant level if you are driving in a hillside, I have this message too when I'm driving coming from the beach towards the mountain area. Just in case you do have a low coolant level and want to be safe, using a distilled water are better than using a wrong type of fluid. Just make sure top off with MB star coolant once you get home.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 110
From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
Car sat out overnight in20s temp....My coolant warning came on on startup.... 4k on the odometer.... I have noticed chalky water spots in the engine bay.
Checked coolant and maybe it is down 1/4 inch.... After checking... The light went out.
Adding to my list.....
Checked coolant and maybe it is down 1/4 inch.... After checking... The light went out.
Adding to my list.....
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
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15 GL550
That isn't the issue. A top off of the main reservoir turns the light off. My light came on with about the same mileage as cyclrder's. I don't have any leaks but I can barely smell antifreeze after pulling into my garage when the engine is hot which makes me think there is a small air leak that is slowly letting some evaporation take place. Not a big deal as long as it doesn't get worse. I added about a cup of pink antifreeze/distilled water and I've been watching the level. If it is evaporating, it is doing it very slowly because I haven't seen a change in about 4 weeks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
I understand that, but I have seen more than a few X166 (GL550) models with low auxiliary reservoirs. Most owners have no idea that a second coolant reservoir even exists under the engine cowling.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 947
Likes: 110
From: NYC
18 E63s Wagon 15 GL63 (sold), 10 Turbo TT MT, A36 Bonanza, 20 JLU Rubicon
I too have smelled the traces of antifreeze...... But the chalky residue on the left side of the top engine bays makes me wonder.....
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
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GL 350 blue tec
Would appreciate advice!
We bought a GL350 BlueTec in late September. We arrived in NH yesterday and and parked outside overnight (so, cold). I came out this morning and the Check Coolant Level light is on. I checked, and if I am reading the right thing as the indicator, it is maybe two inches below that level. There is no dealership anywhere near here and since it's New Year's Day, auto parts stores are closed. I freely admit I know nothing about cars and have no idea whether this car can be driven without hurting the engine. Should I add some distilled water, as described earlier in this thread? I can't get MB-approved coolant before driving back to MA and don't know how to find out whether other brands are ok (I've googled and not found anything that seems like a reliable source.) Is this not actually a big deal? Why would I need to add coolant when the car is only a few months old? I haven't seen any puddles or evidence of leaks in the garage. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 355
From: USA - Minnesota
2014 GL350
We bought a GL350 BlueTec in late September. We arrived in NH yesterday and and parked outside overnight (so, cold). I came out this morning and the Check Coolant Level light is on. I checked, and if I am reading the right thing as the indicator, it is maybe two inches below that level. There is no dealership anywhere near here and since it's New Year's Day, auto parts stores are closed. I freely admit I know nothing about cars and have no idea whether this car can be driven without hurting the engine. Should I add some distilled water, as described earlier in this thread? I can't get MB-approved coolant before driving back to MA and don't know how to find out whether other brands are ok (I've googled and not found anything that seems like a reliable source.) Is this not actually a big deal? Why would I need to add coolant when the car is only a few months old? I haven't seen any puddles or evidence of leaks in the garage. Thanks!
Stop at the next MB dealer and have them add a bit when you have a chance in the next few weeks.
Last edited by cadetdrivr; Jan 1, 2015 at 02:29 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 814
Likes: 9
15 GL550
We bought a GL350 BlueTec in late September. We arrived in NH yesterday and and parked outside overnight (so, cold). I came out this morning and the Check Coolant Level light is on. I checked, and if I am reading the right thing as the indicator, it is maybe two inches below that level. There is no dealership anywhere near here and since it's New Year's Day, auto parts stores are closed. I freely admit I know nothing about cars and have no idea whether this car can be driven without hurting the engine. Should I add some distilled water, as described earlier in this thread? I can't get MB-approved coolant before driving back to MA and don't know how to find out whether other brands are ok (I've googled and not found anything that seems like a reliable source.) Is this not actually a big deal? Why would I need to add coolant when the car is only a few months old? I haven't seen any puddles or evidence of leaks in the garage. Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Central Pa.
2013 GL450 (traded for 2015 Escalade), 2012 Corvette, 2014 Ford Fusion, Previous: 2007 GL450, 2011
Don't worry about it---you are just barely low enough to trigger the sensor and the system is quite sensitive, IMHO. I'd still keep an eye on to insure there are not drastic level changes, but at the current level you are fine.
Stop at the next MB dealer and have them add a bit when you have a chance in the next few weeks.
Stop at the next MB dealer and have them add a bit when you have a chance in the next few weeks.
Perfect advice....been there and done that ...as they say!
