Notes on coolant - AH20.00-N-2080-01A

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK350 and 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK350. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

All engines

Coolant composition

Passenger car and commercial vehicle engines (normally): 50% water by volume and 50% anticorrosion/antifreeze agent by volume.

A different coolant composition for CV engines, refer to MB Specifications for Operating Fluids .

Tasks of the anticorrosion/antifreeze agent

Corrosion and cavitation protection for all components in cooling system

Antifreeze protection (frost protection)
Increasing the boiling point so that coolant does not evaporate so rapidly. Avoiding ejection of coolant at high coolant temperatures.

Antifreeze protection

50% anticorrosion/antifreeze agent by volume provides antifreeze protection down to approx. -37°C . A higher concentration is only necessary if the ambient temperatures are even lower. 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze agent by volume provides antifreeze protection down to approx. -45°C .

A concentration of more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze agent by volume should not be used as the maximum antifreeze protection is already reached at this concentration. An even higher concentration reduces the antifreeze protection again and impairs heat dissipation. Reduced heat dissipation can result in damage to components of the cooling system and to the engine.

Water

Use water which is clean and not too hard. Drinking water often satisfies requirements, but not always The amount of dissolved substances in the water may be of significance for the occurrence of corrosion. If in doubt, analyze the water.

For fresh water specifications refer to MB Specifications for Operating Fluids .

Operational monitoring of coolant

Inspect the antifreeze protection of the coolant before the start of the cold season.

In countries with high ambient temperatures, inspect concentration of anticorrosion/antifreeze agent once a year. The corrosion protection in the coolant gets depleted during operation. Old coolant for which the corrosion protection is virtually completely exhausted has a very corrosive effect.

Period of use

The maximum permissible period of use of the coolant is given in the maintenance booklet, the applicable "Service/Maintenance Sheet" or the MB-Specifications for Operating Fluids .

For the period of use for a varying coolant composition for CV engines, refer to MB Specifications for Operating Fluids .

Before pouring in fresh coolant, flush the used coolant out of the cooling system.

In the case of severe fouling by dirt or oil, clean the cooling system otherwise components of the cooling system can be damaged.

If drained off coolant is used again it is absolutely essential that the coolant is filtered in the cooling system before being poured in again.

No dirt particles should be allowed to enter the cooling system otherwise damage can occur to components of the cooling system.

Disposing of coolants

Observe the legal provisions and local waste water regulations. The following brochures are available about disposing of waste products in auto repair trade for the location Federal Republic of Germany:

"Environmental protection manual for motor vehicle repair operations"

Publisher: Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V. (VDA) 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Westendstraβe 61 to be ordered under:

Tel no.: 069/97507-0 or at www.vda.de

"The new waste laws"

Publisher: Zentralverband Deutsches Kraftfahrzeuggewerbe e. V. (ZDK)

53129 Bonn, Franz-Lohe-Straβe 21 to be ordered under:

Tel no.: 0261/8059-584, Fax no. 0261/8059-585 or at www.kfzgewerbe.de