Coolants - Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Operator's Manual

Coolants

The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/anti-freeze, which
provides:
•
corrosion protection
•
freeze protection
•
boiling protection (by increasing
the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the
factory with a coolant providing freeze
protection to approx. -22 °F (-30 °C) and
corrosion protection.
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. You should have it replaced
every 3 years.
To provide the important corrosion
protection, the solution must be at least
45% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equals a
freeze protection to approx. -22 °F
[-30 °C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approx. -49 °F
[-45°C]), the engine temperature will
increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anti-corrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB anticorrosion/antifreeze should be
used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs
of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must
meet minimum requirements, which are
usually satisfied by normal drinking
water. If you are not sure about the
water quality, consult your authorized
Mercedes-Benz dealer.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant used in such engines
be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such
anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened
service life.)
Therefore the following product is
strongly recommended for use in your
car: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent.
Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in the hot southern regions),
you should have the anticorrosion/
antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each
time you bring your vehicle to your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for
maintenance service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
143